Babysitting guide

When babysitting one should know a few things before getting into the business:

1. Can you multi-task?
This past Thursday and Friday I was watching an infant and a five and six year old. The children that can feed themselves were girls and the infant was a boy. Things go very well when he is sleeping because I can play games and attended to the girls needs. However, when he starts crying and there is nothing you can do to make him happy the girls have to be put aside and all attention goes to the baby. He can be a hassle but with a few bounces in the bouncy and playing games with the girls everything can run smoothly.

2. Can you create random food concoctions that children will like?
With these same groups of children I had to create a yummy treat for desert to eat. I scrounged threw the pantry and found some Nutella (a hazelnut and chocolate peanut butter spread) and added it to pretzels. The girls loved it and found it to be a special treat.
Another complication is when I babysit my triplets and they each want something different for dinner. I could be bossy and say they only get one thing but I like to keep them happy so i try my best to cook the children what they like for dinner.

3. Can you maintain the children's attention?
There have been so many times when I have babysat and I get bored with the same activity they are doing over and over again. But I have to realize it isn't about my happiness in the situation its the children's. The children have to be the ones who are happy and well kept because that is what you are hired for.

4. Are you good with children?
I have seen so many people at the preschool that i work at that hate their job. They hate the children and they just don't enjoy anything there. I feel that these people should just find a new profession. I don't think it is a good environment for the children when their teacher doesn't' want to be there just as much as some of them.
Honestly it takes special people to have the patience to work with younger children. And these people are the ones who will make great teachers!

Babysitters may just be a great way for young teens to make some quick "easy" cash. However, in the long run babysitting was the first step for me in noticing I was meant to work with children.