Melissa Higgins - The Babysitters Backpack: Everything You Need to Be a Safe, Smart, and Skilled Babysitter

Your neighbor has a newborn youd love to babysit. A family friend has two preschoolers and needs a babysitter. Your parents ask you to watch your little brother for a few hours. Before you say yes to any babysitting job, be sure youre ready for the responsibility that comes with it.

Before you begin babysitting, be sure you know the basics, including

1. what qualities make a great babysitter
2. basic child-care skills
3. how to deal with behavioral issues
4. basic first-aid skills
5. how to keep kids safe
6. how to manage your babysitting business
7. how to keep kids entertained and have fun while youre babysitting

What Should You Do? quiz questions throughout will help you know if youre ready to be a great babysitter.

Babysitting is a fun and rewarding job, but it first requires responsibility and preparation. You may want to jump on the opportunity to start caring for children. First begin by learning about the skills and qualities you need to possess.

A responsible and prepared babysitter always knows:

1. babysitting basics, such as feeding, diapering, and bathing
2. the backgrounds of each child, such as health issues and food allergies, and how to handle them
3. how to get in touch with the childs parents or guardians
4. where emergency supplies, such as fire extinguishers and flashlights, are located
5. the house rules and parents expectations for you and their children
6. simple first aid and when and where to call for help in an emergency
7. to keep her full attention on the children and never leave children unattended

The more prepared you are, the more youll be able to relax. Youll be able to have more fun with the children youre babysitting.

Leadership is one of the most important qualities of a great babysitter. Children need to understand youre in charge. When youre an effective leader, you build trust and earn the respect of both children and their parents.

Role modeling: Demonstrate the behavior you want from the children you babysit. If you want them to have a good attitude, always smile and show enthusiasm.

Respect: Respect your employer and the children in your care. Follow all household rules and routines. It also means respecting people as individuals, even if they are different from you.

Communication: When talking with children, use words and sentences they can understand. Show youre listening by sitting or kneeling so you are at eye level with the child.

Making decisions and taking action: Being in charge sometimes means making fast decisions and taking action. Watch for situations that might need your help. Ask yourself exactly what the problem is and what would be the best solution.

Caring: Good babysitters enjoy being around and taking care of children. Show you care by being friendly. But dont try to be cool and let the children do whatever they want. Children behave best with structure and limits.

You think you have all the right qualities to be a great babysitter. Before you start looking for a job, make sure you have the following points covered.

Get educated. Take babysitting classes and first-aid training.

Get your parents approval. Know their rules and expectations for when, how often, and who you babysit.

Know your limits. Does caring for a newborn or a child with special needs make you nervous? What ages are you comfortable babysitting? Dont take a job thats not a good fit. Will babysitting conflict with your schoolwork or after school activities? Know how often you feel comfortable babysitting.

Find clients. Spread the word through family, friends, and neighbors that youre interested in babysitting.

Interview the family. When a new family asks you to babysit, you may want to jump at the opportunity. An interview lets you and the family figure out if youre a good match. Take a trusted adult or older sibling with you if youre going to meet a new family.

Safety is always your first priority when babysitting. Pay attention to whats happening around you and use your common sense. Stick to the rules and routines you have discussed with parents.

Before you perform any kind of child care, make sure you understand and can perform basic emergency procedures. Take a basic first-aid class. Know when and whom to call in an emergency.

Remember the key rules in babysitting. Pay attention and never leave children alone! Be aware of whats going on around you. Are there toys scattered around that a child could trip on? Are there small objects nearby that a toddler could choke on? Paying attention to these things will keep kids safe and happy.