How can i be prepared to babysit?

Question

I would really like to start babysitting, but i am 12. I have come to understand most adults will not take a 12 year old seriously. So I would like to start babysitting once i turn 13. I have already taken the redcross babysitter's course. What eles can i do to get prepared to babysit?

Answer 1

If your family is church going, see if you can voulnteer in the nursery, ask you parents if you can babysit at your home with them there, or as suggested "shadow" another sitter.

Answer 2

If you have an older friend, sibling, or relative, ask them if you can "shadow" them while they babysit. You can get an idea of how things should be handled, especially if you don't have a lot of experience with kids. While you are awaiting your 13th birthday, try volunteering at an afterschool program for younger kids. You can help them with homework, or just play. This will give you more experience with interacting. Just remember that every household is different, so you will have to adapt a bit to the rules and parenting style of the family. Good for you for taking the Red Cross course...just remember to keep renewing your CPR certification. I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 3

im babysitting this summer too and im already planning soo lots of prep, lots of toys and stuff like that, be flexible be able to change plans easily, have enough snacks but not to sugary, lots of games invovling both boy and not dolls, and soo on good luck i hope you have fun but remember always keep them occupied

Answer 4

I would recommend just starting with one child. It would probably be best if it were a child of a family that you know well and you know the child is well behaved so your first time won't be too hard on you.

Answer 5

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.

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.


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.

Finding Work

To find work when you're getting started, ask around. Maybe your neighbours or others you know have heard of sitting jobs. When looking for work, be careful:

*Don't ever advertise. Anyone could take your name or number. Not all people have good intentions

* Don't sit for people you don't know or who haven't been recommended. Babysitting for strangers you don't know could be risky if you know nothing about them.

*Meet with family before agreeing to babysit for them. Even if you are referred by someone you know, you may not like the situation in the home or attitude of the parents, or you may just not feel right about it. If so, don't take the job.

Above are some helpful tips while looking for a job, I got these tips at my babysitting course.
Have fun, Be safe!

Answer 6

even if your twelve you should be able to babysit.

if you have never babysat before try mothers helper.

Answer 7

nothing much.