Babysitting for the first time! HELP!!!!?

Question

I'm 16 and I am babysitting a 5 year old boy and 8 year old girl tomarrow night. Their parents are friends with my mom so I really need to make a good impression.

Unfortunately, I don't know where to start. Rates, activities, things to do, etc.

Answer 1

Make sure you arrive about 20 minutes early to speak with the parents, dressed appropriately (no mini skirts, cleavage). The kids probably have a routine of things they do before going to bed. Make sure you have their mom or dad run through it with you before you start working. Don't rely on the kids to tell you what is what...they like to play games (not the good ones) sometimes. Kids fight, its a fact of life. Make sure you find out what forms of punishment are appropriate for the children if they need to be disciplined ie do they have a spot for time out or are they sent to their rooms.

As for activities, bring some CDs, or use some of theirs and play dance games. You can do freeze dance, play music and when you stop it everyone freezes, or you can do a mock karaoke thing. No TV unless the parents tell you its ok. Some people are really strict about what and when their children watch tv.

Since it is your first time sitting, I doubt you will have to make dinner, they will probably order pizza or something. Clean up the kitchen as much or better than you found it. As for other house work, you shouldn't have to do any, since the children are old enough that when you give them the 5 minute warning that bedtime is coming, they should pick up what ever they were working on with your help.

I wouldn't try baking anything since you may not know about hidden allergies.

The children are old enough that if one of them wants to do a board game and one wants to color a picture they will let you know.

Any questions you may have about their routine or things the parents should be glad to answer for you, bring a note pad and write stuff down, it will show them that you are responsible and are planning to use that info in the future when you watch their kids.

I think that since you are new to sitting (have you taken the Red Cross babysitting class? if not, you should, you will get more jobs since it gives parents a little more piece of mind even more so if you are CPR trained) 6$-8$ is an appropriate amount for 2 children. You could also phrase it if they ask "I charge $6/hr, however if there is a rate that you feel more comfortable with that will be fine." Since they are friends with your mom, they aren't likely to screw you over, plus finding a good babysitter is hard to do. Once you improve your sitting skills you can always raise your rates a dollar or two.

Good luck, have fun and remember you are in charge, not the children!

Answer 2

You can discuss rates with the parents, since it's your first time. It also should depend on how long you're watching them. I'd charge $6-7 an hour. As far as activities go play some games, do some crafts(maybe make Halloween masks), and there are always movies to be watched. That shouldn't be how their whole night is spent though. Ask them what they want to do and if it isn't too outrageous have fun.

Answer 3

i charge $5 an hour per kid. Some activities you could do would be playing games like candy land,uno,connect 4.

bring a few movies over most kids that age like Cars,Everyones hero,monster house the little mermaid.

take construction paper,glue and kid safe scissors,crayons or markers and have them make a picture of there favorite thing to do out side.

read a few stories like The cat in the hat,jordans silly sick day,any clifford books. You can find some of these books at your library.

Answer 4

Normal here is about $2 per hour per kid...but they are a little older...not sure. Just bring some board games...age appropriate..if you have any. Do any dishes that are ther..unless it's an unreal mess. Don't do laundry, it could be bad if you don't know the machine or the whole shrinking thing...and just pick up as much as you can with out going thru the parents stuff.

Answer 5

Play board games or hide and seek. bake some muffins and eat them hot with popcorn and movie just before bed (dont' do the running around games before bed or they will be hyper and won't settle). I would ask at least $6-$8 per hour for 2 kids but I think in the States they pay more, I am in canada

Answer 6

Take it from someone who has years of experience. Try to coordinate a group activity before you go. Arts & craft5s, coloring these are all good. I would actually recomend you get into the book series the baby sitters club. That is where I learned most of my tricks.

Answer 7

First make sure you wear an outfit that can stand up to little kids LOL. Then rent a disney movie for them like Lion king and bring them some snacks or books. Good luck and dont stress about it!

Answer 8

rate... $5 an hour for 2 children.
watch a movie, play a board / card game, hide and seek
and clean up after yourselves...

you job is to keep them alive and to get them to like you enough so you can make the easy $20-$30 bucks again...

Answer 9

1st.- write down all places, phone numbers + cell numbers of ALL places the parents are or think they may go. Do this in front of them. 2nd- get detailed information on all meds the kids take and when. 3rd.- find out what grabs the kids attention (movies, toys, games) 4th,- LOCK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS! after the parents leave. When they are gone do not answer the phone unless they have caller ID and only if its someone YOU know. Bath and bedtime are your best friends. Dont forget the storybooks.

Answer 10

ok. you don't want to be the babysitter who just sits and talks on the phone.
i would suggest, try to bond with them. ask them what they like to do, and if there just not into you, bribe them, like give candy or something. be really nice. then play games like hide in seek, simple shardes, etc. you know games that kids that old can play. or maybe board games like snakes and ladders. you might want to take some of these things there with you, cause you don't know what they have. maybe bring some movies, that are appropiate. that will be fun and get you by for a couple of hours.


ummm, thats all i can think of.