6 Things Your First-Time Babysitter Needs to Know

Hiring a babysitter for the first time can feel overwhelming and uncomfortable, as you are entrusting someone to properly take care of your children. Being a babysitter can be both challenging and rewarding if you don’t know what you’re getting into. Taking on responsibilities, along with practicing problem-solving and getting creative, all play into what makes the job of being a babysitter a special one. Your babysitter may have a general idea of what to expect on the job, but there are plenty of things to learn before they get started.

If you are hiring a first-time babysitter or diving into the babysitting world as a parent for the first time, here are six things your babysitter should know.

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1. Make Note of the Basics: Babysitting is a lot more than simply sitting in front of the TV while the children of the house roam as they please, rather, it is a special job that takes a lot of attentiveness, dedication, and responsibility. Before you hire your new babysitter to tackle the job, make them aware of the basic duties and responsibilities that come along with being a babysitter, which can include: preparing snacks and meals, putting together different activities for playtime, helping with bathroom needs, supervising when necessary, and taking on household chores such as cleaning up toys, doing dishes, etc. Giving your babysitter a heads-up about these basics will make your life easier, and give them a broader idea of what they need to do while on the job.

2. Have an Understanding of House Rules: House rules are incredibly important for babysitters to know. During your interview process, be sure to clearly state what specific rules you expect your babysitter to follow regarding taking care of your children. Rules could include specific times to nap or go to bed, specific foods that are off-limits, limitations on TV or tablet usage, etc. Discuss these rules with your babysitter and be sure to establish what is strict vs. lenient. Ultimately, you want to make sure that your babysitter is responsible, that he/she follows your rules, and takes care of your children in the best way that respects your wishes.

3. Know Emergency Procedures and Contacts: Another key piece of info to convey to your babysitter is emergency procedures and contacts. If possible, have your babysitter research or even take training courses on specific emergency procedures, such as basic first aid, CPR, allergic reactions, etc. Furthermore, a blog post by ArtisyNQ suggests, “Have every parent’s number if there’s an emergency. Moreover, keep the cell phone numbers of the Poison Control Helpline and a child’s doctor accessible at all times. Know when to call 911.” Being prepared for emergency situations with this information will help your babysitter stay calm and know what to do if an emergency arises. On top of that, you can have peace of mind knowing that the person you hire will be knowledgeable in case an emergency occurs.

4. Each Child May Be Different Based on Their Age Group: In a perfect world, activities are universal and each child will find them both fun and amusing. Unfortunately, this is not the case, which means that it is important for your babysitter to organize and strategize different activities for each age group that you have in your home. Matthew Taylor of KidSit writes, “Older kids are more developed and capable of performing more complicated tasks, and they will probably appreciate more of a challenge. But younger kids might become frustrated or overwhelmed if you present them with an activity that’s beyond what they’re capable of.” For toddlers and preschoolers, suggest simple and engaging activities to your babysitter. Once the children get into the grade school years, recommend activities that are more challenging or strategic.

5. Always Keep Communication Open: One of the most important things to know as a babysitter, if not the most important, is to always be open about communication with the parents. Make it clear to your babysitter to contact you if something goes wrong, such as the child eating something they shouldn’t have, they’re not behaving well, breaking something, etc. On the contrary, encourage your babysitter to inform you of positives that occur while they are babysitting, such as eating all their food/vegetables, respecting rules without tantrums or fussing, or little things worth talking about.

6. Respect is Key: Ultimately, the golden rule when it comes to babysitting is to be respectful, and your babysitter should respect you, your home, and your children. This may be an obvious tip, but it is the most important. For your babysitter, being respectful is not just about saying “please” or “thank you,” but rather, respecting the job that they have been entrusted with. Following the house rules, being communicative, dedicating time and energy to engage with your children, etc. are all ways your babysitter can show respect in your job.

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Being a babysitter does not come without specific challenges and responsibilities, and it is important for you, the parent, to help them become familiar with the ins and outs of the job. Once this is established, the experience will be rewarding and give you and the babysitter lessons and memories that will last a lifetime.