Babysitting Tips

Knowing basic first aid is very important if you are going to be caring for children. Contact your local Red Cross for information on taking a first aid course. Not only will you learn how to help a child, but it will make your as a babysitter more appealing to parents.

Keep yourself safe both on the job, and while your going and coming from the job. Keep your parents in the loop as to where you are babysitting, and keep your cell phone on you in case of an emergency while traveling.

Know your child caring limit. You don’t want to get into a situation where you have more children under your supervision then you are able to care for.

Ask the child’s parents what the house rules are. Never rely on a child to tell you, because they will try to get away with stuff that they normally cannot do.

Make sure before the parents leave to have all the necessary contact information. Cell phone numbers, the location of where the parents are going, a helpful neighbors number, and even the full address of the house should something happen and emergency personnel need to be called and told where to go.

While babysitting, do not overstep your bounds. No matter how curious you may be as to what is in the parents' dresser drawers or closet, it is NEVER appropriate to go snooping! Also, some parents may have rules regarding TV-watching in the house while the child is awake. It is your duty to honor those rules.

Before deciding to become a part-time or full-time caretaker, nanny, babysitter etc. for a particular family, make sure that you arrange a meeting with not only the parents but with the children as well. There are a lot of bases that you have to consider but personality-compatibility is the most important. You should feel an immediate connection or positive vibe upon your first encounter with the kids.

A tip for the parents with regard to finding a babysitter: I'm amazed at how so many parents will use just any babysitter that happens to be available. Folks, these are your children and it is your responsibility to protect them! Your quest for a babysitter should involve strict guidlelines and answers that must be met. How mature is the babysitter? What is their experience? How well do you know them? Have you checked their references? Have you interviewed them? And so on.

If you have to travel with the children anywhere, make sure you know how to properly use car seats and booster seats. It is against the law for a child to not be restrained properly in a vehicle. If you are caught you will be arrested.

When you go to baby sit take some of the toys, books and games you played as a child. Just because a toy or game is not as popular now as it was when you were a child, does not make it any less fun for someone who is playing with them for the first time.

If the weather is nice, get the children outside and away from the TV and video games. There are millions of things to do such as riding a bike (with proper equipment of course), jump rope, sidewalk chalk for drawing, and nature walks.

During the school year, if you are watching the child after school, have them complete their homework per the parent’s instructions. Some parents allow the child to play when they first get home – especially if they are playing outside and need the daylight. Other parents have the children do the homework as soon as they get home.