Missy Blog

There is no way around responsibility when you are a babysitter. Having young children entrusted to your care, whether for just an hour or for an entire evening, is something to take very seriously. You may simply be a presence in a house with sleeping kids or you may end up facing a life-or-death situation! Anything is possible, so the best thing you can do when you are babysitting is “be prepared”!

Granted, no one can be prepared for every situation. A babysitter can have a working knowledge of babysitting basics, though, to make almost any situation manageable. Here are some babysitting tips you can follow to make your experience as smooth as possible:

• A good idea for all future and current babysitters is to take a babysitting workshop. There you will learn basic first aid and sometimes receive CPR training. If the workshop does not provide CPR, taking it separately will be advantageous.
• Always have contact information for the parents/guardians! If the adults do not have cell phones, find out where they will be going, the phone numbers for those locations, and approximate times they will be there.
• Keep certain information easily accessible at all times, in case of an emergency. This information should include: The family’s name, names of all children being watched, the complete home address (including nearest main road), contact information for the parents/guardians, contact information for close relatives or neighbors who are available to assist you, contact information for the family doctor/pediatrician (with a medical release form), and contact information for all local emergency agencies (Police, Fire Department, EMS, Poison Control Center).
• Do not hesitate to call 911. This is especially true for situations you feel are extreme emergencies, such as a seriously injured child or a prowler outside the home. Give the 911 operator your full name, inform him or her that you are babysitting, and state the emergency situation. Provide the full address, stressing whether you are on “Street” or “Avenue”, “North” or “South”, and then the family’s home phone number.
• Prepare written instructions for everything! You are not necessarily familiar with these children, so having a “dos” and “don’ts” list cannot hurt.
• Know if medications are to be given. Write down the name of the medication, how much should be given, and what time you should administer it.
• Know about the child(ren)’s allergies. Write down where emergency medications can be located and directions for use.
• Have written fire procedures, such as where fire extinguishers and emergency exits are located. Have the adults show you how extinguishers work and inform you of which types of fires they will be effective on. Prepare several escape routes!
• Know what the children can and cannot eat and drink while you are babysitting. The children may “test” your knowledge, so have the parents/guardians write out a list of everything they are permitted to snack on.
• Become familiar with the home and all occupants before the babysitting experience.
• At the very least, meet the kids!
• Meet any pets!
• Locate phones and exits.
• Find out if there is a pool, whether they have child-safety fencing, and whether there are any ways the children can get to the pool.
• Find out if there are any broken locks or other hazards you should be aware of.
• Know where hazardous materials are kept.
• Never have visitors while you are babysitting! Remember: This is a job! Socialization is for your free time, not while you are working!

When you follow the above tips for every babysitting position you hold, you will find you can relax more and enjoy the experience because you will know you are as totally and completely prepared as you can be.