How to Successfully Babysit With a New Family

By Kylie Exline on November 29, 2016

An easy job for many college students is babysitting. You can do it part-time, on your own schedule, and with families that you decide. Quite the opportunity and interesting time.

As you meet new families and children, you not only want to make sure you do not mind them, but also that they like you. And in order to do this, you have to make a good first impression. At least, you should really try to because it kind of matters.

The first time you babysit is vital for various reasons. It is your first time to show the parents why you are the great babysitter that you are and why you get paid the big bucks. To discover how to successfully babysit for a new family, continue reading below.

Give respect to get respect.

Respect goes a long way, especially when you are showing it to people that are younger than you. Regardless if the kid is five months or 15 years, there has to be a level of maturity that you show. So treat them how you would want to be treated and you are off to a great start.

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Since this is your first time babysitting for this family, you want to be on your very best behavior. You also want to make the kids like you. This means not overstepping your authority or abusing your slight power. I know, it can be tough. This really matters with the age of the kid because we all know how tricky they can sometimes be. And we wouldn’t want stories being told of you being mean to them now would we?

Respect comes in many forms. Especially with reprimanding them. You want to make your first babysitting experience an enjoyable one, so try not to get off on the wrong foot. Then you may not get a second session and that is not really the ideal situation. Plus, your job may not require you to reprimand them if the parents are not on board with that, so just be cautious.

Keep them entertained.

If you are babysitting, then that usually means that they tend to be young. Therefore, you need to keep them entertained. There are multiple ways to do this, while also being age appropriate of course. Age happens to matter a lot in this case.

While following the rules that the parents left for you, you can pretty much win them over by interacting with them. This means that you can play games, be active, or watch movies. This really depends on their age, but they should not be bored. Unless they are grounded because that could cause for not the most enjoyable babysitting time.

If the kids brag to their parents about how much fun they have with you, then there is more likely a chance of you being hired again. And the best thing about babysitting is having families that you actually care for. You should be having fun just like the kiddies. And you are basically being paid for your own entertainment (#winning).

Keep them safe.

Kids have a tendency to make a mess. They also have a tendency to cause a lot of destruction for themselves and possibly on you if you are not careful. This means that if you do not keep an eye on them, they may just break a few bones or house items. And that would not be a good thing.

If the child is young, you obviously have to keep more of an eye on them. Wouldn’t want them venturing outside or in areas they are not allowed. If older, then you clearly can let them do more of their own thing. This is directed to more of the teenagers because we all know how fun that age can be.

Safety requires attention and awareness. Since this is your first babysitting job with this family, making certain that they and you make it out alive is number one. Plus, you will most likely be hired again which is always the goal. If you like this particular family that is, which I hope is the case.

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When you first babysit for a new family, there are a lot of firsts that will be occurring. You want to make sure that you all enjoy your time and that you earn the family’s trust. You should make sure to stay respectful, and keep the children entertained and safe. With these main rules, everyone should be in for a good ole time. You included.

You want to have just as much fun as the kids, and enjoy your own experiences and memories with them. And if all goes as planned, then looks like you have found yourself a new family to consider your own. Or at least to be paid by.

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