Good Babysitting Techniques:
Make Your Babysitting Jobs Easier

Good babysitting techniques are great to know whether you are new to babysitting or a seasoned babysitter. These help take the pressure off because these ideas help you be better prepared. Plus, you can use them as a great starting point for a babysitting tips list of your own.

• Have all the safety stuff under control. Check out the babysitting safety tips page for additional information.
• Be prepared for the age and interests of the kids you will be watching. Toddlers will have different interests and attention spans than kids who are 7 or 8. Crafts for kids are something that can cover different age groups - even if you are babysitting them at the same time.
• Determine how much flexibility you have in determining how your watch time is spent. Will the parents be setting out a specific schedule for you to follow? Or do you get to plan the time? The more flexibility you have as the babysitter, the more responsibility you have in taking charge of it.
• Know the schedule if there is one. Do the kids need to be fed? Do they need baths? What time should they go to bed?
• Know the limitations. Don't plan lots of outside activities if the parents don't want the children outside while they are gone.
• Have the job timing and payment worked out. Discussing money can be uncomfortable, but it will be worse if you wait until after the job is done. Parents expect to pay for your service, and you should have a good idea of the market rate for a babysitter. When you are talking to parents about the details of babysitting jobs, ask about how long you will be watching the kids and what you will need to do with them. After that, you will have a better idea of what your babysitting rate should be and you can talk to them about it.
• Understand that children can be picky but are also excited about doing different things. Even if you have been a babysitter for the same children before, they may not want to do the same activities or games again. But, if you have brought along books or activities that are new to them, they are more likely to get excited. Kids love new things! Check out our fun babysitting ideas for suggestions.

• Always be on time and dressed for the job. Remember that you should be comfortable because you will likely be doing a lot of activities, including sitting or crawling on the floor.
• Notify the parents if there is an accident or sickness. While it may be difficult to call the parents while they are out, it is not a good idea to wait until they come home. Accidents can happen - even to a great babysitter. Parents need to know that you are mature enough to report incidents.
• Be respectful of the children, the parents and the house. Clean up as you go and have the kids help you as much as they can.
• Be prepared to take care of the kids' necessities. This may seem really basic, but be sure you know how to change a diaper, fix a simple meal and give a child a bath. Any or all of these may be part of babysitting jobs, and you need to have the skills to do them.
• Be prepared for tantrums and fears. Even the best kids will have tantrums when things don't go their way. They might also get scared at night as they go to bed. These are all normal things that come with the kids' ages. Talk to the parents in advance about these things to get some ideas on how to handle them. Don't discipline children without specific permission and guidance from the parents.
• Be professional even if the kids are asleep. Check on them periodically to be sure they are doing fine. Don't turn on loud music or TV programs even if it won't wake the kids up. This is not the time for complete freedom since your job as a babysitter is not done yet.
• Have a good attitude. It shows - to the parents and to the kids. It also goes a long way to helping you enjoy the job as you practice all the other good babysitting techniques.

• Fill the parents in on the activities while they were gone. Did the kids eat well? Was there anything unusual or funny that happened while they were out? What time did the kids go to bed?
• Be polite and ask them how their evening was.
• Thank them for letting you babysit.
• Tell them how much you enjoyed babysitting and be sure they have your number to call again or for referrals.

Making sure that you are always professional, even if you are having fun with the kids, is the best way to ensure future babysitting jobs. And the best way to be professional is with good babysitting techniques!