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I'm 13/f, turning 14 in June. I've never really baby sat before, like as an actual job. But I'm good with kids, and I think the safety of a child is first priority, I love kids so I'd never want anything to happen to a child. Well, me and my friend decided that tomorrow we were going to put flyers around her neighborhood (full of little kids). But could anyone give me any advice? How do you actually get the job? Do you need to write up a little resume, or talk to the person before you babysit? And how much should I ask for? I really want to get a new iPod touch and some other things by the end of the summer hopefully if I start now. Any other tips for emergencies? What's a best way to get the child to calm down? What if I don't know what to do in a situation, do I call the parent or my own mom? I just want some pointers so that I can do the best job possible.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Babysitting?
Aside from putting up flyers, have family members pass the word along that you are babysitting. And like you said saftey of a child is priority... You are more likely to get hired by someone if you have some type of training... most places offer babysitting classes they allow you to get CPR and first Aid certified. These classes really help you to learn what to do in a situation. Also try asking your mom if she were looking for a babysitter what would she look for in the person before hiring them. A parent is more likely to consider you if you have knowledge about what you are doing. As far as price goes when i was growing up we always asked for minimum wage/ hr so good luck with your job search!
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Aside from putting up flyers, another great way to get jobs is word of mouth. Have your mom mention to people that you babysit-- I got two jobs just because my mom mentioned it in passing. Also, if you have any younger siblings, see if you can babysit for their friends.
I've never heard of anybody writing up a resume-- normally they just ask you how old you are, if you've ever babysat before, how often you'll be free to babysit, etc. I've never had anybody really go into details.
I ask for $8-10 an hour, when I babysit for two kids. I suppose if I was only watching one kid, I'd ask for $6 or $7. Honestly though, with the family I babysit for, I didn't even give them a price. They just gave me money the first time I babysat, and I had no complaints so it's just been continuing at that charge.
Depending on how old the child is, it can be hard to get them to calm down. You really just need to suggest something else to do, but something calm and something you know they'll like. For example, I babysit for an eight year old boy (Alex) and whenever he gets riled up, I suggest that we go into his room and watch TV or play Nintendo or something. I dont usually need to be strict, but I hate when I do. Sometimes you just need to be firm; the parents understand.
It depends on the situation for whether you should call the parent or your mom. You really just need to use your best judgement. If it's something important that only the parents can answer, and you think it's something the parents would like to know about, call them. But if it's just a question on how to do something, don't bother them, call your own mom. The parents don't want to be bothered with their babysitter interrupting their night over whether their child is REALLY allowed to have ice cream for dessert or if he's making it up. But I'm sure they'd like to know if you, for example, can't find where his medicine is that he needs to take.
Good luck! The first time you babysit, you'll probably be nervous and it may be kind of awkward, not exactly knowing what to do. But it gets so much easier very quickly.
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well, to start off, just remember: If you for ANY reason, have an emergency and you dont know what to do...do not hesitate to call 911 and/or your parents. when you go there, it seems overwhelming at first, but try not to be stiff, have a fun, inviting, friendly, yet responsible attitude. If they tell you anything, like notes on their bed times and whether or not they need to finish their food, or drink their milk, try to mentally remember it, or ask to write them down. Also, when they are done, just make sure its all in your head by repeating it to them...just say "okay, so (example...) sam needs to be in bed by 8, and mark has to finish his carrots and milk.
Try to socialize with the parents, and make yourself well-known...as well as well-known to the kids to. Just be sure to have fun, bring some board games, or some toys. Try to find out the ages, thats what i do.
you might want to bring something for you to occupy yourself with IF and WHEN all the kids are in bed, dont bring anything big, like a laptop, you dont want to make the parents think that you are going to be on the internet the whole time, and dont have you phone out or be texting when you go to their house.
maybe you want to bring a movie or two for them to watch. Dont worry, your instinct will step in, and not only will they have a fun time, but so will you! If there are many breakable things, then dont let the little ones run around. And dont be affraid to say "guys dont do that, someone will get hurt."
One of the most important things to ask are:
~what time do you think you will be home around
~can you repeat that? (if needed)
~contact info (number...place...etc)
~WHAT CAN/CANT THEY EAT? if they tell you something you can have but dont menchon whether the kids can have it or not (like soda) just ask, can the kids have soda too? because they will mostlikely want what your having, so out of respect, if they cant have soda, encourage them to drink milk by drinking it with them.
and if they refuse, and insist on having soda, just say, (in a cute nice kind of way) "how about we have some milk or water?" then kind of inforce it by saying "which one do you want?"
GoOd LuCk!!! I know you will do great!!! Sorry this was kind of long, most of it is basic stuff, once the parents leave your instincts will kick in. :-) I just wanted to make sure i was thurough!!!! :-)
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I'm 15 and I just got my first baby sitting job a month ago, I was freaking out before hand because they were my neighbors grandchildren coming to visit and I was babysitting them for 2 days...the first day I baby sat 3 of them the second day I baby sat more of their grandchildren, 5 of the little angels! I didn't ask for any money, they just gave me it and I earned some real sweet cash haha :] Maybe you could ask for 5 or 7 an hour, start of small so they don't think your pushing it and plus, they don't know you so you wouldn't want to be rude. And for getting the job, the people who want you to babysit their kids will either call you or go to your house and pay you a visit, talking to you about a time and date [everything with deatils, so you better grab a pen and start taking notes when they talk to you about their expectations] and No, don't write a resume...that is like waaaaay too formal, this could be a one time thing with one family, so there really is no need for that. And the people you are babysitting for usually leave an emergency number for you, but if they don't ask them for one, they like that because they know that you are responsible and always ask where the band aids are haha, little kids are very clumsy :] But for other emergencies, call [obviously if it is an EXTREME emergency 9-1-1 but others call your family] And to calm down a child...well, it's different for every child and you will get used to their personalities, but what usually works is talking them in a soothing or fun voice, or try to settle them down by playing the "quiet game" and reward them afterwards. And don't worry, the kids usually tell you what they want to do, but bring some kid-friendly games along, just in case [twister and cranium cadoo, oh and apples to apples are big hits with the little ones]
xxoo Good luck and I'm sure you'll do finee. Relax, take some deep breaths, it's all good.
Understatementoftheyearx3
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You should start small really I mean start with your neighbors kid or youre cousins then start growing bigger and bigger and if you charge to much they wont choose you
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