Ok well I am 14 and would like to start babysitting. I don't necessarily even want to be payed for it (that's not weird, right?) I just like to spend time with kids and think it would be fun. So parents is 14 too young? What do you look for in a babysitter? Where do you find your babysitters? And how do I get started? Thanks so much.
Megan
2007-08-25 00:54:15 · 9 answers · asked by Pistachio 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Hmmmmm thanks for the suggestions but I should probably mention that none of my relatives live here anymore and my parents only know one family with children young enough to need to be babysat and when they need a babysitter (which is almost never) they are dropped off at my place and my parents look after them. So what do I do?
2007-08-25 01:21:53 · update #1
If you are asking my opinion then two things. You need to take a babysitting course and get your First Aid certificate. Once you get those then just put the word out with your neighbours and friends and parents friends. All callers need to be "cleared" by your parents for your own safety and security.
And there is nothing wrong with "fair wages for fair work" so don't sell yourself short. Expect to get paid the going rate in your community. Be prompt, be courteous and be up front about YOUR needs. Wages, time of arrival AND time to go home. If it is past a certain hour you will need a ride home and an escort to your door. If they abuse the late hours then you don't babysit for them again....period. You would learn all this and more in a babysitting course.
2007-08-25 01:08:23 · answer #1 · answered by d4dave 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a mother of three children aged 4, 2 and 6 months.
Personally I wouldn't use a babysitter that is 14 unless there was an older person there as well.
A babysitter has to be responsible and reliable but also have a good time with the kids. To get started in babysitting I would suggest asking friends or relatives if you can babysit their kids. That way you are getting experience with someone you know. If you are good, then you will get more people by word of mouth. It would help if you have experience being around younger children, for example if you have younger siblings or cousins you are around.
Hope everything thing goes well for you.
2007-08-25 08:07:32 · answer #2 · answered by threecherubs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion 14 is too young to babysit, but then in Australia you don't find many people doing it anymore. I would only employ someone younger than 16-17 to look after my kids if they had a lot of experience with small children, either their own brothers or sisters or neices/nephews etc... I would want to speak to their parents and find out how much they really know about children and have them come over to play a couple of times first before I left them alone with the kids. I would consider it if my children were over 5-6 years old. I babysat two primary school aged kids at the age of 16 and only got paid $5 an hour to do it. These days I wouldn't pay more than $8 an hour to a teenager under 16.
You could get started by printing off a small leaflet and dropping it into people's mailboxes in your area. Say your age, experience, pay rate if applicable and hours available. and a contact number.
2007-08-25 08:24:49 · answer #3 · answered by Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok first let me clear this up i'd never leave my son with anyone under eighteen - personal preference. but there are people that would and you sound a genuine person.
a good babysitter has knowledge of kids, should know what to do in an emergency ie first aid, is good with kids, can prepare food and remain calm if a child is crying, can get on the same level as a child in play - there are all sorts of qualities really. as long as you can be trusted and know what you're doing thats ok by most people.
the no friends thing is true though. if i did have a younger babysitter i would not allow anyone to accompany them under any circumstances because their attention would be on the person instead of the kids.
ask around perhaps?
2007-08-25 08:15:05 · answer #4 · answered by Draconia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well being paid is just part of it, even though you don't want the money open a savings account. The most important quality is honest and dependable. Once you violate the trust you can never get it back. I usually would find a friends teen ager to use as a baby sitter, and is responsible. You will just have to get your parents to help spread the word you are availible. Good luck...
p.s. dont invite any of your friends over when you are babysitting....for any reason
2007-08-25 08:04:10 · answer #5 · answered by railer01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
14 is ok for toddlers, but a little young for little babies, in my opinion. If I were you I would see if your parents have any friends that have little kids for you to start with. I would charge money if I was you. But please know that they are trusting you with their most important thing in life. So take is seriously. Good luck. I babysat at your age.
2007-08-25 08:12:00 · answer #6 · answered by Pdoodles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where we used to live, nobody could babysit legally unless they first took babysitting classes. They may be available in your area.
Years ago, I was babysitting when I was only nine years old.
This was probably not a good idea.
2007-08-25 08:04:00 · answer #7 · answered by oldsalt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you live? In England we are allowed to babysit at 14!
2007-08-25 09:25:37 · answer #8 · answered by Mariah♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
by law you cannot baby sit... but u can if you have a parent with u.... which is kinda pointless
2007-08-25 08:03:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋