I need some help with coming up with a plan for babysitting?

Question

I'm 12 years old, and i've completed a red cross babysitting course.
I need some opinions, from peers and parents, about any babysitting tricks or tips, children to watch out for, an acceptable pay rate, what ages i should aim for, if yu could just help me out a bi, that would be great. THX a ton!

ok, and i'm in the US

Answer 1

Hey Congratulations on doing the Red Cross baby sitting Course! I'm sure that will help your chances of finding kids to baby sit. Can you ask a teacher to put a flyer to all the teachers if they neeed babysitters? A lot of teacher's at schools have kids. Also, if you go to church maybe you cna also put it on a bulliten board there? make a flyer with your qualifications and etc.. good luck!

Answer 2

As a mom to a 10 month old and another on the way I'm always looking for a babysitter! Especially a qualified one.

I think you should print out a flier like a resume. Then pass them out around your neighborhood via the mailbox. Or, you could introduce yourself but it's not necessary at all. Also, include some activities or crafts that you could do for age appropriate kids. Keep it simple. Even if it's just those paper dolls :))

The biggest help when I was babysitting was to bring my own bag of tricks. Just a small bag filled with my own toys, books, crayons, coloring books, etc. The kids always loved going through my bag and picking stuff out.

Starting out I would charge no less than $4 or $5 at the most per hour for the first child. As you get more experience you can jump it up. You can decide if you want $1 or $2 for each extra child. If you are uncomfortable working for a family of five mention that in your flier!!

Also, think about if you would want to make sure the kids have dinner or are already fed. It really depends on what ages you are comfortable with. Are you more easy going with a toddler than a small baby you need to feed every 3/4 hours and that can't talk but lays around...and stares at the celing...and cries and cant' tell you why?

Answer 3

Hey! I did that class too! Although, it didn't help me much; I knew everything except medical stuff already. Just putting it into action was hard. I still struggle with being a good babysitter, and I've been doing it for like 5 years. Some people just have a knack for kids. I don't, obviously!

Just make sure at the very beginning that the kids are aware that YOU ARE IN CHARGE! You have boundaries, and don't be scared to punish them if they disobey (put them in "time out" or in their cribs). They will push your buttons and you've gotta stay strong and not tolerate rebellion. I really hate watching kids around 3-5 years old; too big to put in the crib, but small enough to get away with temper tantrums! Babies are ok, if you know how to work with them. At least they can't really do anything...the crib is always there if they throw a fit. Older kids, like 6-10, are good for helping to clean the house or with younger kids, but harder to put to bed or keep in one place (so you can keep an eye on them!) Try not to babysit if you see that the kids are bad or hard to control. If you have to, then as long as they know you have authority, AWESOME!!!

Payment depends on how many and how old the kids are. Babies, charge like $4 an hour, kids 2-4 maybe $5-6 an hour (if they aren't potty-trained or still need a lot of guidance), and kids 5+ $3 an hour. If there are multiple kids, decide what you want for that...anything over $9 is pretty expensive.

One very valuable tip is to clean the people's house while they're gone! Do the dishes, tidy up messy rooms, do laundry, etc (with the kids helping, of course!). They will LOVE you and will keep asking you back. They might pay more too. Oh, that's another thing. Instead of having a steady rate (I don't, because it's too limiting!), just let them know that whatever payment THEY want to pay, is good for you too. They won't be financially burdened, and you'll be surprised every time. If they give you less than you think is right (say, $10 for two kids for 4-5 hours), then you might want to start a normal rate for everyone (& let them know graciously!).

Overall, I'm sorry this is so long. You won't get good just by knowing everything beforehand. It takes experience & time. Don't worry about it. Just have emergency phone numbers, know if the kids have allergic reactions to certain food/medicines, etc etc etc. But have fun, too. Play games with them, read stories (they always love that!), but be strict! Don't let them push you around! Think of it as parenting practice; if you let the kid get away with everything, they will run the house and your life. YOU are the parent, YOU are in charge! Say no, and punish them when they disobey. It will benefit you in indescribable ways later on.

Anyhoo, you'll be fine. If you think you aren't doing well, you'll get better, I promise! Just keep going at it! Hope this helps! ;)

Answer 4

When I started babysitting I passed out flyers in the neighbourhood and gave out references from my friends with little brothers and sisters parents.

Also, in Toronto area I charged $4 or $5 an hour to start.
Age wise, being 12 I would aim for kids 5-9 because they aren't so young that you will be in a panic, and they aren't so old they won't respect you!

My main advise is in the form of a story: I managed to be hired by this family with 4 children age 1, 3, 6, and 8. The 1 year old was in bed sleeping and they were told not to wake her. So they refused to listen to me, woke up the baby, refused to go to bed, and eventually fell asleep watching movies at midnight. They were the worst behaved brats I had ever seen! I never set a price with the parents before hand, since in my area everyone was paid a standard $4-5/hour in general, but they only paid me $2 an hour!

My advise: before getting a client, ask if you can hang out for an hour one afternoon, or talk to people that know them. Set a price ahead of time. Don't be afraid to say no to the next job.

Answer 5

I am 13 and have been babysitting for the last couple of years. The thing that i learned is to keep my patience and make sure that you have someone that you can contact in case of an emergency, like your parents, the parents of the child, anyone that will be able to help you. I have never once told anybody a certain price that i pay. I just take what they give me and i am happy with that. Good Luck♥

Answer 6

Try to start in your own neighborhood. You are pretty young, and most of the people who hire you will want to assure that your parents are home or accessible in the event of some problems.

I think you will make more money if you just set a "whatever I'm worth to you" price. When the parents come back home, have a report ready on what you did (in your head, not on paper). "We ate sandwiches and cleaned up the kitchen, we colored, we played a game, read a book, and took a nap." Parents will be impressed and pay you more.

Answer 7

You already told the parents that you would babysit...it would not be fair to them if you cancel on the job. What i would do is babysit like you were planning and after the parents gets home if you have enough time to go to the party then go to the party.

Answer 8

Im 12 almost 13 and have been bbysitting for almost 2 years. Children 3-6 years are mainly what u need no younger the younger the harder. 2.00 per hour is a good pay. When the parents get back home tell them every thing not oh they were good. Below are some sites that I have used to get me started.



http://www.urbantext.uiuc.edu/babysitting

http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/POLICE/babysit.html

http://www.expage.com/babysittingpreschool

http://www.eastonfire.com/bbsit.htm

http://www.yfd.org/sa9_97.html

http://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/bsc/tips.htm

Answer 9

i think that if you are only 12 yrs old you should not babysit newborns or infants. if i were you i would try to babysit for children between 2 and 5 years old. don't accept anything less than 5 dollars an hour.

Answer 10

show them you rlittle card thuing.
tell them ur certified.
sy that you have siblings?
youve had trainging?
your love kids?
your good with them?
4 or 5 dollarsd and hour


make an application that asks for all the oarents number cell resturant etc.