How to be an awesome babysitter

Whether you’ve been babysitting for years or you’re just starting out, there are few things you can do to be an awesome babysitter. Here is a quick guide that will help make you the sitter at the top of everyone’s list.

Arrive early - There are usually special instructions that parents like to go over before they leave the house. If you arrive right when they asked you to, they might not have time to give you thorough instructions. Arriving 5 to 10 minutes is reasonable so they can give you instructions and you can ask questions. 

Turn the TV off - Yes, I know it’s easier to turn the TV on. The TV mesmerizes them and nothing can really go wrong when the TV is on - except that the parents won’t keep calling you back. If the parents hear that you got them involved in activities such as art projects or outdoor activities, the parents will feel like their money is being well spent.

Communicate - Make sure you know what the parents expect before they leave you with the kids. Make sure you are clear on what foods the kids can and cannot eat, when bed time is and anything else that you might not know about. Ask questions. You don’t want to have to send any texts or calls to bug the parents when there isn’t an emergency.

Be honest - Let the parents know whether you had a good day with the kids or not. If the kids were naughty, don't be afraid to tell the parents in a kind way. The parents will appreciate your honesty, and if they have a talk with the child maybe your experience will be a little be easier the next time.

Have fun - The parents will listen to their kids. If the kids don’t have fun, they will express that to their parents, and then the parents will find a new sitter. So try to interact and be creative with the kids so they will be excited to see you when you come over.

Photo courtesy of James Emery via Creative Commons

Sophia Grace and Rosie at the Grammys

If you haven't seen these ADORABLE girls that have been on Ellen you are missing out. Yes, I know this isn't about babysitting, but they are cute kids! Cute kids are relevant! They were first on Ellen to perform a Nicki Minaj song after being discovered on YouTube. Anyway Ellen sent them to the Grammys and they were hilarious! Check it out:

This is when Ellen tells them they are going to the Grammys:

I hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine project inspiration from Pinterest

I love Pinterest and I love a cute project idea. I don't have any babysitting jobs lined up before Valentine's Day, so I won't get to try this project with the kids, but you certainly can. I tried to pick a project that required items that you might already have around the house like pipe cleaners and red felt.

But first, here is something I did make as an ornament for Christmas, but it works even better as a Valentine's Day craft. Here are instructions on how to make your own heart baskets.

All you need:
Two pieces of felt different colors
Scissors
Letters to personalize
Glue
Candy!

1. Cut one long oval shape from each piece of felt. Theses pieces should rounded edges. Make it about 8 inches by 3 inches.
2. Take one oval and fold it in half. Use your scissors to cut three slits on the folded side that are about an inch and half long.
3. Then set the folded pieces on on top of the other so that they make a heart shape. The round sides should be at the top. Start weaving the felt fingers in with each other. Each finger should weave over and under, over and under the fingers on the other piece of felt.
4. Once you finish this process, glue on some initials to personalize the Valentine heart basket.
5. Fill the mini-heart basket with candy and present it to your Valentine!

Cute YouTube clip: You're not the boss of me

Babysitting tip #4: Boo-boos!

Always make sure to ask the mom and dad where the first aid kit or first aid supplies are in the house. It’s not a fun time when you’re frantically looking for first aid supplies while a child is upset about their boo-boo. The time you spend looking can be better used comforting the child instead. I also like to keep a few Band Aids in my purse for this reason. In any case, it’s always good to ask before they parents take off. Here is a short list of essentials.

Check off list:

Emergency contact list

First aid supplies and/or

Band Aids

Antibiotic Ointment

What would you add to this list?

Photo courtesy glenmcbethlaw via Creative Commons

Octopus hands with Body Crayons

Aren't these octopus hands cute? I've posted about Body Crayons before when I made alligator hands. They are the perfect little helper for babysitters. I just bring them with me every now and then for a special treat.

Should you bring your boyfriend to babysit?

I have been a terrible blogger recently. The holidays and work have distracted me from updating my blog. I haven't even been babysitting much recently.

Jimmy Kimmel is evil!

I love the boy who says he is heartbroken because he got a Barbie. Jimmy Kimmel is bad, bad, bad!

Top three rainy day activities for the babysitter

Rainy days can be your worst nightmare. The kids get restless and start bouncing off the walls, literally.

Jimmy Kimmel's "I Gave My Kid a Terrible Present"

So mean! ;)

And if I was babysitting that last kid, he would get a serious time out.

Need a Christmas craft idea for babysitting later this week

I wanted to come up with my own Christmas craft idea to do with the kids later this week.

Funny kids on Christmas morning clips

Here are some crazy kids on Christmas morning!

How to promote yourself as a babysitter

When you are just starting out, it can be hard to get babysitting hours. Once you have references under your belt, it becomes much easier. Here are some ways you can let people in your community know that you're available to babysit in meantime.

DIY holiday gift ideas: From the babysitter to the kids

Most babysitters are going to school, which is why they're are babysitting. And if you are going to school and you're babysitting, chances are you don't have loads of extra cash to spend on the kids. Even so you probably want to give them something!

Babysitting tip #3

Bedtime incentives:

 If you know you're going to be putting the kids to bed and you know they are likely to give you trouble, bring a "surprise" book and put it in a manilla envelope. Tell them that once they've brushed teeth, put on their p.j.'s and are in bed, they can open the envelope to find out what book you brought. You can use your own books from when you were a kid or pick one up from the library. My favorite book for this time of year is The Jolly Christmas Postman. 
What is your favorite children's book? 
What are your bedtime tips?

Cat attacks the babysitter

This cat is nuts: 

Hmm ... I'm not sure what the lesson is here. But don't feel bad if you laughed a little. And we will talk about this nanny-cam thing in a later post. 

How to be a health conscious babysitter

Whether you are going to school or you have another job the last thing you need is to catch a cold when you’re babysitting. But it does happen. So here are some ways to avoid spreading germs.

Babysitting tip #2

Sharing:

When a sharing dispute is brewing, I recommend these:

1. Take a step back and let them work it out themselves. You can let them know that if they can’t work it out on their own, they will not be able to play with the toy at all. 

Babysitting activity: Owl s'mores

So I got this idea from pinterest to make an owl s'more. It looked fairly easy and super cute. So I decided to try this when I babysat last weekend. I was watching four boys.

Three snack tips and tricks

When you're babysitting it's inevitable that you will have some picky kids every now and then. When I first started babysitting, I never thought it was OK to make the kids a meal or snack other than what the parents had instructed me to give them. Growing up, if I didn't eat what I was given for dinner then my parents didn't make me anything else. So I either had to eat what I was given or be hungry. Knowing this I usually just ate my dinner whether I liked it or not.  

Anyway, after babysitting for a few months, I learned that this is not how all families work. For some families, the parents prefer their kids to eat something rather than nothing. Over time I've learned to get creative with picky eaters. Once you get to know the kids, whether the kids have food allergies or not and what the parents expectation are, you can get a little creative. Here are a few examples to start:

Ants on a log

This is a classic idea that I've had a lot of luck with. When I'm looking for an alternative meal or snack, it has to be something that will be fun, quick and simple. Kids usually love peanut butter and raisins. They might not like celery because it's a veggie, but once it's turned into "ants on a log," they could care less. All you need is peanut butter, celery and raisins.

Polka dot waffles

If the parents don't have the items you need for ants on a log or if the kids refuse to eat any veggie, you can try polka dot waffles. All you need to do toast a waffle or two. Then cut them in 1/2 inch-wide strips. Then spread some peanut butter on each one. Then take some fruit jam, like strawberry or raspberry and use a toothpick or fork to make dots on top of the peanut butter spread.

English muffin or tortilla pizza

Again, you have to work with what the family has stocked and be creative. You can really get the kids involved with this one and make it an activity. You can use an English muffin, a tortilla or even bread and make a pizza. Then use pasta sauce, pizza sauce, olives, cheese, canned pineapple, salami or even leftovers. Then keep it simple and use the microwave. 

Kids are more willing to eat their food when it looks fun or it was fun to make. It also helps if you learn how to quickly throw alternative meals and snacks together based on what they already have in the pantry and fridge. Just ask the parents what tips and tricks they can share with you. Be creative and patient!