Help first time baby sitting?

Question

It's my first time babysitting , and I'm going to babysit for my dad's friend's kids, everytime he and his wife go out, but I need alot of advice on how I can get, He has three girls, about 12, 6 , and 3 years old and the 3 year old is a big handful, any advice , how I can make my job easy. And for them to have fun. So the ime goes fast.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place , I need help.

I'm 19 years old.

Answer 1

Above are some really good answers, but I will give you some of my advice:

Babysitting Tips

My Rates

1-2 kids ~ $5.00/hour
Each additional child ~ $1.25/hour

*When you are babysitting a baby under 10 months old, you should ask to be paid a bit more than your regular charge, since you must give more attention, change the baby, feed the baby, and put the baby to bed.

Tips for babysitting
(ages 10monts- 1 year)

Games you can play: Toys that make noise, big blocks, pat-a-cake, and you can watch movies.

*Safety Tips:

* Always check for toys for loose or broken parts and sharp edges.

* Watch kids carefully during play. They may choose toys that are inappropriate for their age, especially if there is an older brother or sister in the house.

* Watch kids who are playing together.

Food (babies)

* Older babies usually eat solid foods as well as take a bottle.

* Ask the parents if the baby gets the bottle or the food first.

* Babies are messy eaters and need a bib.

* Buckle baby in high chair before feeding.

* Give the baby only the food the parents suggest and only as much as they suggest.

* Put a small amount of food on a spoon and place it well back on the baby’s tongue so he/she won’t spit it out.

2-3 years old

Games:

Ride-on-toys, push-pull toys, water toys, picture books, simple puzzles, hide and go seek, rolling and catching ball, movies or watching t.v.

Food

Toddlers usually have 3 meals a day, with morning, afternoon, and bedtime snacks.

* At this age, kids will be trying new foods, but the foods may still have to be mashed or chopped.

4-5 years old

Games:

Puppets, costumes, masks, play dishes, crayons and paper, arts and crafts, moves, dress-up, 1-spy, playing store, tricycles, wagons, skipping ropes, hula-hoops, roller skating, Barbie’s, toy trucks, and movies.

Pre-schoolers foods

* Give the child the meals and snacks the parents have left.

* Give the child small servings.

* Don’t rush the child who is eating and don’t force him/her to eat everything on his/her plate.

* Get the older pre-schooler to help you set the table or prepare the meal or snack.

* If you have to prepare the meal, choose at least one serving from the four food groups in Canada’s Food Guide.

Safety Tips

To reduce choking

* Cut smooth or round foods into smaller pieces lengthwise so they won’t get caught in the child’s windpipe. Change the round shape of foods such as sausages, wieners, and grapes by cutting in half.

* Have the toddler sit quietly when eating. Running, laughing, or walking can cause choking while eating.

IF parents have asked you to prepare a meal, cook safely

* Know how to turn the stove or appliance on and off.

* Keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove.

* Don’t overheat or leave cooking fats unattended.

6-10 years

Games to play:

Magic sets, models, puzzles, craft kits, hobby kits, cards, board games, video or computer games, sporst and movies.


Getting along with kids

Crying

If the baby starts to cry, try giving her a bottle, check to see if her diaper is too tight, or dirty, and try to hold him/her. Call the parents if the baby continues to cry longer than 15-20 minutes.

Colic

If the baby is crying in his crib, his tummy is tense and his knees are drawn up, rub his back or tummy gently, pick him up and walk around, or put him/her in the carrier and rock him back and forth.

Teething

If the baby’s cheeks are bright red, and is crying, and chewing his/her blanket, give her/him a teething ring, give a teething biscuit(either or), try soothing her by rubbing her back, carry her around the house and speak to her softly, call the parents if you can’t settle her down.

Shyness

IF the child starts to cry when the parents leave, speak to her softly and soothingly, tell her that her parents will be home soon. Approach her gently and quietly.

Temper Tantrums

If the child is throwing a fit and starts screaming, make sure he’s not close to the furniture or stairwell, and let him tire himself out.

Refuses to go to sleep

If the child doesn’t go to bed at her bedtime, leave her alone, she will eventually go to bed when she is ready, make sure you follow up her bedtime routine, read her and extra story, and give her a back rub.

Night Mares

If the child is having a nightmare, make sure that everything is ok, stay with her for a while, and leave the light on when you put her back to bed.

Bedwetting

If the child wets the bed, help her clean it up, change her bed, and reassure to him that its ok.

** Don’t ever say or do anything to embarrasse the child who wets the bed.

Refuses to share toys

If the child grabs a toy from her younger sister or brother, tell her you know its her toy, but her little sister wants to play with it too, try to interest both kids in a different activity.

Fighting

If the children start to fight, leave them alone, they can work it out themselves, separate them afterwards if it doesn’t end, don’t take sides, and try to interest both kids in a different activities.

Power Struggles

IF the child is testing you and won’t do anything you ask her to do, try to get her on your side, ask her to show you her favourite game and give her as much guidance as you can, and pay attention to her.

** Older kids may resent having a babysitter because they think they can look after themselves. Be understanding but FIRM.

Sorry its so long. :S
I babysit

Answer 2

Well if you have been around the 12 year old before you can talk to her cause she is at a age that grown ups are becoming evil and as for the 3 year old pull out the toys they are busy little ones and can change from doing one thing to another very fast and sneaky. At 3 my kids loved the Kitchen. So that is one place that you need to look at to see what she can get into. One thing I like my baby sitters to do is ask if there is anything new that the kids have learned at all. 3 year olds are crazy little kids and love to push buttons so ask the parents the 3 year old likes and hates since it changes all the time. Humm...Your Cell phone you can put that and your purse up high so the baby don't get into it as well as the 12 year old (sorry to say that but I have had things come up missing when baby sitting with a older child in the house). Oh one more thing ask the parents of they have rules for the teen cause she could be in trouble at this time or having problems so call them first so the teen don't feel like your the trader Private is best on that one.

Answer 3

For someone who has no experience babysitting, you'll have a handful for sure. Have the parents list what the kids eat, drink, any food allergies, etc. Find out what time they are to go to bed. Get the 12 yr old to help you with the 3 yr old. Sometimes they will listen to older sibling in the home, if not you. Don't let the 3 yr old out of your sight if you can help it.

Get the group together and firmly lay out some ground rules for behavior, no fighting, running through house or locking doors where you can't keep an eye on all of them. See if they like movies. Maybe the parents would rent a few for them. Have snacks, toys and fun games ready. Get emergency numbers just in case. Do not go to sleep while they are awake or leave them unsupervised once you commit to babysitting. Have fun!

Answer 4

You didn't say how old you are, but if it is your first time babysitting, I make the guess of not that old. The first thing, don't babysit the oldest one. She is getting to the age that having a babysitter might be a little insulting. Make her your partner in crime, or ask if she just wants to be on her own. (Usually older siblings are utilized so much in taking care of younger, that she might like some "time off") Then, do the same for the six year old, in a pretend way. I have found that 6 year olds like to BELIEVE they are in charge. Use that to keep her on your side and just enjoy a nice, mellow evening. Don't try to plan a bunch of crafts or activities, especially if it is at their house. Let them show you what they do.

Answer 5

Well, I have babysitting for like most of my life and as I am writting you this I am babysitting my 2 year Neice. And the things that I to to keep her busy is that I paint/ color with her, read her books, watch t.v. with her, play with her outside. And on top of that on the Weekends I babysit her 6 month old twin sister's and 8 year old brother he is a handfull at times but as long as we have a xbox he is happy!

Answer 6

I'd have some games and crafts on hand, maybe some movies.
When I babysit my nieces (9,8,5) the only thing that makes it easy and go fast is to do things with them. You know teach them to do something. This will even work with the little one, it'll make her feel like a big girl. Maybe help them make bracelets or necklaces. Beads and string are pretty reasonable at wal mart.
Hope this helps. good luck

Answer 7

Crafts. Get her to help you bake or make something. The 6 year-old will probably be interested as well. Odds are if you can get the older 2 to do something, the little one will want to join.

Answer 8

if your sitting at their house they will probably want to do what they usually do while at home. but you can offer up some fun stuff bring some sort of craft kit so they can make a dreamcatcher or beads the 3 year olds attention span is short so set up a table that has alot of mini things for her.

Answer 9

bring a boardgame for the older kids after the baby goes to bed, bring a special book to share with the 3 year old, hide your cell phone cause if the 3yo gets it chances are you're not getting it back at least not in one piece. Just relax go over there and have fun- don't go over expecting to be the punisher but their friend.

Answer 10

try doing a craft with them-something besides coloring. the twelve and six year olds will really get into it and the three year old will at least like playing with the supplies. it might be a little messy at the end, but at least they were entertained and in one place!

Here's some good sites for ideas:
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/
http://www.makingfriends.com/
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/kidsart.htm

GOOD LUCK!!!