The kids that i babysit never behave and always fight!?

Question

I am going to babysit them tomorrow morning. How do i stop them from fighting. 10 points to who evers idea that works. They are 3, 5 and 7. All girls. Any tips on how to get them to go to bed quickly?

oh my gosh!! I would never beat them!!! and i don't want to stop babysitting them. They are sweeties and really cute when they aren't fighting.

Answer 1

This is hard to answer without knowing a little more, but, coming from someone that has raised kids for a life time....here goes!

It is normal for kids in those age groups to argue constantly. It is their normal way of communicating although some kids take it to an extreme.

Also at that age and since you ARE the babysitter, they are all trying to get your attention at the same time. Believe it or not, they like you! If they didn't they would stay far away from you!

Here come the suggestions:
1. Look for things that you can all do together, keeping in mind that each age is going to do it differently and to the best of their ability (like coloring pictures the little one will have it out of the lines etc.)

2. Play a game like "Surprise Mommy"; what can you do that would surprise mommy? Clean up a room, put the toys away, wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen, make her a pretty picture and hand them on the refrigerator, take a bath and wash hair etc.

Now don't forget Daddy...surprise him too! Draw pictures of his car, of him cutting the grass, make him some pudding or brownies etc.

3. Play some games that all three ages can play:
a. What am I thinking of: they have to guess something that you are thinking of ...each player gets a turn
b. Pick straws to see who gets to pick out a dvd or show to watch.
c. If everyone promises to go to bed on time they can have; ice cream or popsicle or popcorn etc.

4. Everyone has to go to bed and sleep really really fast because:
a. you want to surprise mom with her picture
b. surprise daddy
c. you can get up and get dressed before anyone else and surprise mom and daddy
d. you will be the first one to see the sun shine and then tell me what time it was
e. see if you can sleep faster than me (meaning you) for some reason they like to beat everything the sitter does and do it better!

Good Luck honey and hang in there, remember no matter how maddening it can be, you get to go home eventually and mom and dad get the kids back!

Answer 2

make them sit down on the couch and not have toys or anything for a few minutes or you could ask the parents what to do but you have to be carful about that cause the parents might think you are doing something wrong if the girls are not normally like that. Walk in and tell them if they stop fighting you will do something fun with them but they have got to be good and not fight. Sit down and talk to them when they are fighting and see why and try and solve the problem. I have noticed some people are saying that color with them and play games you have to be careful of that because if the girls are already fighting and on the edge they might try to make it a race and it might turn out "i am better than you" so choose your activities carefully.

How to get them in bed make it fun tell them you will tell them a secret story (or do something they really like or sing)if they are the first one in bed and it will help motivate.

Answer 3

I'm a babysitter, and whenever my girls don't want to go to bed, I bribe them. Bring a few pieces of very small candy to their house the next time you go, and say to them, "I'm going to go in another room for a few minutes, if I come back here and you're sleeping, I'll leave a piece of candy under your pillow for you to eat tomorrow." But never tell them this when you don't have candy, and don't forget. Thats just what I do when the kids I babysit wont go to bed.

Also about the fighting, place them in seperate rooms whenever they start fighting, and say come out when you're not going to fight. Don't even argue with them, just pick them up and place them in different rooms, and if they come out and start fighting, place them in their rooms again, even if you have to do it several times. They'll get used to it, and eventually just listen. You have to stay strong, and they have to know that you ARE the boss, not just someone who mommy and daddy SAYS is boss, but don't believe it.

Answer 4

Wow, this sounds like you have more than a baby sitting job, you are dealing with mentally deranged children who have never been disciplined, and are suffering from lack of parental love. I think I would bow out of that job and find a better family to work for.

Answer 5

Be prepared with positive activities for them. Give them plenty to do and make it something non-competitive, like coloring and drawing or reading to them. Catch them being good, and give them praise. Try to ignore the bad behavior. Do not let them physically harm one another: if they try to do that, put each of them in a different part of the room with a good book. Make sure they don't have to share everything.

Answer 6

Just don't babysit them--let someone else deal with these brats--maybe their parents for a change. Chances are they are acting up because they want the attention of Mom and Dad.

Answer 7

I think that depending the age do a time out. And do a 1 min per age. THat always works for me.

Answer 8

Well,you should try to do activitys with them and when its time to go to bed , you shouldn't just tell them when its time, but instead do a countdown of minutes so that they are prepared to go to sleep.

Answer 9

keep them occupied draw with them or play with them, sometimes babysitting is not just putting them in bed and sitting watching telly

Answer 10

Let them know that if they don't behave their parents are gonna find out..or offer them sweets...sugar free sweets