I babysit for a 9 year old girl every so often, and we get on really well until it's time for her to go to bed. She gets stroppy and rude, and procrastinates and refuses to go up. The trouble is, I don't particularly want to be too domineering, because I enjoy the relationship we have the rest of the time - and besides, it's slightly different when it's not your child! Does anyone have any ideas?
2007-03-05 04:42:41 · 17 answers · asked by PurpleWatermelon 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
I used to babysit two boys, who were desperate to be cool and grown up, so as soon as they started to show off and be childish about something i.e. going to bed. I'd just make out that they were being really uncool!!
Seemed to work with me!
Good Luck. If all else fails tie her up (ONLY JOKING!!!!) :)
2007-03-05 04:47:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many ideas that can help you solve your problem(hopefully you havent tried all of them before).
1.Make up interesting games where the kid will do exercise (play catch for half hour, teach the girl how to play your favorite sport). This will keep the relationship in good terms and will have her tired by bedtime.
2. Dont tell her directly that it is bed time, pick an interesting book to read outloud together, do it in the couch or the bed.
3. Dont give her chocolates, candies or anything sugary at least two hours before bedtime.
4. Feed her with warm milk and cookies as bedtime approaches
2007-03-05 09:02:56 · answer #2 · answered by Javier B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep warning her of when shes going to bed for example, when her parents first go out say right your going to bed at say 9 o clock for instance then at around 8 o clock say right we've got a hour until you go to bed what do you want to do for the hour then warn her again at half 8 then when it comes to 9 oclock be firm and say right 9 o clock time for bed im having a cup of tea and the either if you stay over say your going to bed or her parents will be home shortly after a few weeks of doing this you should be able to fizzle it out and she'll go to bed when shes told. Its just the fact that she probably feels like shes missing out on some of your time because she has to go to bed not that shes being badly behaved!
2007-03-05 04:51:57 · answer #3 · answered by Jo. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had this trouble with my daughter. Find out how the parents deal with it. You have got to make bed time fun and get it into a routine. Give them a bath before bed then a warm drink tell a story etc.
2007-03-05 04:49:30 · answer #4 · answered by Ding Dong 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i look after a 8, 4 n 2 yr old n they r all pains in the arses, but being strict doesnt mean that ur being mean, u r just simply letting them know that u r the adult n ur in charge! try using different tactics for example telling her that she can play with her toys in her bed. or reading her a story!! if nothing else u think of seems to work then tell her that ur not having it, n she has to go to bed!! be firm at night, n during the day play with her, it wont ruin ur realationship with her, its more likely to make her respect u more, bcoz at the moment (u might think she does) but she doesnt respect u...she sees u more as a play mate!! be strict yet kind! comprimise with her!! gud luck, xx
2007-03-05 04:51:26 · answer #5 · answered by katluvsu4eva2004 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's a little bit tricksterish, but be like, you know, you have to get in bed before the long hand on the clock is here. if you do, a prize will be on the table when you wake up! and just leave like a little nick nack or just something for her.
2007-03-05 10:19:28 · answer #6 · answered by Tangy & Cherry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here's my trick....
decide what time you want her to go to bed - say 9pm.
then tell her that bedtime is 8.30, OR, if she puts her pyjamas on at 8.30 and is nice and quiet, (reads a book or you read to her, or something) she can stay up until 9.
she'll think that she's getting an extra half hour, you've taught her something about negotiating deals, and you get her in bed when you want her to whilst still seeming like the good guy...
mine still fall for it in their teens - usually about what time i want them in for nowadays!
2007-03-08 09:36:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she likes you a lot,tell her that you will not be able to babysit her anymore because you dont like bad manners.
Kids do not fall out with you just because you tell them off,if they did none of them would like us.
2007-03-05 04:52:37 · answer #8 · answered by Pat R 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hay do some exercises wit her it will make her tired then sit down on a long chair ask er does she wanna lie down on the chair nd then carrie her up to bed or after a wile ask er does she wanna go up to bed xxx
2007-03-09 00:49:38 · answer #9 · answered by mar c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to her parents about it and find out what they do. I understand the thing about not your child. You could say to her that you will tell her mum and dad that she's been naughty.
2007-03-05 07:29:38 · answer #10 · answered by gymnastics~is~life 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋