Tips from the Babysitter

I love being a babysitter, I truly do. The simple pleasures are enjoyed so much more by a child and sometimes it's good to forget about "big people" responsibilities and color for hours and play tag. However, if your luck is anything like mine then you probably also have enough babysitting nightmares to make you reconsider having kids all together. I always seem to get the six-month-olds who cry until they throw up all over my new sweater, the five-year-olds who are compulsive liars (okay that was only once but still!) and the preteen drama queens who have more pairs of shoes than me. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to pick and choose my battles-there’s no use in crying over spilled milk (even if it’s all over my new favorite sweater) because in reality I used to be one of those kids too. Recently this got me thinking: being a babysitter (especially when you’re still a teen) can be one of the most overwhelming and stressful jobs if the circumstances aren’t right. Hopefully these tips can help make the whole babysitting thing a little easier, especially for parents who just can’t seem to find the right match:

 Know Your Children. We all have those friends who think their children are angelic gifts wrapped in bows that smell like sweet jasmine but in reality, their child is covered in baby food from last night and smelling of poop. It’s mean but it’s true and you’re totally picturing a specific baby right now. It’s okay, your secret is safe with me. The best way to ensure a babysitter will not only come back but follow a routine similar to yours is to WARN THEM if your kid is picky about certain things, screams when peas are on their plate, or will only take a bath if they have a certain toy. It may seem like telling your babysitter all of this before they work will scare them away but it’s better to have them prepared for the worst. This way they can control a situation to the best of their ability and ensure maximum happiness from all parties.

 Know Your Babysitter. If you are extremely particular about how your household is run then may I suggest holding a trial run for the babysitter while you’re still in the house. This way you can show them what to do and what not to do. If they don’t agree then maybe they are not the right fit for you! If your babysitter is scheduled to spend long hours with your children multiple times a week (more like a nanny) try to find someone with similar parenting styles. Everyone handles situations differently and if a babysitter is more full-time than once a month on date night, their relationship with the kids will change. The kids will see them as more of a friend which (if they’re a good babysitter) will force them to lay down the law a little bit harder-especially when it comes to meals, chores, and play time. If they set the rules differently than you would like, the kids are receiving mixed signals and will have a harder time responding positively-resulting in more of a mess for the babysitter.

 While the babysitter’s job is to protect your children, your job is to provide the babysitter with all of the necessary equipment. As a parent, pick a babysitter that fits into your particular lifestyle and most importantly that the whole family gets along with. Keep these tips in mind the next time you are looking to hire a babysitter and I promise things will go a lot smoother!