Ok, tomorrow i'm babysitting this baby that always cries when the parents leave (separation anxiety!--major!!) He screams really loud and no matter how much i soothe the child, he wont stop screaming.....after awhile i just get annoyed! I pick up the kid, rock him, rub his back, give him a snack or juice (the kid isnt old.....maybe like a year old), play soothing music....i do EVERYTHING please, give me some tips on how to soothe a baby with separation anxiety!!!
I'll do anything....i have to babysit for 4 hours and i dont want a headache lol.
2007-12-07 16:17:11 · 13 answers · asked by jasmine_foreva 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Oh i feel for you. My daughter went through that. Dont really have a definitive answer, but don't let the parents make a big deal over leaving. Make the good bye short and sweet. the more they hang around the more the kid will get stirred up. distraction works well, too. get her/him really involved in something before the parents leave. Good luck!!
2007-12-07 16:22:02 · answer #1 · answered by ~ Pussycat Doll In Training ~ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A few things that can work well at this age:
1. Distraction - when you get there scoop him up and take him off for a walk or to the park or library (if you can), or get him engaged in a fun activity right away, before he has a chance to get too worked up. Ask his parents for ideas beforehand.
2. It's often easier for little kids to leave their parents than to have their parents leave them. If you can, arrange to take him for a walk while his parents are still there.
3. Reassure him that his parents will come back soon, and acknowledge his feelings if he's sad.
4. Try to project a calm, cheerful and upbeat attitude about the whole thing, and be patient with him. It's really hard for some babies to be left with a sitter.
Good luck!
2007-12-08 00:33:44 · answer #2 · answered by daa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a mom of two, let me tell you--distraction. Even if it's cold, start by bundling him up and take him for a walk outside. I'm almost positive he will stop crying then! Then have a plan for when you get back in the house.
Don't be afraid to turn on that tv for a little while with a show that keeps little one's attention. Something animated or better yet, computer animated. (you may even go out and rent one today before you go there) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and little einsteins are popular with my little guys.
The more you babysit for this little guy, the more used to you he will become. The crying will get less and less each time.
If you feel you are going to lose it, just remember NEVER EVER to shake a baby. (you may know that, just in case you don't) It can kill them almost instantly. Just put him somewhere safe, close the door and call someone for backup.
Overall, don't forget that little kids can sense when they are loved or not cared for much. Just put yourself in his little shoes. How would you feel and what would you be thinking if your mommy left you and you didn't know if she was ever coming back? Just show genuine love.
2007-12-08 00:27:52 · answer #3 · answered by Danielle S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the parents of this child and set up a way they can say good bye to the child and talk to the child telling him that they will be back, keep a picture of the parents near by and maybe have the parents call home to talk to the child over the phone, even though he is only 1 years old, maybe hearing his parents will work! Good luck!
2007-12-08 00:28:58 · answer #4 · answered by butterfly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, babysitting babies is hard. wat u have to do, if u plan to be a long-time babysitter of this kid, is 2 become him & his families friend. b like a mothers helper 4 the day, so work on it slowly. this happend to me. the baby wouldn't sop crying if he lost sight of his mom. so i was mothers helper a few times. she went away while i held him facig the other direction. if he cried for more than 5 minutes his mom came bac & we tried again. now its easy 4 me to control him. :) also try to get the baby interested in something just as the parents are leaveing, like his fav toy, something shiney, etc. then, let him cry for a few minutes & keep at it, good luck!!
2007-12-08 00:26:04 · answer #5 · answered by advice giver & needer! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i babysit a lot and every child is diffrent.I watch a 10 month old baby a lot and he screams a lot when his mom leaves.So i found that if i get his attention before his paretns leave then he doesnt scream just ask thae mom and dad not say bye to him before she and he leaves because sometimes that makes things worse.
2007-12-08 00:27:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
what works for my little girl and other kids i have watched, as soon as they start crying hold them (like your hugging him) and take him outside so he can be distracted by nature. normally they pipe down. Singing to them is good too. and another game that we play is if they touch you say ouch! -but in a playful way. and keep playing that you can even throw yourself down on the floor...they get a kick out of that. Also, tell them its okay and that you understand.
2007-12-08 00:24:27 · answer #7 · answered by lukewarm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter loves to be thrown in the air (not too high- a big bump on the head would not be fun to explain to mom & dad..LOL) or I jump w/ her in my arms. Basiclly try to find something to distract him while his parents are leaving.
2007-12-08 00:30:07 · answer #8 · answered by Amy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
show up early so you can talk to the parents so they are aware that he carries on for awhile. Ask them if there is something he really likes ( favorite snack, tv show, game, toy) that you can have ready to distract him with after they are gone.
2007-12-08 00:22:35 · answer #9 · answered by poprocks_and_coke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's almost christmas. Put on some music, it works everytime. If that doesn't work. Try putting on some cartoons or a dummy in his/her mouth.
Good Luck To You!
2007-12-08 00:29:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋