Babysitting 101: Taking Care of Children as if Your Own

If you want a job that involves playing with kids all day, then babysitting is the perfect work for you. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Dealing with kids for a couple of hours is a big responsibility. You will practically be paid to act as their parents for a short while…that usually seems eternity! 

Babysitting does not only entail playing with the children. It also includes taking care of them, feeding them, making sure that they go to sleep on time, and protecting them from possible dangers among many others tasks. Sounds difficult? You bet it is! So, here are some helpful tips to make your babysitting chore easier:

1. When you get called for a job, get to know your employer first before taking it. Ask some people around your neighborhood to familiarize yourself with them. Make sure you know who you will be taking care of so you know what babysitting strategies to use. Get the children’s names, gender, and ages as they may help you prepare for the task you will be doing.

2. Ask specific instructions from the parents on important matters such as the children’s bedtimes, food, medications, allergies, and TV hours.

3. You must also find out information on the parents’ whereabouts, time of arrival, and their mobile phone numbers. Ask them whom you may call in cases of emergency.

4. If your employers do not have a list of emergency numbers, prepare one for yourself. Make sure you know the address of the house in case an emergency strikes and the authorized people ask for it. Familiarize yourself with the place so you will know the emergency exits. Inquire on the location of first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other important precautionary tools.

5. The cardinal rule in babysitting is to never leave the children alone. Even a second at the telephone or a step away from your charges may be an opportunity for unintentional injuries or accidents such as drowning, fire, or falls.

6. Lock the doors and windows of the house as soon as the children’s parents leave. Do not allow strangers to enter the house unless you receive permission from the employers that you can let them in.

7. For phone callers who wish to speak to the parents of the children, do not let them know that you are a babysitter or that you are alone with the children. Instead, tell them that you are a close relative or a family member. Also, do not give any information to strangers. Just take their messages and inform them that the person they are asking for will return the call as soon as possible.