Babysitting Guide

In this guide you will find everything you need to know from babysitting infants to 10 year old. You will get food tips, play time tips, diaper tips, first aid tips, and a whole lot more. Everything you need to know about being an amazing babysitter is all here in this guide.

How Much should you charge?

This should depend on the number of children and their ages. For each child I would charge 3-5 dollars an hour. For infants if they are only a few months it doesn't take as much to watch them because they don't do much so you would most likely want to charge less. For say a 9 month old they are always on the go you will be chasing them all over the place so you may want to charge more. So for ages 0-7 months charge around 2 dollars plus your hour charge. Then for an 8 month- 2 year old charge around 3 dollars. For older kids charge around 4-5. With age and how many children combined you should be making 7 dollars and I wouldn't charge over 15 dollars. If you charge to much they will find someone else. Do what you are comfortable with and take into account all of the above

What should you know before the parents leave?

You need to make sure you know a few things before the child's parents leave. Make sure you have:

1. A way to contact the parents. (cell phone or the number of where they will be)

2. Make sure you know the address of the house you are babysitting at and the phone number (in case of emergency if you have to call for help and a phone number for your parents in case they need to contact you)

3. If the child is allergic to anything

4. If they take any medicine you will have to give to them

5. What and when to feed the kids (you don't want to get younger children out of their normal routine)

6. Where to put dirty diapers (sometimes they don't want them in the house trash for obvious reasons or maybe they have a diaper dispenser)

7. Bedtime and what to do at bedtime (what time and do you need to read them a story and so on)

Don't worry about asking to many question you want to make sure nothing bad happens and the kids aren't taken out of a normal routine when getting them to bed and feeding them.

What if the child freaks out when their parent's leave?

First step is to take a deep breath. Children to cry and which you calm them down and get their mind off of their parent's they will be okay, don't freak out. Now you need to reassure them make sure they know mommy and daddy will be back. You want the kids to trust you so don't lie to them tell them the truth on when their parent's will be back. If they aren't going to back until after bedtime, tell them that when they wake up in the morning they will be home. Don't tell them they will be back before bedtime if they won't be. Next you want to distract them. You can do this by reading them a story depending on their age, playing some music and dance silly with them, offer them a little treat like a cookie, a child loves to show off their room so ask them if they can show you and show you their toys, if they have pets play with them ask about them, put on a video or a cartoon it will usually put them in a hypnotic state, color, take them for a walk, make them laugh say something like "I bet I can make you giggle." or dramatically say "Whatever you do don't smile." They most likely will and they'll start to laugh and then want to play. If none of that works try calling the parent's it may help them to talk to mommy then ask for a tip to calm them down.

Mealtime

When you prepare the meal or snack make sure the kid is occupied and won't suddenly disappear and get into things or get hurt. You can put them in a high chair and give them a toy to play with or if they are to big for a high chair get a coloring book. Make sure the food or bottle is not to hot if it is it will hurt them and they could start crying. It's best if they eat at the table. That way the mess is contained and you won't get anything on the furniture or carpet. Feed them what the parents said was O.K. Cut their food into small pieces if their younger you don't want kids to choke. Say if they are eating grapes cut them in half, they can be slippery and since they are round they can be harder to bite.

Don't walk away while they are eating they can make messes in no time a baby can also wiggle out of the chair or into a bad position and get hurt. Don't serve drinks in glass glasses. Use plastic or a sippy cup, and something with a lid helps out a lot. Don't leave your mess on the table put it in the sink then when the kids go to bed or take a nap if you have time clean them.

Sandwich shapes- cut the sandwich into a hear or star or moon or anything you want. Kids can be picky but if you make it fun and change it up they are more likely to eat it.

Mini Pizza's- I make these all the time for myself and they are great for kids. Get some of the biscuits in the tube that makes the pop noise when you open it. Take each biscuit and make as flat as you can like little pizza's, put on your desired topping them put them in the oven. Use the package for the temp and time. Keep on eye on them so they don't burn.

If you don't want to use the oven do it on half a bagel and put it in the microwave.

Snack Ideas

Serving Idea's

Cleaning Up

The hardest thing is to get a child to clean. But parent's love to come home to a clean house. So make it fun, make a game out of it and reward them with a prize.

How to keep them busy

Kids like when you bring things

What to do when they fight with each other.

Bedtime Tips

If they are scared here are a few tips to get them to calm down and sleep:

For little kids talk to them in a low soothing voice. It's not what you're saying it's how you say it. Infants will react to it and they will calm down. Pick them up and walk them around they like to look at things and the movement is calming to them. Give them a hug or rub their back, bottom, or chest until they fall asleep. Read a book to make them sleepy and calm them down.

For kids three and up they can tell you what is scaring them. If it's the dark turn on a night light or lamp, stay with them till they fall asleep, if it's storming distract them first turn on all the light in the room then explain to them that its just the clouds bumping into each other that make the loud boom then sing a song, tell them a story, just keep their mind off it. If they have a bad dream sit next to them and talk to them and explain to them that everything is ok and sit with them till they fall asleep. If they think something is under the bed or in the closet get a water bottle from the bathroom label it monster spray and spray them away./

If you get tired splash cold water on your face. Don't sleep unless you are staying the night.

The most annoying thing they say to me is "But my mommy let's me!"

This drives me crazy. Here are some tips:

Try a substitute something you feel comfortable with or nothing let them choose.

Give them a choice that way they still feel in control

Make sure they know your in charge while mommy and daddy aren't home.

Diaper Tips

I have a nine month old nephew that I take care of all the time since he was born. I am not a fan of a poopy diaper but it has to be changed to here are some tips.

Be prepared- get the diaper, the wipes, and butt cream if they need it. Also make sure you have a toy to put in their hand so they don't move or reach down. Do this before you lay the baby down for changing.

Clothes- most baby clothes are snaps or zips so snap or unzip them then pull them up to their chest so they are out of the way. If they are just pants take them off completely. If the clothes are dirty pick out some new ones. Then just take all the kids clothes off change the diaper and put new ones on. My nephew loves to be naked so that will most likely make them happy and easier to change.

Use a toy to distract or talk or sing to them.

Be gentle-watch there head when laying them down put your hand under it.

If you forget the toy to distract them give them a washcloth or clean diaper they are easy to distract.

How to change a diaper

Bathroom Tips

Safety Tips

Choking

I hope this helps anyone interested in babysitting or anyone who is babysitting.

If a child start to choke stand them up in front of you. Wrap your arms around their waist like your giving a hug. The make a fist and place your thumb side against the kids belly button. Grab your wrist with your other hand and thrust or quickly pull your fist up into the belly. Repeat until what they where choking on pops out. Then call 911 then the parents as a precaution.

If an infant starts to choke sit down and lay the infant down on its belly with your arm running up underneath and hold the jaw to support the babies head. Don't cover the nose or mouth and keep the head lower then the body. Play the heel of your other hand between shoulder blades. Give five forceful blows with the heel of your hand. While supporting the head, flip them over on their back and place three fingers over the breastbone. Press down firmly on the center of the breast bone five times. Repeat the above steps until whatever they where choking on comes out then as a precaution call 911 and then the parents.

When they say they need to go they aren't kidding take them right then don't wait.

Don't scold them if they have an accident. Praise them for trying then help then into clean clothes.

Boy's depending on their age may need help so aim their bodies to avoid messes.

If they need help wiping have them stand and lean over that way it's easier for you then wipe front to back.

If they are still learning to use the potty remember to ask them every now and then if they need to go.

Make sure they wash their hands and if you helped make sure you do to.

Make sure electric cords, plastic bags, basically anything that can be dangerous is out of the way.

Lock the doors when the parents leave.

Watch the kids. In 2 seconds they can get in trouble and hurt themselves.

If you were playing out side and the child gets stung make sure the stinger is out by scraping it with something stiff like a credit or playing card. Wash it with soap and water. Then wrap and ice cube in a towel and place it on the sting to reduce swelling.

For a cut or scrape use a clean wash cloth to wash it. Use a dark color cloth or a red cloth so they don't notice the blood. Wash it with soap and water then put a band aid on it if you think it is need or if it will make them feel better.

If they get a nosebleed tilt their head forward and pinch the bottom of the nose closed to stop the bleeding. Don't tilt their head back.

If they have a fever call their parents while waiting give them so juice and have them sit down and relax.

If they child gets burned run cool water over it for at least five minutes for skin that isn't broken and just red. Don't use any creams or ice.

Swallowing something that isn't food is obviously bad so call poison control if you don't have that number call 911. Make sure you know what they swallowed so you can tell the operator.

For anything more serious call 911 if someone else is around have them call while you tend to the child. Then press a clean cloth firmly against the wound and raise it higher then the heart. Then wait for help to arrive.

Undo the diaper. Gently grasp the baby's ankles and lift. Slide out the diaper and fold it up so nothing falls out.

Make sure you have the clean diaper ready to go. Place the dirty diaper out of baby's reach. If you are changing the baby on a changing table and not on the floor keep a hand on the baby at all times.

Get a wipe and wipe from front to back. If you are changing a boy lay a clean diaper on top cause they have a mind of their own.

Apply lotion or butt crème if you where told to if not then gently grasp the baby's ankles and life and slide the clean diaper underneath and fasten it.

Dress the baby then set them someplace safe like in there crib or in the middle of the room. Then through out the diaper and wash your hands.Make sure they don't hurt each other that's the main thing . Give them time to settle down set them on opposite ends of the couch or in separate rooms and MAKE them sit there. Give them a five minute time out with no talking. Have them talk it out. Have each one explain calmly why they are angry and then tell them what you think to patch things up. Make sure they apologize when it is all settled.

Bring a video or music

Face paints

Small toys

Jigsaw puzzles

Stuffed animals

Bubbles

A small ball

Stickers

Board game

Cards

Night-light

Coloring books and crayons

Temporary tattoos

Anything fun tell them its your favorite thing and you want to see if they want to play it.

Infant Play- Roll a little ball back and forth, put a little toy in one hand and have them try to guess which hand it is in, sing a song, play look what I see by taking them around the house and pointing out interesting things and take them to a window and point things out that are outside, pretend you can't find them you know the old "I wonder where Katie went?", dance with them.

Toddler Play- Hide and seek, coloring, pretend a the couch is a boat or a spaceship, play doctor with their stuffed animals, build a tent.

Kid Play- Older kid's are the hardest to entertain so here are some idea's. Play basketball crumble up paper into balls and use a small waste basket, card games like concentration, go fish or anything else you can think of that isn't hard to teach, put them in charge for one hour they decide what to do then their sister decides and so on.

Make an indoor picnic. Kids will think its fun. Just put an old blanket or sheet on the floor pack the food in a lunchbox, basket or something to make do.

Have them take your order and you be the kid. Have them serve you something you already made up and then of course have them eat with you.

Play restaurant- Pretend they have come to a restaurant, set the table, tell them the special, write it down, give them something to color while you prepare the meal and serve it to them. Then when it's time to pay have them pay with what they colored.