Chronicle Books (Firm) - Babysitting Secrets

You love babies and little kids. Plus, youd like to earn some extra money. What better way to do that than to become a babysitter? Babysitting can be a fun job, especially when youre well prepared. Babysitting Secrets will help you to become the best babysitter on the blockand beyond!

This booklet will give you must-have tips on how to be a successful babysitter. Youll find valuable information about topics ranging from starting your own babysitting business to dealing with difficult situations to safety guidelines. You can read through this booklet once to get ready for babysitting. Then you can bring it with you on babysitting jobs. Use it as a quick reference guide when you need help with different sitter situations.

If you ask kids what they are looking for in a babysitter, chances are the top answer will be fun! One way to guarantee fun is to get the kids you are babysitting involved in engaging activities. This box includes 50 activities and games to make sure youve got fun covered.

The activities and games are divided into age groups to help you decide whats best to do with the kid or kids you are watching. This doesnt mean you have to stick strictly to the age groups. If youre babysitting for siblings, think about their personalities. If the younger kid wants to do everything his or her big brother or sister does, then pick a game or activity from the older age group. If the older sibling is a good helper and the little sister or brother is quite young, pick a game or activity from a lower age group. The activities are tools you can use to make your job easier. The bonus is that the kids will have fun at the same time!

The activities are also grouped by activity type. For example, you may be looking for ideas to get kids to settle down. You can scroll through the activities and look for ones with the symbol for Quiet Time activities. Or you may be babysitting on a nice day at a house with a safe yard. Then youll want to look for the symbols for Outdoor Play, so you can tire those tykes out! Youll also find fun activities labeled In the Kitchen and Indoor Play.

Babysitting is the first job that many people have. Because it really is a job, youll want to take it very seriously. Think of babysitting as having your own business. After all, parents are entrusting you with their children, and theyre paying you for taking on that responsibility. Lets brush up on the basics, so you can be successful and have fun!

You and the parents will need to agree on an hourly rate. How much you get paid depends on how old you are, how much experience you have, how many children you will take care of, and where you live. Ask your friends, family, and older siblings what the going rate is for different situations to get an idea of how things might work.

Sometimes when you start a new babysitting job, the parents will have a set rate already. If the payment is less than you expected or the job sounds like a lot of responsibility, ask your own parents about it before accepting the work. Babysitting is fun, but you still deserve to get paid a reasonable rate, since you are providing a valuable service.

Some parents feel more comfortable trying you out at a lower rate at first, maybe while they are still home or close to home. This arrangement usually comes with the promise of more money once they know you and leave you in charge for longer periods of time. Its a good way to earn trust, but be sure to find out how long youre expected to work on a trial basis and what your pay will be once youve proved yourself.

Speaking of trust, new additions may arrive to a family that you have been already babysitting for. If a baby is added to your list of to-dos, you may want to ask for a raise.

Make sure you know how long you will be working. Find out what time you need to start and what time you can expect to go home.

Sometimes parents arent sure what time theyll be home. If you have your own commitments, like a big soccer game the next morning or a test you need to study for, tell the parents that you have to be home by a certain hour. Dont feel bad, as long as you inform them ahead of time. You have responsibilities, too!

Because youre running a business, its up to you to keep track of your jobs. Set up a calendar with all the dates and times youre working and all your other activities. Showing up on time is especially important for a babysitter.

Take a good look at your calendar before accepting a job. If you have two tests, a science fair, and a dance recital one week, accepting a weeknight job taking care of two-year-old twins may not be the best choice. You may be worried the family will go with another babysitter, but parents will appreciate your honesty and good judgment.

Word of mouth is usually the best way to go when you want to get started. Tell your family, friends, and neighbors that you are ready, willing, and able to babysit.

Sometimes parents call local schools when they are looking for help. Ask your school if there is a list of babysitters that you can be added to.

Pediatricians sometimes have a list, too. Go to your doctors office and ask if they would recommend you to their patients families.

important: Dont give out your personal information on flyers or post your personal information on the Internet. When you are starting your babysitting business, focus on getting work from families you or your friends know personally.

When you are starting your babysitting business, you should have some idea about who your prospective families are. You have your own safetyand privacyto think about. Always check with your parents before you share any personal information with anyone. And never post personal information online.

You may want to team up with a trusted friend when you start babysitting. This can be helpful if you are on the younger side or if you want to babysit for a family with more than one kid.

Doubling the help can be very appealing to parents, especially if theyre having houseguests with kids or a party where the guest list includes both kids and adults.

If you have a babysitting partner, you can also split up the babysitting jobs. You might want to work alternate Saturday nights, so your social life isnt totally toddlers!