Help Your Teen Find a Summer Babysitting Job

One way that teenagers have been earning money for decades is by babysitting. Even though the economy is tight, families with small children still need sitters. Soon school will be out and parents who work will need a sitter for their children. It is possible that your teenager with a little help from you can have a summer job babysitting for someone in the neighborhood.

Before the teen starts to babysit, it would be a good idea to take a class in babysitting. Most Red Cross centers offer a class in babysitting. The Red Cross does require that the teen be at least 13 years of age and attend both sessions in order to be certified. The class is usually held one or two Saturdays during the spring and the fall. The price of the class is usually under $50.00. The class teaches teens how to deal with safety issues, play time and preparing meals for children. Once the student has completed the class they will be given a certificate of completion from the Red Cross.

Now that the teen has completed the class, it would be a time to make flyers for the neighborhood. The flyers should have a name and phone number stating they are looking for jobs in the area to babysit. Give the parents and idea of why you would be a good sitter for their children; remember to list the Red Cross babysitting course on the flyer... The teen should take the flyer and place on the doors for the neighbors who have small children that will need looking after. Other places to advertise would be a local elementary school church and don't forget the grocery store.

The next step is to help your teen prepare for an interview. Most parents will want to met and talk with the teen before they hire them. Some parents may even want the teen to come and spend some time with the children to see how they actually interact with them. Stress to the teen that it is important to remember they are there to watch the children. Not play video games, watch TV or spend all day on their cell phones with their friends. Have your teen tell how they will entertain the children, how they will get them down for a nap, and when it is important to call the parents right away.

In about a week or so have the teen go door to door to follow up with the neighbors concerning the flyer. The teen can ask if they have any questions and if they are in need of a sitter. At this point it would be a good time for them to ask for an interview. Since you and the teen have already worked on preparing for an interview, the teen will be ready if someone wants to interview them on the spot. Make sure they dress appropriately and are ready with questions such as fees and times available.

When your teen is called to sit for a night, make sure to have the teens get the first and last names of the family along with an address and phone number. If you are not comfortable letting your teen sit for a family that you do not know well. Call and request a meeting with the parents. Your teen may feel embarrassed about this, but it's for their safety. The parents requiring the sitter will be impressed that you checked into them as much as they checked into your teen before leaving their children with them.

Suddenly your teen may be the most popular sitter in the neighborhood. This will give the teen a chance to earn some money for savings or spending. This may be the first job for many teens and though it is not with an official company it is something they use in the future when they go to look for another job. Using these steps will help them to prepare for job hunting and interviewing later in life.