Babysitting 101 -
Preparing your tween for this huge responsibility

PARENTGUIDE News May 2004

So your tween wants to be a babysitter? Well, before they go job hunting, here’s some advice on what skills they need and what they can expect.

Babysitting can be a good way to earn a little spending money without the commitment of an afterschool job. If your tween likes children and would
like to learn more about becoming a skilled babysitter, here are some things to consider from Cornell Cooperative Extension:

Qualifications for being a good babysitter
• good with children
• level-headed and mature
• know how to care for children and/or babies
(feeding, dressing, diapering, putting to bed, etc.)
• know how to appropriately discipline children
• know how to play with children
• safety-conscious

Aside from taking care of children, a sitter's responsibilities may also include:
• caring for pets
• taking phone messages
• knowing how to lock up a home safely
• cleaning up after yourself and the children

Safety issues while sitting:
• what to do in case of fire
• answering the phone
• answering the door
• knowing where first-aid items are kept and how to use them
• food preparation safety (using the stove, microwave, knives, etc.)
• Internet usage
• knowing where all the exits are in a house
• what to do in case of a power failure
• who to call in case of an emergency

Other things to consider:
• Be sure your parents know who you’re sitting for— name, address and phone number.
• How will you get to your job and back home.
• Be on time.
• Make sure you know the rules of the house and stick to them.
• Eat only what has been offered to you.
• Do NOT use the phone or invite a friend to sit with you unless you’ve received
permission to do so.