hi my name is alex and i am 12 years old and have been through CPR classes and am ready to start babysitting. ADVICE ON HOW TO START.I would like advice on how to start babysitting.?
Ok Alex, get ready because its very long, but lots of useful information.
Babysitting Tips
My Rates
1-2 kids ~ $5.00/hour
Each additional child ~ $1.25/hour
*When you are babysitting a baby under 10 months old, you should ask to be paid a bit more than your regular charge, since you must give more attention, change the baby, feed the baby, and put the baby to bed.
Tips for babysitting
(ages 10monts- 1 year)
Games you can play: Toys that make noise, big blocks, pat-a-cake, and you can watch movies.
*Safety Tips:
* Always check for toys for loose or broken parts and sharp edges.
* Watch kids carefully during play. They may choose toys that are inappropriate for their age, especially if there is an older brother or sister in the house.
* Watch kids who are playing together.
Food (babies)
* Older babies usually eat solid foods as well as take a bottle.
* Ask the parents if the baby gets the bottle or the food first.
* Babies are messy eaters and need a bib.
* Buckle baby in high chair before feeding.
* Give the baby only the food the parents suggest and only as much as they suggest.
* Put a small amount of food on a spoon and place it well back on the baby鈥檚 tongue so he/she won鈥檛 spit it out.
2-3 years old
Games:
Ride-on-toys, push-pull toys, water toys, picture books, simple puzzles, hide and go seek, rolling and catching ball, movies or watching t.v.
Food
Toddlers usually have 3 meals a day, with morning, afternoon, and bedtime snacks.
* At this age, kids will be trying new foods, but the foods may still have to be mashed or chopped.
4-5 years old
Games:
Puppets, costumes, masks, play dishes, crayons and paper, arts and crafts, moves, dress-up, 1-spy, playing store, tricycles, wagons, skipping ropes, hula-hoops, roller skating, Barbie鈥檚, toy trucks, and movies.
Pre-schoolers foods
* Give the child the meals and snacks the parents have left.
* Give the child small servings.
* Don鈥檛 rush the child who is eating and don鈥檛 force him/her to eat everything on his/her plate.
* Get the older pre-schooler to help you set the table or prepare the meal or snack.
* If you have to prepare the meal, choose at least one serving from the four food groups in Canada鈥檚 Food Guide.
Safety Tips
To reduce choking
* Cut smooth or round foods into smaller pieces lengthwise so they won鈥檛 get caught in the child鈥檚 windpipe. Change the round shape of foods such as sausages, wieners, and grapes by cutting in half.
* Have the toddler sit quietly when eating. Running, laughing, or walking can cause choking while eating.
IF parents have asked you to prepare a meal, cook safely
* Know how to turn the stove or appliance on and off.
* Keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove.
* Don鈥檛 overheat or leave cooking fats unattended.
4-5 years old
Games:
Puppets, costumes, masks, play dishes, crayons and paper, arts and crafts, moves, dress-up, 1-spy, playing store, tricycles, wagons, skipping ropes, hula-hoops, roller skating, Barbie鈥檚, toy trucks, and movies.
Getting along with kids
Crying
If the baby starts to cry, try giving her a bottle, check to see if her diaper is too tight, or dirty, and try to hold him/her. Call the parents if the baby continues to cry longer than 15-20 minutes.
Colic
If the baby is crying in his crib, his tummy is tense and his knees are drawn up, rub his back or tummy gently, pick him up and walk around, or put him/her in the carrier and rock him back and forth.
Teething
If the baby鈥檚 cheeks are bright red, and is crying, and chewing his/her blanket, give her/him a teething ring, give a teething biscuit(either or), try soothing her by rubbing her back, carry her around the house and speak to her softly, call the parents if you can鈥檛 settle her down.
Shyness
IF the child starts to cry when the parents leave, speak to her softly and soothingly, tell her that her parents will be home soon. Approach her gently and quietly.
Temper Tantrums
If the child is throwing a fit and starts screaming, make sure he鈥檚 not close to the furniture or stairwell, and let him tire himself out.
Refuses to go to sleep
If the child doesn鈥檛 go to bed at her bedtime, leave her alone, she will eventually go to bed when she is ready, make sure you follow up her bedtime routine, read her and extra story, and give her a back rub.
Night Mares
If the child is having a nightmare, make sure that everything is ok, stay with her for a while, and leave the light on when you put her back to bed.
Bedwetting
If the child wets the bed, help her clean it up, change her bed, and reassure to him that its ok.
** Don鈥檛 ever say or do anything to embarrasse the child who wets the bed.
Refuses to share toys
If the child grabs a toy from her younger sister or brother, tell her you know its her toy, but her little sister wants to play with it too, try to interest both kids in a different activity.
Fighting
If the children start to fight, leave them alone, they can work it out themselves, separate them afterwards if it doesn鈥檛 end, don鈥檛 take sides, and try to interest both kids in a different activities.
Power Struggles
IF the child is testing you and won鈥檛 do anything you ask her to do, try to get her on your side, ask her to show you her favourite game and give her as much guidance as you can, and pay attention to her.
** Older kids may resent having a babysitter because they think they can look after themselves. Be understanding but FIRM.
Finding Work
To find work when you're getting started, ask around. Maybe your neighbours or others you know have heard of sitting jobs. When looking for work, be careful:
*Don't ever advertise. Anyone could take your name or number. Not all people have good intentions
* Don't sit for people you don't know or who haven't been recommended. Babysitting for strangers you don't know could be risky if you know nothing about them.
*Meet with family before agreeing to babysit for them. Even if you are referred by someone you know, you may not like the situation in the home or attitude of the parents, or you may just not feel right about it. If so, don't take the job.I would like advice on how to start babysitting.?
For one..change your screen name..
Babysit for your friends and relatives, then use them as references to branch out. Put up ads at laundromats, coffee shops, the local library and the grocery store bulletin board.
Make sure you have LOTS of patience.
Good luck!
First of all u need a baby!
I've taken classes at the red cross, the YMCA, and the library
they posted something on-line for me but we also made fliers and if you are really serious about babysitting you could make business cards and tell your friends and family to spread the word
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