The kids I babysit are not hyper or anyhting, but they refuse to listen when I enforce my rules. What do i do? i just started babysitting and i need help!!!
2006-12-29 15:43:21 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Them not listening to the rules isn't your fault. It's the parents..obv they aren't doing their fair end of the bargain.
Another point..you should ask the parents IF they do punish and how do they do that. (like sitting in the corner or time out or taking away their toys). I'd recommend making a babysitting chart. Take a poster board, their names, ask the parents if u can keep it in their house if ur going to return. list the days and everytime a child does a no no and doesnt listen to make a check by their name so when the parents come home they will be told. You can say "if you dont listen to me ill put a check by ur name"....for rewards if they listen id go games or bring a bag of candy or something.
2006-12-29 15:49:05 · answer #1 · answered by * Kittles * 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Children are smart. They know who what they can get away with. And they will try! If I were you, I would talk with the parents to inquire what they do these kids fight, and what the parents want you to do if this happens during babysitting. This will give you a good idea of how the kids are trained by the parents, what works and what doesn't. Also you will have the parents' support in this matter. Secondly, bored kids always create more fuss. If you can find out what their incentives are, you can introduce a visual reward system, ie. if they do things you asked, they get a star, and if they get 5 stars, it will qualify them for something special. etc. I have a 3 & 5 year old and this reward system works like a wonder - plus when they get their reward their self-esteem goes up and they just 'love' you! Hope this is helpful!
2016-03-29 00:29:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
before I babysit for anyone, I go visit them and meet the children and parents in their own home and see how they interact. I ask my questions and get to know the family then. Every family usually goes over the rules with food, bedtime, discipline, tv, etc. You should make sure you have a clear understanding between you, the children and the parents before the parents leave. Most parents ask me to enforce a time-out for bad behavior, lasting the amount of minutes equal to the child's age. A three year old would be in time out for three minutes, etc.
2006-12-29 16:29:58 · answer #3 · answered by cutie pie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can not make children listen to your rules. Heck, it 's a feat to make kids follow rules. Here's the best thing that you should do: impose reward system, i.e., give them a treat if they behave nicely (a candy will do). Make sure that you show them what they'd get if they're good boy/girl.
By the way, don't forget to tell them to brush their teeth after eating all those treats. You don't want the parents blaming you for cavities. Okay?
2006-12-29 15:56:50 · answer #4 · answered by Angela 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
each situation is unique of course but a good rule of thumb is to make the child/children decide their own fate. for example: "I have asked you once to do ____ and you have not. You decide if you will do as I ask or have a time out/go to your room/turn the television off/some other form of reprecussion previously decided by their parents" the child will almost always choose to do as they have been asked rather than suffer the consequences....and if they dont, be sure to follow through! but definitely discuss with the parents their chosen forms of punishment and be sure that it is something you are comfortable with
2006-12-29 15:52:33 · answer #5 · answered by info seeker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beat their ***!!! Oh, I'm sorry. Is that a bit exreme? LOL. Hey, my friends know that if their child is in my posession for the evening, they are going to be living by my rules. Really though, I do my best to not have to hit anyone else's kid, trying other measures first such as time out and sticking them in the corner for a couple of minutes or taking away privilages; but if I must, I will spank.
2006-12-29 15:48:09 · answer #6 · answered by reconnermom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have the same problem. You cant make them listen, but you can put them in the time-out chair. If they are 4, then they are in the time-out chair for 4 minutes. When they get mad they might say "You cant tell me what to dd, your not my mom." their right, your not their mom, but simply explain to them that they are right, but their mom left YOU in charge to take care of them while they are out. Try to make everything into a game. if they have to put dirty clothes into the laundry basket, make it into a basketball game. If they insit on hitting each other, have them see who can punch a pillow the most and the hardest instead of hitting each other. Reward them for what they do good. Bring some little toys and games that they like to play with. Be nice to them and dont yell. Tell them the rules and that they have to abide by them and if they dont, then they will be going to the time-out chair. NEVER hit or yell at a child. keep your cool. If you set rules and follow them, but you dont explode on them, and you play with them and are nice, chances are they will like you better and they will listen to you the next time you baby-sit them.
2007-01-02 04:06:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well do what you would do if the child was yours, you reward them with praise and little treats when they are good, when they are bad have them take time out in another room, 1 minute for each year of theyre age, (8 year old = 8 minutes) if they disobey this just keep doing it they will soon give in. don't shout because they will be happy they have got to you then. tell them lovingly but firmly what they have done wrong. time out can be in a corner of a room, on the bottom stair but make sure u stick with it or it wont work, when they misbehave you say " this is your warning for ........... if you do it again you will go to......... for .........minutes of time out!"
2006-12-30 01:34:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old are they? I'd say talk to their mom and make sure she'll back you up and that she's in agreement with your rules. If she isn't willing to require them to obey you when you're there, you're going to have a long road to hoe. I'd suggest you quit and find some nicer kids if you can't get this under control.
2006-12-29 15:47:54 · answer #9 · answered by rcpeabody1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm to be exact if they dont listen dont hit them but do put them in a corner but only for liek 2 min and if they still dont listen go for longer and do that till they listen if they dont stay in the corner then you either tell the parents or quit and find better kids cause u dont need stressed out for just a couple kids
2006-12-29 15:50:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋