"How To Become a Regular Babysitter" by Alyssa A

            Babysitting is one of the best jobs to have while in high school. There is no "boss" who controls your work schedule, the hours don't conflict with school since you work mostly on the weekends, and the money you make is tax free. However, many babysitters make simple mistakes that lose them jobs. Here are some tips to create a sound foundation of families to regularly babysit for, allowing you to have some extra spending cash.

1. Availability

            First it is important to be available. Usually most families ask for babysitting service two or three days before the day they need you. If they want you to babysit on a Friday, they will usually contact you on a Wednesday, maybe a Tuesday. Unquestionably this is not a whole lot of notice and you may already have plans for that night. Nevertheless, we are all Seniors here and have taken Economics so let's apply what we have learned. A decision confronts us with a possible tradeoff. We can either stick with our original plans, or we can cancel the plans and  make some money. Measure the opportunity cost. If your plans are to stay at home to binge watch a new series on Netflix, you should accept the babysitting job and watch your shows another day. But say you have tickets to the Justin Timberlake concert or you are going to prom on that night, it is probably in your best self interest to pass up the babysitting opportunity. If you have a good reason, the family will be understanding. Being available is very important. If you are not available the family will ask another sitter, and if you decline too many times to babysit for them they will stop asking you. Consequently, you have just lost a job.

Tip: A good rule of thumb is to not cancel on a family two times in a row. If you have to you must have a pretty good reason. Also, if you are in a sport or extracurricular activity where you have weekend games/performances and practices, notify the families.. For example,  during basketball season I send out a text to the families I babysit for and let them know that I am in season and cannot babysit on Friday nights from January to March. After season I send out another text to inform them that I am available again.

2. Research

            Before even going to the house to sit, it is important to do some research to prepare for the night. What happens when you don't prepare for a test? You usually fail. It is the same thing with babysitting. There are three key pieces of information you must know about the family before you go over to work.

                        A). Number of Kids/Ages

                        B). House Rules

                        C). Illnesses (allergies, colds, etc.)

This information can be found out by just asking one of the parents (usually the mom). Now this seems like a simple step but passing it up has the possibility of ending a babysitting relationship with a family. One of the families I babysit for are strictly vegetarian. If I brought over some Dino Nuggets as a fun snack for the kids, I most likely would not have gotten a call for a second job. This information also helps prepare you for what type of night it is going to be. If the parents are newlyweds with an eight month old baby be prepared to change a diaper, make a bottle, and maybe deal with some extensive crying. If the family has three boys who are seven, nine, and eleven, be ready for a busy night where you will act as the referee, mediate disputes, and be asked a million questions about their favorite video game. Doing your research will allow you to prepare yourself and know what mindset and skills you must have before starting the night.

3.  Think Like A Kid, Act Like An Adult

            One of the most tricky things about babysitting is being relatable and fun with the kids while keeping them in reign and having them know that you are in charge. The kids are a direct line of communication to their parents, telling them if you make a mistake, if you are mean, or if you let them run wild; however, they also tell their parents when they had fun and if they experienced any new things.  The best way to achieve this balancing act of respect and fun is by packing a "Bag of Activities". Now a days, kids spend their time watching television, being on the computer, or playing video games. You should bring alternative things to do that are more interactive like origami, board games (Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders, Guess Who, etc.), or seasonal activities (painting-not carving-pumpkins for Halloween, creating Valentine's Day Cards, making paper snowflakes for Christmas, etc.). These activities are fun for the kids and put you in a teaching position, allowing them to follow your directions without you having to be stern or forceful. You must also pack a figurative "Bag of Activities". This is where knowing the kids ages is important. Freshen up your mind on topics that the kids are interested in. Be prepared to talk about Disney movies (especially the new movies like Frozen and Tangled, but do not pass up the classics like The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, and The Lion King), popular video games (Call of Duty, Minecraft, NBA 2k14, etc.), and appropriate songs/artists.                                                                                           

          

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Tip: I also find it useful to not talk down to the kids or treat them like they are "babies". This is especially important when babysitting kids who are in fourth grade or older. They do not want to be treated like little kids, especially when they have younger siblings. They see themselves as more mature than the younger kids, they want you to see them this way too.

4. Clean

            When parents ask for a babysitter it is usually because they are going out on a date or they have a work event. After a fun night out no parent wants to come home to a messy house. An effective way to become a regular babysitter is to clean up the house while the parents are away: do the dishes in the sink, wipe down the counters, clean the stove, pick up the couch pillows and fold the throw blankets, organize the kid toys. When the parents come home they will be surprised and appreciative, earning you some big points and a call back.

Tip:  I usually run the dishes in the dish washer and then unload them once the cycle is done to save time. That way I can play with the kids instead of washing dishes for an hour.   

            Babysitting is a great way to make some extra money and is an easily managed job to have while in high school; however, it does take some effort. Be available, get to know the kids, allow the kids to have fun, and pick up the house and you will create a sound foundation of families for whom you can regularly babysit.