I'm going to a neighbor's house tonight to babysit their child. The problem is, the kid runs crazy. He's okay around his parents, but when they're not home, he throws a fit. He's almost 5 but he still will throw himself on the ground and scream or he will run around the house destroying everything. The last time I was over there, I was doing my AP Biology homework and he was watching TV and he noticed that I was doing something he wasn't. He got mad, came over, and ripped 3 pages out of my book (it cost $112!) and started beating on the keyboard (I was typing an essay), demanding that he wanted to play on MY computer. When I told him no, he started shrieking like a banshee and ran around his house trying to break everything. When his parents got home, I told them what happened and they didn't care. They said that he was just expressing himself and wouldn't punish him or offer to help me replace my textbook. The only reason I'm babysitting again is because I need the money. (continued)
2007-12-08 04:36:37 · 12 answers · asked by That Gay Guy for Da Ben Dan 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I have to do some more homework again (I'm doing it now but I needed some quick advice) and I have to do it there (I have to finish my 10 page essay...oh joy). I'm taking the computer again, they don't have one there that I could use. What can I do to keep the tyrant under control? He runs around like a menace, screams louder than I thought was possible, and breaks everything he can get his hands on.
2007-12-08 04:38:31 · update #1
Daa, I'm NOT ignoring the kid. I play with him for a long time and then he just wants to sit and watch TV, I'll sit on the couch with him and do my homework. The only reason I babysit is because they pay well and I really need the money right now. If I had the chance, I would babysit for someone else but nobody in my neighborhood has kids (other than this creep) and I really need the money.
2007-12-08 04:47:55 · update #2
If I could do my homework after the little monster went to bed, I would. When I put him to bed, he will come out and run around the house. Generally after a few times, he tires himself out and goes to bed, but bedtime is bedtime for him. I am the only babysitter who will do it--he;s scared everyone else away. Once again, I tell you that I am only doing this because I need the money. I have asked his parents if they would correct his behavior and they have ignored me. He acts like an angel around his folks (I've been over there several times) but when they're gone, he throws a fit. When I started my homework, I was sitting right there with him and he was watching his favorite movie (101 Dalmations) and playing his Xbox. I even asked his parents before they left if I could do some of my homework and that I would be right there with him. They said I could. I just don;t appreciate a 5 year old calling me a "little f*cker* and claiming that I'm a"rotten b*stard". What a little pottymouth!
2007-12-08 06:46:27 · update #3
I know how you feel, play with him. When he starts to break things grab his arm and tell him no. If he sarts to cry and throw a tssy fit take him and put him in a timeout area for around 5 minuets. If you have to do homework, do it after he goes to sleep. If he wakes up again try giving him some warm milk. Hopefully that should work.
2007-12-08 18:55:51 · answer #1 · answered by sousaphone_player 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While i do agree with "Give Blood", in that you shouldn't be doing homework when you were hired to watch the child. You could always try giving the kid something to do like coloring or drawing or playing a video game. Even letting him watch his favorite show or eat a snack will keep him preoccupied.
* You should never under any circumstances reward the kid for mis behaving *
2007-12-08 13:18:41 · answer #2 · answered by adramelke 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously teh kid rules the house and his parnts do not know what 'parent' means. I wouldn't sit for them again and I wouldn't go over htere tonight either. At his age he knows a whole lot better and I wouldn't tolerate it, I expect my child ot be on his best behaviour for the sitter if he has one.
When I have a sitter I expect her to be playing and minding the child not her homework, but I also do not mind the sitter doing work if the child is asleep. Do you have to try adn force this terror to bed? If so make him go to bed at bed time and then do your work, that way he won't be able to break anything on you that is yours. I wouldn't care if he broke his own stuff, that is the parents fault for not careing enough to raise him proper.
2007-12-08 13:38:14 · answer #3 · answered by becky q 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you have a video camera take it and tape this kid being a little sh.it
put it somewhere he cant see it if possible
also dont sit on the couch with him while you are doing your work sit at a seperate table where he cant see you
tell your parents that they need to pay for your book and ask if you can discipline him while they are gone and if so how if they say no and that they wont discipline him for what he did when they get home then you wont be able to babysit anymore
tell them straight up their kid is awful and they wont be able to find another sitter
2007-12-08 17:50:35 · answer #4 · answered by squeaker 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There seems to be a consensus here that you shouldn't go back to babysit this kid. Bottom line, you can't possibly hope to modify the kid's behavior in the few short hours you're there if the parents do nothing to discourage his antisocial behavior.
Secondly, babysitting is not the same as hanging out in the library. It is unfair for you to expect to be able to do your schoolwork undisturbed while caring for ANY 5-year-old child, let alone a menace like this one. So distance yourself from that expectation and you might cope better.
Believe me, as a parent of three, and one with a home office, I know the difficulties of getting work done with them. It's just a fact of life for caregivers, so you've got to pick and chose your times. Like the other answerers have said, wait for him to fall asleep, but don't go in with the expectation of having significant time to accomplish your homework.
All-in-all, this sounds like a bad match. The parents don't care about their kid's awfulness and you have unrealistic expectations about what it means to care for a child. I'd find something else to do if I were you.
2007-12-08 14:05:03 · answer #5 · answered by Jonathan S 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Most kids don't behave for their parents and are better for a sitter, so most likely he does the same stuff when his mom and dad are around and they don't discipline him for it.
Next, you probably shouldn't be doing your homework when you are being paid to babysit. It sounds like he wants some attention and you need to find a game or activity to do with him to keep him occupied. Homework is for when the kids' are in bed or get it done before you go to babysit or after.
2007-12-08 14:18:37 · answer #6 · answered by Lucy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Surely you can find something else to do to make money. These people do not deserve to have a babysitter. Maybe if everyone would refuse to sit with the brat they might decide their little angel is not human after all and do something about it.......but I doubt it.
2007-12-08 12:45:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
yeah i wouldent go back unless they helped pay for the book. but since youve commited mabey try bribing the kid. i wouldent use any thing of value in his line of site. andto be spitefull i would let the kid play in his parents room let him break their stuff !
2007-12-08 12:47:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
There are other babysitting jobs. You are a fool to babysit for these folks again.
2007-12-08 12:41:58 · answer #9 · answered by CarbonDated 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
tell the parents if they don't punish him then tell them you will sue for the cost of the book which they should pay foranyways
2007-12-08 12:48:32 · answer #10 · answered by Lynnette 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋