Post your babysitting tips Here!!!?

Question

Give some info such as how much you charge, what you do about cranky kids, and more! What's the youngest child you ever babysat? Etc, Etc, Etc.

Tell about personal experiences, emergencies and how you handled them. Tell a little or everything.

Please and thank you!

Serious answers ONLY!

Answer 1

What I charged is probably not accurate anymore because it's been ten years (boy, do I feel old). However, I remember my decade of babysitting well. In terms of emergencies make sure that you always have the poison control number (not that you will ever use it but good to have) and the number to the kids' doctor if the doctor has an afterhours service. In some areas there is an afterhour nurses' line for medical advice. Make sure you always have a number to where the parents are and information on any allergies or medical conditions the children have. Don't hesitate to call the parents if the child takes ill. If the child ever gets really ill or has trouble breathing, don't hesitate to call 911 or the emergency number in your area. It's never a bad idea to take a first aid course. This will make you feel more comfortable knowing that you can deal with emergencies. This is not to scare you - chances are nothing bad is going to happen. It's just good to be prepared.

It's always good to have the parents write a little bit about the child and describe their likes and routines. Try to keep them as close to their normal routines as possible. Sometimes the kids will test you at first. Be gently firm. Give them choices where possible but steer them toward what you want to do. Don't say "Do you want to go to bed?" Trust me they'll say no! Say "Do you want to wear your blue or your red pygamas?" This stops a lot of tantrums before they begin. When kids are cranky, try not to get cranky back. Take a deep breath (count to ten if you have to) and stay calm. Remember, they're just little kids. Try to capitalize on the fact that you're "cool". Schoolage kids will want to hear about dances etc. Just keep it G-rated.

The youngest child I ever babysat was four months. The oldest was about thirteen, but I was careful not to say I was "babysitting" her. The funniest experience I ever had in babysitting was one night after the kids were in bed I was watching "Damian - The Omen II" Very scary movie. In the middle of the scariest part, the power went out. I climbed up the stairs, so freaked out and sat in front of the kids' rooms until the power went out. Funny in retrospect, but I wouldn't advise you to watch scary movies. Have fun with your adventures in babysitting!

I think there is a book by the people who wrote What to Expect When You're Expecting called The Babysitter's Handbook. There would be other books that would be good to read about babysitting or basic child development in the local bookstore and library.

Answer 2

Well payment ranges from about $1.50-$5.00 per kid these days....It really depends on their age; as in how much do you really have to watch them. If you are watching an infant the price you charge should be a little higher, as it is a bigger responsibility and you are qualified. As for tips on cranky kids etc. it all depends on the child and their temperament. First try soothing by holding them rubbing their back, and things like that. If that does not work give them options "well you can go to your room for time out or start being nice and stay and play with me/us", if that does not work try time out/room...if that does not work try bribery, lol...only if nothing else works. And if that all fails contact the parent.
Just a few ideas for keeping them busy are doing indoor picnics or letting them be waiters/waitresses..playing dress up or house. Let them be the babysitter and you the kid. Let yours and their imaginations run wild. Good Luck and have fun :)

Answer 3

I think the rate is between $2.00 and $3.00. The youngest kid i ever babysat was 2 weeks old and now i have 3 kids my self and they are 6,4, and 7 weeks old. I would see if they are tired and if it was a baby i would try to comfort him. But if they are not tired then i would try to play with them. I was babysitting for little boys once and then one of the little boys fell and broke his leg and i was so scared but i carried him in the house and layed him down and i tried my hardest to keep him from not moving and then i called his mom;

Answer 4

oh wow! infant sitting! thats no longer truly my idea of exciting. I truly might want to infant sit down plenty. i love my bro and sis (see my call). yet they're usually a handfull in case you dont do what they prefer!

Answer 5

If they act up?
Hang them on a coat rack by the waist-band for an hour.
If they start crying?
Duct tape!!

Answer 6

I little liquor in baby's bah-bah. You don't want to get the little whipper to wasted, just enough to put them fast asleep.