1st time babysitting?

Question

okay so it is my first time babysitting....i just want to know the basics....how much i should charge??...what i should do in case of emergencies??(any personal experiences?) do i need formal training in order to babysit? and any other things i should know because it's my first time.

Answer 1

The best answer to this question might be just to talk to the parents of the kid(s) you are babysitting for. You should talk about and come to an agreement on payment BEFORE you even babysit. The parents should leave you the name and number of the place they are going to and have them check in regularly or maybe have you parents call you every so often to see how you are handling the situation. Sometimes, like the local college here, there are babysitting training classes. They are cheap and have a lot of good information that could answer some more of you questions and conserns. I would start out babysitting a short period of time and work myself up to more hours. For example, I would only do it for 1 hour the first time to see how things go, then move up to 1 half hours if and when you are comfortable. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Charging is up to you... I pay my babysitter to watch my 18 month old son for 4 hours $20.. so I guess $5 an hour... you can do the same or go lower.... in case of emergencies the parents will let you know what to do.. they should have numbers out for you and tell you where and when they will return with a phone number to contact them at any time. You should be cpr trained prior to babysitting... that is a number in alot of states.. if you don't have that training.. you shouldn't be babysitting... just have fun with the kids, don't ignore them and talk on the phone, watch tv, or have friends over unless you have permission to... don't talk on the phone while you are babysitting unless the kids are taking a nap or asleep...

Answer 3

I am an avid babysitter. I worked at a Goddard School and continue to work with my families. Depending upon on how old you are makes a difference in pay. I work with well off families so I babysit for no less than $10 an hour. I would say that your minimum should be no less than $8 though, parents are willing to pay for good service because their children are the most important things in their lives. I recommend you know CPR and basic first aid, you will be amazed how many little situations you will find yourself in. If you think it is life threatening def. call 911 every second could count. For basic things like fevers, vomitting, etc. call the parents and inform them. Ask about asthma and allergies. There are very basic trainings out there I will never forget taking mine I was 12 and now I am 23. They taught everything from diaper changing to properly burping a baby. It was helpful and inexpensive. If you are nervous go for it and take one if anything you will come off more prepared.
One word of advice start out wiht just one child work up to multi-child families. I am comfortable have 6 toddlers in my care but I have a lot of experience. Its a great experience and I have a lot of families now that have become family to me. Its good money and a great experience

Answer 4

Check around the neighborhood and see what others are charging. Also, it would be a good idea to to take a babysitting course. Some social services, like local hospitals, have free babysitting courses.
Also, make sure you have contact phone numbers for the parent, ambulence, police, fire department. Not that you'll need them, but just in case of an emergency you'll have them handy.

Answer 5

don't charge anything less than the minimum per hour (about 5 dollars an hour)

if you don't know CPR learn it. Make sure you have the parents cell or a number from a relative you can contanct in case you cant get the parents.

And call your parents if all else fails (that's if they live in the same city)

And just have fun with the kids. Babysitting for kids is like being a kid all over again.

Answer 6

ok. so charge like 2.00, thats what i started with. adn then um incase of an emergency call the parents first. that is important. unless the kid is like not breathing or is bleeding severly call the parents first. um you dont need formal training but it does help. and make sure if it a boy and u change the diaper i had to learn this the tuff way but the boys have ***** soo wen they get their diapers changed they will often go before the diaper is on soo make sure that u cover his thing up otherwise you will get an unwanted shower. and um i would just say have fun and if you are a girl you should have motherly instincts that will sure to help you. just have fun and go with what you would do. the first time seams like it will be tuff but after a while when you are with the kids it is fun. good luck♥

Answer 7

My Babysitters make usually 20 bucks a night.

I want them to keep the attention on my children and not on the phone. I require them to come alone simply because when friends are present my children are not the priority.

and I will tip the babysitter that cleans up my house while they are there [their own messes and tidy up what the kids have done while I am gone] I don't expect them to clean my house but I do like it when they pick up!

Be professional when asking for money or set the arrangement for money AHEAD of time so you aren't suckered! Good luck!

Answer 8

Teaching them new video games is consistently a laugh, take a look at one-of-a-kind card video games that they have got certainly not attempted. when you consider that the have a while which might be beautiful a long way aside you must play video games which might be extra random than expert. like yahtzee or egyptian ratscrew, or conflict. a few a laugh different video games are "apples to apples" it is a particularly a laugh one that every one a while can play, and each and every child will get a flip to "pass judgement on". you'll purchase it at for like $14. if they are inventive, pictionary may be plenty of a laugh, in particular amongst humans that you already know very good.

Answer 9

make sure you get at least 2 different cell phone numbers that you can call in case of emergencies and make sure they point out what you should and should not do ~babysitting is mainly about keeping the baby entertained~

Answer 10

5 bucks an hour is the norm around here,

get phone #'s for emergency
dont take anything that isn't yours, ( specially booze )
Kids are like majicians they disappear in the blink of an eye so watch them closely.
a CPR class is a great idea and are usually free throughout the year @ schools and fire departments.