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ruby_holler · Jun 18, 2010, 06:23 PM

Hello everyone! Well I'm babysitting for the first time ever! And it is really exciting! But I have absolutely NO idea what to do or how to entertain him? Or how much I should charge? He's a 2 year old so obviouslty he's going to be a cutie and I'm going to be watching him for a few hours . Any advice or suggestions you can give me would be awesome! Thanks!

J_9 · Jun 18, 2010, 06:25 PM

How old are you?

ruby_holler · Jun 18, 2010, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

How old are you?

Umm... that's kind of none of your business because I don't really KNOW you so...

J_9 · Jun 18, 2010, 07:00 PM

Well, as a mother, I want to know how old someone is before they babysit my child. I want a babysitter to have taken a course in babysitting before babysitting my 2 year old. If you don't know what to do with a 2 year old, you are probably too young to be babysitting.

J_9 · Jun 18, 2010, 07:06 PM

Let me add that it is very smart of you not to reveal your age over the internet, and you are right, you don't know us.

However, age and experience factors in on how much you will get paid.

ruby_holler · Jun 18, 2010, 07:59 PM

Well thanks for your postings and everything but I got some pretty good advice and suggestions and I think I know what to do I'm not an EXPERT or anything but I know the basics plus your idea of having baby sitting training classes is a really good idea I will definitely look into that so thanks again !

Clough · Jun 18, 2010, 10:45 PM

Hi, ruby_holler!

You might also want to click on the following link.

LINK

Thanks!

justcurious55 · Jun 18, 2010, 11:40 PM

So, I'm curious, what advice did you get? What are your plans to entertain him?

One of the two year olds I used to babysit would throw tantrums when her parents left. So what we would do is, before they left, I would have her totally distracted with something. We would be coloring, or playing with dolls, anything to distract her. And they would sneak out. She'd be having so much fun she didn't even notice.

The three year old watch now, and my two year old cousin both like to climb. So any time I'm with either of them I have to give them 100% undivided attention. They don't realize some of the things they like to climb could topple over on them. I'm constantly pulling them off things.

ruby_holler · Jun 19, 2010, 11:35 AM

That's really cool if I have that problem ill definitely try your technique so thanks for the extra advice and ill post everything that happened and what went down after I babysit him tomorrow so keep checking this thanks!

ruby_holler · Jun 19, 2010, 11:38 AM

Thanks clough! That definitely helped me out! And I want to thank you again for helping on my other problem so gracias!

redhed35 · Jun 19, 2010, 11:49 AM

Remind the mother,although I'm sure she won't forget to give you a list of 'do's and dont's'.

Example,any allergies,food ,pollen etc,nap times,and although you don't give your age,its no harm to have an adult 'on call' just in case,someone who could get there in a hurry,I'm not saying you won't be able to look after him,but there called accidents,because that's what there are,accidents.

ScottGem · Jun 19, 2010, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by ruby_holler

umm.... thats kinda none of your buisness bcuz i dont really KNOW you so....

First, I do applaud you for your caution, but in this case, you were way off base. Very often, how much a person asks for baby sitting is governed by their age and location. A 12 year old baby sitting a 6-8 yr old might get less than a 15 yr old babysitting a 2 yr old. The level of work and responsibility is much greater. Also, someone on LI, NY is likely to get more than someone in OshKosh.

So J_9's question was very much her business to try and give you appropriate advice. I would also point out that J-9 is one of the experts on this site, not just someone asking a nosy question. It might have been appropriate for you to ask why she wanted to know, but your response was kind of rude to someone trying to help you.

ruby_holler · Jun 21, 2010, 11:27 AM

Well first of all thanks for the advice and everything and just because she has an important title to her username doesn't reduce any risk and my reply post to hers wasn't meant to be rude in any way and I think she got that but if you didn't I am sorry j-9 if I offended you in anyway

ScottGem · Jun 21, 2010, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by ruby_holler

just because she has an important title to her username doesnt reduce any risk

Actually it DOES reduce the risk because the fancy title is EARNED and not given lightly. So anyone with that title is someone that can be trusted.

Alty · Jun 21, 2010, 01:20 PM

I'm curious to know. What do you think will happen if you divulge your age? Yes it's the internet, yes you should be careful what info you give, but you weren't asked where you live, what your name is, or any info that could help identify you. Your age is not something that will help anyone gain access to you, so I don't understand the concern.

Please, someone enlighten me. Should people not divulge their age on the internet? If not, what's the risk if that's the only info available?

Also, if it is a risk, then should the OP have told us the age of the child she's babysitting?

ruby_holler · Jun 22, 2010, 10:50 AM

That's a good response but I still have my opinion just like you do but I still get what your coming from and I can see your point also yea she's an expert and everything so she can be trusted I guess but I still don't know her and she doesn't know me and I just don't want to give out my age but if its such a big deal to everybody then I am 13

Alty · Jun 22, 2010, 04:24 PM

Thirteen isn't too young to babysit. I started when I was 11, although I have to say, I wouldn't trust my 11 year old son with a child of 2 years. ;)

Taking a babysitting course is a really good idea, especially if you're going to be sitting for younger kids. Also, ask the parents what they expect, bed times, nap times, snacks, play, TV (many parents are very particular about what their kids watch on tv).

Other then that, enjoy it. It sounds like you're excited, so bring that to the job, have fun, play with the little one, and hopefully more jobs will come your way.

As for pay, I have no idea what the going rate is nowadays. I think that $5/hr for a 2 year old is on the low end, but that depends on where you live. Ask the parents what they're comfortable paying. Talk it out. I know that for me, when I get a sitter, I overpay, because I'm grateful for the chance to go out, and I know that caring for kids isn't easy, but not all people are like that.

It's better to know beforehand what to expect pay wise. :)