First Babysitting Gig

[beachbaby91]

This Thursday I have to go and meet the child, and speak with their parents. If that goes well, I'll be babysitting Saturday night. I barely even know the child, but he said hello to my mom and I when were were talking a walk and told us to be careful for cars. He seemed sweet, but I don't know until I meet him. I'm unsure of what to charge. Does anyone have any ideas on that, or any entertainment ideas for a 4 year old/tips? I basically know never to take my eyes off of him, don't break any house rules, don't climb on furniture, play with glass in the kitchen, use any appliances, and just to make sure of what he eats.

Thanks!

 

[TiggerLove101]

Hi!
I don't babysit on a regular basis, but I have in the past. (mostly for a 2 year old, OHGOD let's not go there)

For entertainment, the 4 year old I know loves "go fish" and Chutes and Ladders. That's a good one if you are trying to put him/her to bed, because when the child starts to lose, he'll want to quit. Works EVERY time.

He also likes to go to the park down the street, so just make sure you bring some juice or whatever and go for a walk.

As for pay, the mother underpays ALOT (i didn't set the rate, she just gives me money) so I can't suggest anything in that area.

If all else fails, throw in a movie or watch something on the Disney Channel

 

[court24]

Hi I baby sit alot for differnt kids of all ages I babysatt last night for 3 kids ages 6,3,& 2 there mom and my mom are really good friends i was really scared i wouldnt be able to watch all 3 of them because i had never watched 3 before ,but the 3 year old slep for 3 hours, and the 6 year old would watch t.v. forever, and the 2 year old was attached at my hip so it went pretty well i had fun even though it was hard and they told me they did 2 and there mom was pleased so my addvise to you is , cartoons are your best friend when it comes to babysiting a four year old

 

[Daisymae26]

i've been babysitting for a while, but never for a 4 year old by itself (for lack of a better word), mostly i babysit more than one child.anyway... go outside (in the backyard) and play tag, hide and go seek (set boundaries for this so you always know where the kid is), or go inside and paint or color something. let him show you what he likes to do and don't let him "pull your leg" (i've had this happen to me once, dont want to go there ). feel free to post any questions you have.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I have been babysitting alot this summer and last night I babysat a 6 and 4 year old.. There parents left at 6:00 and would be back at 9:00, not long just 3 hours, and yes I was supposed to put them asleep... First of all there house scared me it was huge... anyway at first I GAVE THEM some icecream because they had not eaten desert after dinner, then we got out some coloring books and we colored for 30 minutes but then they got bored, I suggested tv but they so did not want that, they went ot there bedroom and played house, while I cleaned up the kitchen then joined them, it was not a boring as I THOUGH IT WOULD BE YOU KNOW THE playing house it was okay ( brought up some memories ) I T WAS ABOUT 8:30 then and I TOLD THEM IT WAS TIME TO put on pj's they surprisingly done what I ASKED them, after that I READ THEM A STORY ( good idea it will get them sleepier ) and they went to sleep! Then I Ppicked up the toys and stuff that was everywhere even though I DID NOT have to and made sure I left the house just the way I FOUND IT!!! I watched TV for a minute before they got home, they gave me 45.00 dont know if that is normal or not ( i normally don't mention money then it seems i get paid more )

Overall it was not bad, but hope this gave you some ideas!!!

Oh ya and stay cool with dont yell or anything they'll tell on you

 

[beachbaby91]

Thanks guys! I have some things I know to do:

Someone on another board suggested if I have medical certificates to bring them. I do have one for knowing CPR. It expires in a couple of years.

Games:

- Scavenger Hunts
- Coloring
- Board Games
- Drawing
- Television
- Stories

The parents say he is really intelligent, so when I go to see him tomorrow, I'll ask him what he'd like to do .

Feel free to share more tips, thanks so far!

 

[Disneymusicgirl]

I babysit for a LOT of different families, for kids of all ages, and I too have had my share of 4-year-olds. When you get there, just to make sure he doesn't freak out when his parents leave, I'd suggest asking him to show you his room, or his toys. After that you can move on to playing with his toys or another game.
Game ideas:
-Hide and go seek (I think it was mentioned before, but it's really important: set boundaries for him so he doesn't hide somewhere you wouldn't think to look. I usually choose 2 floors and they have to stay on them. If they don't, they're "it" next).
-Tag
-Candyland, Chutes and Ladders (my 4yos LOVE playing them)
-Coloring
-Playing "house" or "school".....kids always love playing the parent or teacher!

When all else fails, use a movie. I almost always ask them to pick out a movie, cuz it gives all of us some downtime. Make sure it's not too long to finish, cuz otherwise you'll have a tough time getting them to bed!

Make sure you ask the parents for any bedtime routines they might have. Sometimes kids have things done a certain way. Right before bed, you can give him a snack, but don't give him too much sugar, or he will not be going to bed anytime soon. If he struggles at bedtime, make a game of it. Tell him you'll time him and see how fast he can do it, and the reward is a story. Or pretend it's a journey, and the destination is his bed. I'd definitely suggest reading him a story before he goes to sleep. It really calms kids down. When you're done, make sure you ask him if he wants the door open/closed/half open etc., and if he has a nightlight or anything. The parents might tell you that beforehand, but it never hurts to ask again. If the kid asks you to stay with him "until my parents get home" (which HAS happened to me, haha), then just sit on the floor of his room, silent, until he falls asleep. Then you can go downstairs. Oh, and one more thing: Definitely try to leave the house the way you found it. Clean up dirty dishes in the kitchen, wipe off the table and counters, and if you didn't have the kid help you before bedtime, clean up any toys that were gotten out. Then, if you have the time after that, lol, you can finally watch some TV till the parents get home!

As for payment, when I got my first babysitting gig, I just told them to pay what they felt was right (which was $6 an hour). Now, when I get a new family, I tell them that I usually make $6-$10 an hour, and they can just pay what they feel is right. When you don't set a rate, you usually make more.

Good Luck! It sounds a lot hard than it is, trust me.

 

[Daisymae26]

i agree with babypiglet... i always leave the house neater than when i came. i dont mean that you should "snoop" or naything, but clean up the toys, put away the dishes or empty the dishwasher...things like that. it's also helpful to take a babysitting class. i took one 4 years ago and its really helpful.

 

[tinkdancer]

I babysit a family with three kids, a 10 year old boy, a 3 year old boy (Oh my goodness), and a baby girl. With the boy I usually just give him all of my attention. If he needs a snack, I give him a snack, and when I feel he is getting to hyper, I sit him down and read him a few books, which sometimes calms him down. He usually just loves me flying him up in the air, being silly with him (which we usually do while watching Bob the Builder 20 times in a row). But that's usually what I do, but that's just me.

 

[themelbob1190]

This Thursday I have to go and meet the child, and speak with their parents. If that goes well, I'll be babysitting Saturday night. I barely even know the child, but he said hello to my mom and I when were were talking a walk and told us to be careful for cars. He seemed sweet, but I don't know until I meet him. I'm unsure of what to charge. Does anyone have any ideas on that, or any entertainment ideas for a 4 year old/tips? I basically know never to take my eyes off of him, don't break any house rules, don't climb on furniture, play with glass in the kitchen, use any appliances, and just to make sure of what he eats.

Thanks!

I've been babysitting regularly for 3 years, and most of the kids have been around 4. Never a four year old boy though...
Four is easy, but just be careful what you say because they will comment on it to their parents. I have been embarrassed on a few occasions.
I charge $4 an hour, and $2 additional for each child after the first. It's reaelly low for my area, but there's a lot of competition, so the number of jobs I get makes up for my small charge. Most parents overpay anyway.
Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[dvcgirl02]

I used to babysit, but then I started Highschool and just became really busy. I don't really do it anymore. I'm 15 so in a year i can get a job anyway. that's how i look at it, "babysitting is just the level you hafta sit on until you're of legal working age" lol that's what my uncle always said

Briana

 

[HilaryDuff9008]

I have been baby sittin sence my baby cuz was born (2 years)

 

[xxDisneyDancerxx]

I babysit all the time and I usually babysit 2 at a time and one is like 5 and he always wants to play cards or watch a movie..(like the heffalump movie ) So use some card games and maybe some TV you can keep you eye off him once and a while. But make sure you know where he is at all times. But someone said maybe take him for a walk and I dont think you should (well my opinon) because if something happens their mom will have to come back right away like if he got hurt. But thats my opinon. Otherwise just do what you think you should do and always have fun.

--

 

[beachbaby91]

I decided not to accept this babysitting job. The child was extremely nice and all, but it was unreasonable. I was going to get paid 3 dollars an hour, for probably 5 or 6 hours. That is only 18 dollars. Then I'd have to feed the child, bath the child, take the dog in and out, entertain the child, read the child a bed-time story, and put the child to bed. I thought that was a lot to do, and that the price was unreasonable. They said they payed their old babysitter that much, but I just don't accept it to do all of those things for such a low pay. That is under minimum wage, which is near 6 dollars as it is. I know normally people make an average of 5-7 dollars an hour, but that was not the idea in my case.

 

[TiggerLove101]

You did the right thing.
That last baby sitter must have had a screw loose.

 

[beachbaby91]

I wasn't so sure they paid their old babysitter three and hour. She is a senior in highschool now, and I find it hard to believe that a senior who wants to make cash would accept such a low pay for babysitting instead of going out with their friends. I called back though to give some time of finding a new babysitter. I know now that next time I will be naming a price instead of having people interupt me and name one. I think it's unacceptable to charge. Babysitting is practically a job, you get paid by the hour. I think at least minimum wage should be offered, otherwise it seems like a very unreasonably low price.

 

[Daisymae26]

You did the right thing.
That last baby sitter must have had a screw loose.

yes!

i never charge (its only b/c most of the people i babysit for went to my gradeschool and i know the families), but it has its problems. it wouldn't recommend not charging. this family i babysit for used to pay me $40 to watch 4 kids for a couple of hours, but now they pay me around $30 and its not b/c they can't afford it. so anyway, i've learned my lesson. good for you beachbaby91.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Good for you !!!!

That is exactly what I would have done!!!
Normally I don't say anything about the money and then they pay me more but I guess these people are different???
They asked you to bathe him, I don't think that they should have asked you too do that especially if you have never babysat this kid before... the most I have had to do for a very close friend I had to make the kid some hotdogs and mac and cheese, but to do all that for your first time babysitting the kid is unreasonable!!!

 

[tinkerbell12]

Bring a craft game or something. Like a nmake your own paper airplane and see which one goes the farthest. I do that with the kids i babysit and the 5 year old kid would NOT stop playing. i think he liked it. If it is a girl, one time i took a dvd over and we watched it together. She LOVED IT!! Then one time i made up a cheer for them to learn (the boy did it too) and they had it down by the end and they did it for their mom. It was cute!!

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

on relation to not taking the job in the first place.....



good choice! I get paid 5 an hr (10 extra if the clock hits midnight) for a 4 year old. I feed him and play with him if his parents are out late they let him stay up...just he gets his pjs on. 3 dollars! For that much work! Warn fellow babysitters in your area..if she cant find one then she'll have to raise the pay!