I am babysitting tonight and need advice...?

Question

I am babysitting tonight, as I have done many times in the past year. The boys are 9 and 4 and the girl is 7. The older two always fight, one ends up getting mad about something dumb, like feeding the fish, and then they start hitting each other. It's almost impossible for them to go a couple hours without fighting. As for the little one, he's basically a brat...he won't share anything, and he'll hit his siblings if they don't give him what he wants. He never listens when I tell him it's time to go to bed, he'll go in his room and scream (think high pitched and LOUD), and his brother comes in and "babies" him, comforting him whenever I try to punish him. He gets angry with me when I try to stop him from doing this. I guess I have two questions. One is, what are some ideas for things to do to keep all three entertained tonight (3-4hrs)? The other is, how can I get the little one out of his habit of watching a movie while going to bed? He won't go to sleep while he watches it, and he won't not watch it. He screams if I don't let him, but if I do, he'll be awake until at least midnight, which can be frustrating for me. Thanks.

not sure if it matters, but i'm 15.

uhm yeah i know i'm not there to be on the computer. i'm not babysitting right now. i'm babysitting TONIGHT, hence the question. i don't get on the computer while there, i barely even watch tv unless they are.

Answer 1

Here are some tips when you babysit.

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 :( I babysit too.

Answer 2

Honest answer, take a game that they can all do (twister might be good since it is active). The big thing is that you are keeping them now and then-if this is the pattern mom and dad allow, you can't do much. Do they act this way all the time? If so, then maybe start booking with other families and just find yourself busy when they need a sitter. At 4, the little one may still have trouble expressing himself and that can result in hitting, shouting etc. He may also need more, good quality sleep. Again, these are things the parent should work on. As a sitter, they can't expect you to work a miracle. Super Nanny is a tv show with women who have spent years studying child developlemt and have lots of practical experience. You (nothing personal) are a teenage sitter-you should be keeping an eye on them/entertaining them while mom and dad have a night out. If it is causing you stress, then look for some new clients. Good sitters are in demand-good luck tonight.

Answer 3

THe only advice I can give you is that it is time to call Super Nanny. But that would be up to the parents. THe only thing that I can tell you is that when they start to fight- ask them what happened and put them both in time out. Whether it is the seven year olds fault or the nine year old fault- fighting is unexceptable. And if they want to fight over things like babies- they might as well be treated like babies.
As for the little one, you as a babysitter cant break his habit of going to sleep with a movie on. THat is up to the parents. When he fights or doesnt listen- time out is good for him too. It is 1 minute for how old they are- so he would be sitting in timeout for 4 minutes. Explain to him what he did wrong and what he COULD have done instead. THen sit him in timeout to reflect on his actions.
In my house- Bed time IS bed time and there is no negotiating. Try reading him a book first and then pput him to bed. If he chooses to scream bloody murder then let him. He will eventually get tired out and fall asleep. But you need to be consistant. Dont go in there. Explain to him that it is bed time and you will not be comming back to the room.

And, of course, I would discuss this with the parents. If they dont care- then I would find another babysitting job. No money is worth spending three hours in that type of torture. There are other jobs out there.

You also had a question about activities. I would choose an activity that they could all do together like hide and seek, chutes and ladders, I spy or some sort of craft. Movies are good but too much TV is not good. Its best to find other ways to stimulate their brains.

I hope this is help

Answer 4

Well I was an art's and crafts counselor for years at a summer camp and I also babysat too. So whenever I had the opportunity I put together a little something for them to paint and or do. If you have an AC Moore near your house you can pick up some really great kits to make jewelry and other things. As for the youngest, it is not your job to break him out of the habit of falling asleep to a movie. If that is what his mother does than there is no point in trying to stop him. Let him watch the movie and if he is still up when the parents return inform them he was just watching a movie! Good Luck!

Answer 5

Take a deep breath! I would try playing a game or something like that! If the two older ones fight but them in time out (remember 1 minute per age 9 years old 9 mins, 7 years old 7 mins. and so on). Also try putting the movies on early for the 4 year old. Like an hour befor he's sapost to be asleep! Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Have you talked to the parents about this behavior? The children are old enough to know what they are doing to you and it is not your responsibility to have to referee the kids and deal with screaming from a brat. I think that right in front of the kids the parents need to let you give them (kids) the rules. That way the kids know that the parents know how they've been acting. Ideas...try a card game. We love Uno attack in our house. But anything will work. And the little one...stick to your guns. Let him watch the movie before bed time and when it's bed time, he needs to go to bed. Try laying down with him and reading him a long book so he get that extra attention he's wanting. And if all else fails, don't do it anymore. You don't need this stress at your age!!!

Answer 7

Wow- Some family.
If I were you, during the 3-4 hours before they slept i'd watch a movie with them.. maybe keep the two boys on opposite sides of the room. Then, if it's time to feed the fish or another project only one can do, i'd tell them that if they can't decide in a nice way that you're going to feed the fish and neither of them will get what they want.
As for the boy who won't sleep.. maybe you should sit with him for a while until he does, and talk to him, maybe read him a book. If that absolutely doesn't work, and it's ok with his parents, put in a short movie and tell him to stay in bed.
Good luck!

Answer 8

well, let them pick a game like hiding seek, or something like that play with them until they ware down.and then before bed give them a warm glass of milk and snack. as far as watching a movie make a deal with him i will let you watch some TV but at a certain time i will cut the TV off that way he gets to watch some TV and you get some peace . as far as the fighting when they do put them in time out for 30 min.and stick with it no matter what they do if they keep on tell them you will add time to there punishment

Answer 9

I think you should bring something for them to help make you for dessert, like brownies or rice crispies. and then let them play with makeup bc girls always love doing that kind of stuff and when putting them to bed make sure you leave them with a good question for them to answer for you, maybe about school coming up that makes them excited before they sleep, that always seems to keep them from arguing about going to bed. :)

Answer 10

First of all you are there to do a job, not be on the computer. Your job is to pay attention to the children and sometimes that means PARTCIPATING in an activity together. The older two are just expressing sibling rivalry (if you have any siblings you do the same thing no doubt) as for the little one watching television at bedtime that is an issue that YOU have no right to bring up before their parents as it deals with the raising of their children, as a parent I am well aware of the problems with televisions in the bedrooms and the proven facts about televisions being on and sleep depravation, however you are still a child yourself and it is not your place to tell them how to raise their kids. So you will just have to deal with the little one not sleeping.