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Teens & Babysitting
Is your teenager ready to babysit? There are many things to consider, and many questions to ask yourself, if and when your child expresses a desire to babysit for someone else's child. Is your teen mature enough to handle making certain decisions? Does your teen have experience babysitting for one of their siblings? Are they responsible, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in babysitter training? These and many other questions should be considered before you allow your teenager to babysit. You should review many questions with your teen so they know what is allowed when babysitting and what is not. Are they allowed to use the phone? Are they allowed to invite friends over? Should they take the children out of the house? What ages will your teen be allowed to watch? Babysitting fosters independence, and can be a very positive experience. But be sure to cover as many areas as possible, so your teen will know exactly what is expected of them. We hope the following information helps inform you and your teen :).
Guide for Teen Babysitters*
Babysitting is more than just a way to earn money. It’s a job that requires a responsible, energetic and committed person. If this is you and you enjoy being with children as well, this may be your perfect job. While this guide doesn’t cover every situation a babysitter may encounter, it tries to offer some ideas for taking good care of children and for meeting the challenges of the job.
Write This Information Down Before the Parent Leaves the Child in Your Care
- Phone number(s) where the parent(s) can be reached, including cell phones.
- Local Poison Control phone number and emergency medical, fire and police numbers (911).
- Phone number of the nearest neighbor, friend or relative whom the parent knows will be home during the time you are sitting in case you are unable to reach the parent.
- Address and phone number of the house you are sitting at. This information should also be given to your own family so they can reach you in case of an emergency.
- Names and ages of children.
- Basic information about the child care arrangements contained in your agreement with the parent (hours, rates, how you'll be paid, whether transportation will be provided, etc.).
All parents are different and handle their children in different ways. Some are more strict and may give you more information and others may not be very specific. That’s why it’s also helpful to know or have in writing:
- The parents’ schedules and when they are expected to return home.
- Bedtime and sleeping arrangements.
- TV, computer and/or video-game rules for the children.
- Mealtime and food preparation instructions.
- Where important supplies are kept - clothes, toys, first-aid kit, diapers and diaper pail, food.
- What is off-limits.
- Whether other children can come to the house to play.
- Special problems of each child, for example, fear of the dark, allergies, etc.
- How children are generally pacified and comforted.
- How to secure the house.
- Whether the parents expect someone to come to the house while they will be gone (neighbor, repairman, etc.).
How to be a Great Babysitter
Be On Time!
If you are unable to show up because of sickness or other circumstances, notify the parents as soon as possible.
If you know of another responsible sitter who may be willing to take your place, the parents may welcome this
information.
Be Very Clear About Rates
Set the rate with the parent before you begin caring for the child. If you charge more or less after a certain time, or for
more than one child, or if you are unable to accept a check, be sure to let a parent know the specifics ahead of time.
Know how the transportation is to be handled - whether you will be expected to provide your own or whether the
parent will pick you up and take you home. If the parent is to provide transportation, make sure you set an exact time
to be picked up and be sure the parent has your correct address.
Find Out What Your Privileges Are While You are Sitting
It's good to find out beforehand about such things as whether or not you can use the TV or stereo (and if so, how
they function), what food you can or cannot eat, if it is appropriate for you to use the telephone or have visitors. It
is equally important to find out what duties the parents expect of you. For example, if you should clean up the
kitchen once the children are in bed.
Tips For Babysitting Greatness
- Make time to communicate with parents on a regular basis.
- Follow the parents’ directions about discipline. You may have certain ideas about how children should be handled
but you should follow (to the best of your ability) the rules laid down by the parents. Never discipline children by
hitting, spanking, threatening or humiliating. Set clear limits, then stick to them.
- It’s not a good idea to agree to do extra chores in addition to doing the child care (family laundry, vacuuming, etc.)
unless you think you will have the time and you really want to. Remember that these extra chores come second to taking good care of the children.
- You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself and the children.
- Keep phone calls to a minimum. Children get into trouble when adults are occupied on the phone.
- Write down messages from callers to give to the parents when they return. It’s better not to say exactly when the
parents will be getting home. Say instead, "They’re not available now. Can I take a message?" If a caller is insistent on getting in touch with a parent immediately, take the caller's phone number and relay the message yourself to the parent.
- Don’t have any visitors unless you’ve been given permission to do so. If you have permission, never delegate your
responsibility to that person. Remember - you are the one who was hired and you are responsible for the children (and your guest).
- Keep all doors locked and do not open them for strangers. If the parents have told you that someone will be coming by, such as an appliance repair person, get some form of identification before letting even an expected visitor in the house.
- Don’t take children out of the house to another place unless you have the parents’ permission. If you do have
permission to go someplace else, be sure to return at the time you said you would. If possible, you should give the
parents the phone number where you will be, or your cell phone number.
- Be prepared to tell parents how eating, playing and bedtime went. Parents want information on how their
children behaved in their absence. They will appreciate your input.
- It’s all right to discuss problems or mistakes with parents. Most parents understand that everything will not always
be "just fine." If you’ve had problems with a child, discussing it with a parent can be very helpful. If you’ve broken
something or if something unusual has happened, honesty is always the best policy.
- It’s a privilege to be allowed in someone’s home. Please respect the family’s privacy. Anything you learn about a
family while babysitting should be held in the strictest confidence.
- Set a good example for the children by the use of appropriate language and behavior. You are an important
role model for the children you care for and children learn many things, good and bad, by example.
- You don’t have to accept everything that happens to you while you are babysitting. You may not like something
about the family you are sitting for - it may be a question of different values or something more serious, like a
certain way you’ve been treated. Minor problems can often be resolved but don’t feel obligated to continue sitting for a family with whom you’ve had serious problems. You should feel in charge of who you work for.
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*Guide for Teen Babysitters Copyright © BANANAS, Inc. This article reprinted thanks to BANANAS, Inc., Oakland, CA. No further reprinting is permissible without contacting BANANAS. Reprinted with permission.
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