What makes a good babysitter? How can one become a better babysitter? These are common questions that arise among child caregivers, particularly among teenage babysitters.
There are a few simple things that every babysitter or child caretaker can do to become a better and more engaging babysitter. And a good babysitter means a happy child and happy, confident parent who feels comfortable leaving his/her children in the sitter's care.
Know How to Administer First Aid and CPR to Babies and Young Children
Every babysitter, day care provider, and parent should be certified in CPR for children and babies. A good babysitter should also know basic first aid techniques, like the Heimlich maneuver, how to stop bleeding, how to splint a broken bone, and how to administer first aid to areas of swelling, burns and other common injuries. Contact a local branch of the Red Cross for information on CPR certification and First Aid classes.
Understand the Basics of Child Psychology and Child Behavior
In order to be a good babysitter, it's vital that the child caretaker has an understanding of how the child's mind works. Understanding the basics of child psychology will help a babysitter to relate to the child and to interact with the child in a healthy way.
A bad babysitter who is not versed in the workings of the child's mind may contribute to the development of a child's behavior problems and psychological disorders like phobias.
For instance, a child caretaker who dismisses and invalidates a child's insecurities when his/her parent leaves may actually make the child's insecurities worse to the point where the child throws tantrums and experiences severe distress and anxiety when separated from his/her parent. A good babysitter must know how to react to the child in a way that promotes mental health and good behavior.
Speak with the Parent About Discipline, Punishments and Child Behavior Modification Efforts
Some parents will encourage a child's babysitter to dole out "time outs" and other minor punishments when a child misbehaves. Other parents do not feel comfortable with certain types of punishments like a "time out." So before babysitting for a child, speak with the youngster's parent on their preferred discipline methods.
A good babysitter should also find out what behaviors are acceptable in the home and what behaviors are currently being discouraged. Remember, children go through phases, so if a parent has recently been focusing on a behavior modification effort (i.e. trying to discourage a particular behavior, like nose picking), then the babysitter must be aware of this effort so that the child can receive consistent feedback and direction from the adults in his/her life.
Engage the Children With Crafts, Activities and Play
No parent likes to return home to find that his/her three-year-old child has been watching television for the past eight hours. A good babysitter must engage the children by planning activities like a nature walk, a game of catch or a trip to the park.
Simple and inexpensive craft projects for children are another great way for a babysitter to keep the youngsters engaged. Check out a few kids crafts websites for age-appropriate craft projects for children or print out some free coloring pages from the internet - there's hundreds of free printable coloring pages available on the web, ranging from Webkinz or Hannah Montana coloring pages, to seasonal or holiday coloring pages.
Be Reliable!
This final tip sounds like a given, but it's worth mentioning. If a babysitter is consistently late or cancels on short notice, this sends a bad message to the parent, who may be left wondering, "Is this someone whom I can trust to care for my child?"
Child care can be a very rewarding experience for both babysitter and child, and child caretakers who follow these babysitting tips are sure to become a favorite among the youngsters and parents alike.
