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Becoming a babysitter! How to be a good baby sitter!

 9 facts to help you! Babysitting a young child, whether a sibling or a next door neighbor, requires training, patience, and understanding. Oftentimes a rite of passage for young teenagers, babysitting can seem daunting without proper preparation. With a bit of planning and coordination, babysitting can be both enjoyable and lucrative.
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Attend a childcare or babysitting class. In some places it is necessary to be licensed or certified before babysitting, either way it is helpful to know basic child-care responsibilities and techniques. Look for child-care, CPR, and first-aid classes in your area so that you are well-prepared and qualified for your first babysitting job. These can often be found at Red Cross, YMCA, and other community centers. You can also read books that cover the subject and answer many common questions about how to handle infants and children in many of the common situations.

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Be a mother's helper. Being in a home while a parent is there will give you a chance to practice and gain experience you can advertise. Helping out with your own siblings is excellent practice, too.
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Set up a schedule. As a babysitter, you are likely working for yourself (rather than a company) and therefore, have to make and maintain your own schedule. Although it may seem old-fashioned, fill out a calendar with all your free days and times, so that when a parent calls to schedule you for babysitting you know exactly when you are available.
  • Creating a color-coding system may be helpful in organizing your ‘busy’ days on the calendar.
  • Update your schedule frequently so that you don’t accidentally double-book yourself.
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    Decide upon a rate of pay. Although some parents have a specific rate in mind when they hire a babysitter, many rely on the sitter to provide their hourly wage. There are two options for selecting a rate: being paid a flat rate per hour, or being paid per child. The former is better for small families while the latter is best if you plan on watching more than two children at once.
    • Flat rate hourly wages typically range from $7-$12 per hour, but can be significantly more or less depending on the household.
    • Per child wages range from $4-$6 per child, per hour. However, to get a better idea of the competition and to see what is suitable for the conditions, get an overview of what others in your area are charging for a family the size of the family you are sitting for.
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    Create a list of health/safety information. You will also need personalized information for each child (such as allergy information), but you should have one generalized list of "worst-case-scenario" phone numbers. You may want to include:
    • Poison control
    • Police station
    • Fire department
    • Nurse hotline
    • A trusted person who has had children (like an aunt or parent) to contact in case of a minor case of confusion
    • Any other relevant numbers
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      Know what to do when being interviewed. It's hard enough to find parents who are looking for babysitters. The next step - perhaps the hardest - is to make yourself seem worthy of the job. It's easier said than done. Now it's time to set up interviews so you can get to know the parents and their children.
      • Just as you'll be finding out if the job sounds good, the parents will be looking to learn as much as possible about you. Tell them about yourself, your family, your school, and why you want to babysit.
      • Be prepared with a list of questions so you know what's expected of you. Write them down so you don't forget to ask anything. The answers you get to questions like these will help you decide if it's the right job for you.
      • If you've interviewed the family and met the kids but still want to learn more, suggest another visit so you can spend more time with the kids. Most parents will be happy that you want to find out as much as you can.
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        Know your comfort zone and its limits. Before you go, know what you're comfortable with and what you're not. You need to feel in control. If you're unsure about a job, it's better to wait for the next one. Your safety is as important as the safety of the kids you'll be watching. If this is a first babysitting job, make sure you feel comfortable about the family. Trust your instincts, and don't feel like you have to accept the job on the spot. Tell the family you need to talk it over with your parents before committing to the job. When you know what you want and what to expect, babysitting is a better experience for both you and the kids.
        • If you don't feel like you have the skills to look after a newborn, don't take the job.
        • If you're allergic to certain animals, you may need to turn down a job if the family has pets.
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          Ask yourself these questions before you decide to take the leap.
          • Do you enjoy spending time with children?
          • Are you prepared to take care of kids?
          • Do you have an awareness of young children's needs?
          • Have you taken a babysitting course?
          • Do you have experience taking care of younger siblings or relatives?
          • What can you offer to the kids and their families?
          • Do you want to babysit occasionally or find a regular babysitting position?
          • If income is a concern, will the hours and payment meet your needs?
          • How many kids will you be taking care of?
          • What are their ages? The amount of care needed differs with age.
          • Do the kids have any special needs? Special diets?
          • Does the family have pets? A pool?
          • What are the hours you're expected to work?
          • What are you allowed to do in the home (e.g., use their computer, help yourself to food and snacks or bring your own)?
          • If you have your license, are you expected to drive the kids?

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