Babysitting Tips

Safety Comes First
Being with the child in their home may sound like an easy thing to do, but there are certain safety tips that cannot be overlooked while babysitting.

The most important thing to do is be conscious of the child’s whereabouts, whatever you may be doing. Making a personal call is OK, but ensure that you can see the child at all times. In any case, never leave a young child alone and get busy with something else, especially with the TV volume turned up high. This goes especially for a baby, never leave a baby half changed on the changing table and run to attend the phone call. It could be fatal.

Strangers’ coming inside is just not acceptable when you are babysitting. Always check the caller’s identity when someone calls, and never volunteer information, specially the fact that adults in the house have gone out and you are alone with the kids. Once indoors, always ensure children are kept away from places that may be dangerous, open staircases, electrical outlets, broken pipes, scissors or knives etc. Children should not be playing near windows, if in a high-rise or even near glass doors. Don’t let the children anywhere near medicine cabinets, pesticides, plastic bags, beanbags or pillows, strings of any kind or garden sheds with implements in them.

Also never leave a child playing near a basement entrance, near fire hazards, garden sprays, anything with strings and unfriendly animals.

It is never a good idea to leave children alone for long, especially with potentially dangerous things around them. Of course, for infants and toddlers, almost everything is potential danger. The list seems endless but it is always better to be cautious.

Babysitting Tips
Security doesn’t stop as what you should do about the child. It is also important how the babysitter behaves while with the child. Be patient and careful when handling a child, it is priceless for the parents. Try not to smoke, there have been infant deaths caused by smoking caregivers. For infants when they need to be carried, make sure you watch your step, and try to avoid carrying packages with the baby. In case you hurt yourself, make sure the baby is put safely in the crib while you go to look for first aid. Slightly older children should accompany you. If you are in pain, and feel you need to leave, call the child’s parents and tell them the situation, so they can make other arrangements or come back early. Never even consider abandoning the child or even the children (even if they are older). In case you have a friend who can sit in for you, call them but take the parents’ approval before doing anything.

If you feel the children are misbehaving with you, try to handle the situation in a mature manner. Don’t blow up and get angry with the kids, causing bad breath, Not only will you lose a source of income for the future, but also the kids will become impossible to manage till the parents get back this time too.

Stay calm, never get into arguments, instead try encouraging, calming words with the children. Ask them what is bothering them, ask them how they would like their situation solved. Treat them as your equals, even if they are younger.. This problem of personality clash may not arise with an infant or toddler though babies have been known to have huge temper tantrums with new babysitters.

Share with the child what you plan to do with the time you are with them. Take them into confidence with what you expect from them, and ask them for their views. Talking as a friend will solve a lot of unwarranted situations. Don’t set rules, make a team that you are a part of. Set limits but don’t be too authoritative, the children may already be missing their parents, don’t make it difficult for them. While planning activities, don’t overreach the child’s abilities. Plan activities and games suitable for their age group, so the interest level can be sustained.

Babysitting is not an easy task, even for youngsters who love children. Firstly, the baby is somebody’s priceless bundle, and you cannot afford even a single mistake. However, spending time with children, and getting paid for it, is one of the most enjoyable things one could do so enjoy it, but be careful too.