...Babysitting?

[Ampris]

Well, I've been considering things. I've been flat broke for months now and only very recently (and for a limited time, most likely) started to make anything like an allowance. I don't have anything big to save up for; I just got an mp3 player and might want to buy some small things, nothing major, but I'd like to have money on hand just in case, and also to have a bit saved up. The lawn-mowing job I had last summer was given to my younger siblings 'to be fair' after a neighbor asked me to do their yard once, but they don't need me to do it anymore, and so now I'm back to square one. Mowing for other people won't work because there are professionals in the area, and the only other plausible job I can think of that people would give to a kid is, well, babysitting.

Now, it doesn't sound like a bad job a at all to me; I like kids a lot and could probably talk my parents into letting me do it, but here's the problem: I really, really doubt that I'd be mature enough to do it. I'm not one-hundred percent sure what the job entails, exactly, but I simply don't trust myself, and especially wouldn't want anything bad to happen while sitting. What if, for instance, I babysat some kid and didn't pay attention or spaced out for a second and something terrible happened? I dunno... I worry about these things. =(

So, I guess I'm asking for advice from people with experience with this kinda thing. Is anyone able to help me?

 

[flowergirlbecca]

You could always take a babysitting class at the Red Cross. It's not necessary but will probably help you get a job, and feel more comfortable in case there's an emergency.

 

[tinkerbellblondie19]

Take a babysitting course. Also, start out with kids you know that are about 2 and, if there are two, 4-ish. That way, you have a nap/rest period to regroup.

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

i already had learned how to do cpr, so a babysitting course wasn't necessary for me.
i have never had to use it, but having the knowledge that i could use it if necessary is good.
i would start out with older kids, first. they can generally fend for themselves, and it's like getting your feet wet before you try toddlers and babies.
i babysit from 8.30-3 everyday in the summer.
it can be annoying, but i would rather babysit where i can choose my own hours than work at a restaurant or office where they pick the hours for me.
plus, unlike lifeguarding or other "real jobs," none of your paycheck goes to taxes :]

 

[tinkerbellblondie19]

Honestly, as I said before, start with either one kid, probably around 2, or two kids, around 2 and 4. The 4 YO is self sufficient enough to entertain themself, but still (generally) has a nap/rest time. 2 yo's don't take as much work as infants, but are a little more work than a 4 yo. They nap, and are generally pretty well behaved with babysitters. (Based on personal experience).

I have been babysitting for 4 years, since I was 9. Try babysitting for a neighbor first, and have your mom home up the street. That way, if you need help for any reason, it's right there. For my 1st 2 years, I always babysat like that.

 

[Babyjustrun]

Babysitting older kids is easier.
They ignore you.
It's fun.

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

Honestly, as I said before, start with either one kid, probably around 2, or two kids, around 2 and 4. The 4 YO is self sufficient enough to entertain themself, but still (generally) has a nap/rest time. 2 yo's don't take as much work as infants, but are a little more work than a 4 yo. They nap, and are generally pretty well behaved with babysitters. (Based on personal experience).

I have been babysitting for 4 years, since I was 9. Try babysitting for a neighbor first, and have your mom home up the street. That way, if you need help for any reason, it's right there. For my 1st 2 years, I always babysat like that.

for me, toddlers aren't that well behaved.
especially two-year olds, who try to push the boundaries all the time.
and when you say you babysat since you were nine, you mean that you were a mother's helper, right? with the mom still being home?
because legally you can't babysit until you're 12.

 

[Babyjustrun]

Babies are the wrost to babysit.

 

[disney100666]

If you want to start out take a course. Then use a neighbor to watch one of their kids in the daytime! Also if you want to start out easier, be a mothers helper so the mom there and you just watch the kids while she does little things. Also if you have older kids they usally leave you alone and the younger ones like you to play. and if you need a break put on the t.v. or a movie and give them a snack, I usally do this a hour or so before the parents come back to clean up the mess in the house or to give myself a break. This helps the parents so their kids aren't wilded up. hope this helps. good luck