How to be a Fantastic Babysitter

When I was young, in my early teens, I used to babysit for extra spending cash. Some of the kids were good and obedient and other kids were spoiled brats and were hard to deal with.

In this piece, I will show you step by step on how to be a great babysitter so you can earn extra cash.

Look in the want ads. Many parents publish their need for a baby sitter. Or you may post letters and send them to parents that you know have kids around the neighborhood.

When you finally get a phone call from a parent who needs your services, always sound polite and eager but not too eager. Just make like you really want to baby sit. Mark your calendar for the date and time.

If you are going to babysit toddlers no older than four years old, don’t be surprised that they cry when their parents leave. Children around that age get very emotional and they get upset. Just let them cry and you must suggest to do something that they love to do, like playing with dolls or watching tv or even playing wild goose chase. Always let them suggest something that they love to do and do it. The kids will love you for that.

If you are baby sitting a child and the child starts to throw a temper tantrum, let he or she throw that tantrum. Don’t do a thing. Just let them kick and scream until they are all tired out. Children do this, because they want to get their way. When they are tired out from their tantrum, suggest something fun to do.

If you are babysitting older kids from age eight to age twelve, play games like computer games or card games. And don’t be surprised if a kid says, “I want to go to the Skokie Playfield. My mom let’s me do it all the time.” Well his or her mother said to you that they were forbidden to go to the Skokie Playfield. So say to the child, “Your mother told me that you can’t go there. sorry.”

If you are baby sitting a difficult child who throws his or her toys at you or swings on the waterpipes like a monkey, just be calm. Level with the child. The child is taking advantage of you, because his or her parents are gone for the evening. Say in a calm and quiet tone, ” If you keep on swinging on the water pipes, all the water will flow everywhere and your parents will be very angry with you.” If the child doesn’t respond or rebells against you, ignore the child, but keep a close eye on he or she at the same time. If you ignore the child’s nasty behavior, the child will stop at some point. The kid just wants to get a rise out of you that’s all. Don’t give it to the kid. Just watch the child in case the kid really does something stupid like pouring baby powder all over you. Again, talk to the child in a calm matter. Never lose your patience.

Babysitting can be fun or it can be hell. A good tip, try to baby sit some rich kids. Their rich parents will pay you more!