Babysitting is a fantastic way to make fast cash—especially for teenagers. If you’re considering becoming a babysitter, it’s important to be prepared. Because you’ll be looking after someone else’s child, you must be completely responsible and equipped to handle any situation that’s thrown at you. Here are a few pointers for anyone who is getting ready to begin working as a babysitter.
1. Make sure you have first aid training
Having first aid knowledge is essential when taking care of someone else’s children. There are plenty of online course options for receiving adequate first aid training. A first aid course will help you learn essential skills like administering CPR and other basic life support techniques. Having a CPR certificate is a great thing to have on your babysitting resumé—parents will know that they can rely on you to take care of their children and provide CPR in an emergency situation.
CPR training is easily accessible, and there are plenty of online CPR courses that are available. An online CPR certification is just as good as if you take a CPR course in person, so it is well worth it to consider the online option. CPR Care is one of the best online CPR courses and will provide you with a reputable online CPR certification. These courses are offered at a reasonable price and allow you to take them at your own pace, so it’s a CPR course that is well worth the investment. This online CPR class can also be used for anyone looking for a CPR recertification.
2. Learn to accommodate each age group
Different age groups have different needs and restrictions, so it’s important to understand how to care for each specific group. Some babysitters prefer to work with only specific age groups. For example, some sitters will prefer to only work with toddlers and not newborns, whereas others may choose to work with older children that are in elementary school. Each group as age-specific needs that must be met, so if you’re not comfortable handling them, you should not put yourself in that situation.
One of the major differences in care among these age groups is the types of car seats. Anyone who is watching a newborn should understand how to safely use an infant car seat to meet the baby’s needs, while sitters who are with older children will have to just strap the kids into a booster seat. Whether you’re open to watching every age group, or prefer to remain with one specific group, it’s necessary to understand how to provide these children with the best possible care.
3. Understand proper child care
Whether you’re a first-time babysitter or have experience with watching children, you should understand how to use any basic accessory that their parents expect you to use, such as a stroller. Setting up a stroller the proper way can be difficult, and if it’s not done right it can lead to an accident and harm the child. Certain websites, like StrollerBuzz.com, can provide you with an abundance of information regarding baby strollers and how to get the best use from them. StrollerBuzz.com listed their top weather shields here, so you can research different strollers and accessories to use in the cold weather or under direct sunlight.
4. Have emergency contacts ready
While your CPR training should have you prepared to act in the event of an emergency, it’s crucial to have emergency contacts ready as well. If something goes wrong with the children and you need help, you must contact their parents or other relatives that may be able to help you. For example, if the child becomes ill or has an allergic reaction, their parents or guardians must be contacted right away so they can either come home or meet you at a hospital. Communication with parents, especially in the event of an emergency, is extremely important for every babysitter.
5. Respect the household rules
Although you may be in charge of the kids while their parents are out, the parents still make the official household rules. In order to be a respectable babysitter, you must abide by these rules. If the children are not allowed to watch TV after eating dinner under normal circumstances, you shouldn’t assume that these rules change while you’re home. Showing respect for the household you’re in will not only help you maintain order with the children, but it will also help you earn the trust and respect from their parents.
