I'm eighteen years old and a high school graduate. I frequently help babysit my younger cousins (ages 2-12) for free or at a low price, and I am fairly used to the quirks, likes and dislikes, of behavior of my relatives.
A family friend has asked me to babysit their 7 (I think 7) year old son for about eight hours this Thursday (I write this on Sunday). I like the kid and he seems to hero-worship me, so I'm fairly certain I'm going to accept. However, he has a reputation for wild behavior, so I am going in guarded.
My problem is, while I've played with him and helped to babysit him before, I've never been the primary babysitter. While my mother will be home that day, I really want to be as self-sufficient as possible.
So, I was looking for some pointers for babysitting non-family. I'm thinking that I'll start him out on cartoons, since he'll be arriving at my house about seven, and break up the rest of the day with semi-healthy snacks every 2-3 hours, and blocks of toys, drawing, and video games. Movies if I get REALLY desperate.
If you could give me tips, crisis management techniques, and ideas for free or low-cost crafts and games, I would greatly appreciate it. Movie rental suggestions are also welcome, although my budget is very small, and my selection is limited to a single small store.
:: here are some tips ::
IF HE GETS HURT then take it lightly, if you freak out he will too. i often play "abulance" with the child by picking them up and kinda spining them around as i make the siron sounds and such. if he's ticklish then toss him down on the couch and tickle hiom until he laughs, laugh with him. this will make him feel as if he i actually having fun and he will soon forget about the injury. if you know it is a bit more severe make sure to give him proper care and lay him down in front of the Tv as you cator to him, he'll start to feel better.
FOR SNACKS ask him if he wants to help with the snacks, usually making a child feel helpful makes them behave better and feel better. make fun snacks! like ants on a log, (celery, peanut butter, raisins), or smoothies! things that excite them rather then boring regualr snacks.
SOME GREAT MOVIES FOR KIDS would be The Incredibles, Grease, Shrek/Shrek 2, Toy Story (always works for me), and any other disney movie.
SOME CHEAP CRAFTS would be coloring books, chalk (outside), play dough, watercolors, madlibs, or even a water sparkler can kill some major time.
IF HE GETS WILD then do not yell! yelling makes a child confused and angry leading to more wild actions. thus, a simple fake call to their parents or santa clause usually works just fine. (calling a guy friend to pretend to be santa and lettin the child talk to them is a great way to really make them listen!) also, saying something like "o well since your not listening i guess you aren't getting that super deliecious dessert i was making for you...." and they usually jump to be good again, but then again u must supply the dessert or treat if they behave.
good luck!
[view]
(Rating: 5)
All excellent tips! Luckily, I have Shrek and the Mighty Ducks! I also keep Pokemon and Power Rangers on hand; we're both Pokemon fans.
|
