I was babysitting for my favorite family one day. So I decided to make it fun by watching scary movies and telling scary stories. (7 year old boy and 8 year old girl) I told them a little scary but funny story about how a big hand will grab your tushy when you sit on the toilet and flush you down the toilet! They believed it, and he has peed in the bed consecutive days because he is afraid to use the bathroom, he even cries and screams when they make him go, he refuses. I told him it wasnt true and it wont happen, but he claims it has. (kids lie, but its cute). What else can I do, now the mom wont let me babysit anymore! It was only a story!?
2007-03-19 08:04:28 · 35 answers · asked by Still Standing 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Wow. Why not ask the mom if you can play with the boy for like a whole Saturday afternoon at your house or his. And of course while you are there he will have to use the bathroom and so will you. You can make a big deal of going to the bathroom and return with no harm done. Also, at 7 he is really old enough to know that the bogey man doesn't actually exist, so while eating lunch sit down and face him, and say "Billy (or whatever) you know that the story I told was just that a funny/silly story". No one in your family has gone missing from using the bathroom, no one in your school has gone missing from using the bathroom, etc." So tell me exactly what is going on. It sounds to me as if there may be more going on here than what's on top. Kids don't go to these extremes at that age (maybe 4 or 5, but 7? nah). Has anyone else been around him - could he have been molested? Good luck to you and God Bless.
2007-03-19 08:12:29 · answer #1 · answered by tersey562 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2007-03-19 08:09:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have to say as a parent potty training or going to the toilet is a very sensitive activity to allot of kids...
I'm assuming your a teenager and have out grown the little scary stories - but how are the parent suppose to disguise the toilet?
Even the way the toilet works takes advance thinking that a 7 or 8 year just can't grasp.
He probable thinks a splash or water was the hand reaching to grab him; but you planted the idea of it being a hand so that way he believes it and in his mind he's not lying
Reading your story I got a little chuckle, but I would hate it if you did this to my kids. I had a lose tile by the toilet and at that time my 4 year old was afraid that he might fall and end up in the basement - it took weeks to convinced him he wouldn't and we had to repair the tile 2 times, because he didn't see it being fixed the first time, we needed to do it again so he would believe us.
2007-03-19 08:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by M A D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though it was only a story (and you and I know better than a hand coming up through the toilet), kids have WILD imaginations! My suggestion to you is, go back and talk things over with the mom. Explain to her that you honestly did not think he would react that way, and you were only trying to make things a little more "fun" for them. Ask her if there's anything you can do to help, and emphasize that you love babysitting them and would hate for something like this to stop that. Insist that there must be something for you to do to help out, and keep on emphasizing that you truly are sorry for what happened and you still really would like to keep babysitting them. That's all you really can do.
2007-03-19 08:22:01 · answer #4 · answered by chicyuna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an experience that I'm afraid you're just going to have to learn from. Little kids believe in this stuff, they are scared about what they don't know. Its not really a good idea to show young kids scary movies, or tell them scary things like that. Its usually better when they are 11 or 12 but even then it depends on how sensitive the child is.
You can try and have a sincere talk with their parents, but you may have just lost this job. Just take this experience for what it was and next time you'll know not to do it. :)
2007-03-19 08:11:33 · answer #5 · answered by Kellie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a really hard lesson, but at least you care!
Believe it or not, it's not TV, movies, or video games that are the first heroes and role models for children--it is the adults and leaders that they see daily or frequently in their lives.
Ask your mom if you can take a Red Cross or Girl Scouts babysitting course and get a certificate so that you will have resources of what is appropriate to share with little children.
Keep trying; I am proud of you for communicating with your little charges instead of just parking them in front of a TV. Besides, you must be VERY convincing; maybe you should volunteer to read to kids at a library, or go into acting!
2007-03-19 08:11:12 · answer #6 · answered by nora22000 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off you shouldn't have done it in the first place. My sister told my brother that the toilet was a monster and would bite off his thingy. She told him that's what happened to her and that's why she's a girl. He was four and his fear of the potty lasted until he was about nine. He wet the bed and peed in the potted plants and in the yard! She tried to convince him otherwise but children have an active imagination and you shouldn't mess with it. You'll have to get back in their good graces and explain to the mother that what you did was wrong and that you consider them family and you want to see them. Take little steps, visit them, play with the children, win their trust again. It'll take some time but if they see you're serious about it then they may consider you again.
2007-03-19 08:15:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have just learned a valuable lesson in responsibility. Learn from this and grow. You won't be babysitting for this family again so move on. Don't tell the story again.
2007-03-19 12:36:49 · answer #8 · answered by mimegamy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not let you around my kids at that age. It takes more then a warm body to sit with kids, you are not qualified.
I can totally understand why these parents do not want you around there kids, and would not be surprised if they tell the rest of the parents around where you live not to let you babysit for them.
Anyone who doesn't understand why something like this is not funny dose not need to be around children. Sure hope you learn some basic children skills before you have kids.....
You crewed up and hopefully you know why and will change your behavior....
2007-03-19 08:12:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
scary stories for 7 and 8 year olds what were you thinking
2007-03-19 08:10:13 · answer #10 · answered by Katie E 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋