In life, you may encounter some road bumps. Same goes for babysitting! This page hosts a variety of different problems from babysitters and parents alike that would appreciate your feedback. Don't go through it alone. Let the babysitting community help you!
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Too Embarrassed to pass out flyers
Dear Babysitters, I almost passed out flyers but I got too embarrassed, so now I didn't. I baby-sit for one family now, but that is the only one and I want more!!!!! Please give me some advise!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Brooke Demeter
- Re: Too embarrassed to pass out flyers
Ask the family who you baby-sit for whether they know anybody else who needs a babysitter, as you would like to baby-sit some more. They're bound to know somebody! Then after babysitting for them a bit ask them if they know anybody. It worked for me like mad-I started babysitting for one family with one kid and now I've got eight families who call me for a babysitter. BUT ALWAYS MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU STILL WANT TO BABY-SIT FOR THEM TOO. OTHERWISE THEY MAY THINK THAT U DON'T WANT TO BABY-SIT FOR THEM ANYMORE.
-Katie
Learning
I baby-sit this 4-year old almost five and she still does not know her ABC's. I am looking for anyone with suggestions.
-Kristen
- Re: Learning
It help the young girl to learn her abc's try to sing the ALPHABET song to at least 3 times a day that you watch her. Also using alphabet cereal to help encourage her to identify letters. Good luck!!!
-Kerrie
- Re: Learning
You want to help the child learn her a,b,c's well a way that might work is if you make flash cards with the alphabet on them. And on the back draw or trace a picture that starts with that letter. Not only will they learn their a,b,c's but they will have fun doing it also.
-CJ
- Re: Learning
For kids that young learning has to be fun. You could make up a game that includes them learning their ABCs or a fun song that they will catch on to quickly. Another suggestion would be to find coloring books that have the ABCs in them and talk about the alphabet when they are coloring so that they understand. I once taught a little girl how to write her letters by drawing them out in dotted lines and having her trace them. Just remember to make it fun and good luck!
-Experienced Babysitter
- Re: Learning
Teach her with real life objects. Bring in 1 object for each letter and sort them out together. Do this every time you baby-sit- with different objects.
-Becca
- Re: Learning
Play a game take 26 index cards and put one letter on each card. see how many times she can go through the deck without missing any cards when she gets it right five times in a row put them away and let her have fun
-Brenda
- Re: Learning
Well, if you are really worried about her, teach her alphabet. What you do is write the letter and say the letter. Tell her to repeat the letter. You should give her examples of the letter like show her an apple and say " Apple starts with A." Once she masters those you can have her start trying to write the letters. It works but you have to be patient with her. Remember, she is only 4!
-Kayla
- Re: Learning
Different children learn at different rates, and in different ways. Some learn best by seeing, some by hearing, and others by doing.
Many of the suggestions here are great-but here's another one that everyone can try-
You need:
A set of index cards
Glue that dries clear
Sand
A large cookie sheet with sides, or a cake pan (to contain the mess)
Write a capital letter on each card with glue. (1 or 2 at a time works best)
Put the cards in the cookie pan, and sprinkle sand on the cards.
Allow to dry.
Shake excess sand off the cards.
Don't forget to clean up your mess!
Once your set of cards is complete, teach her how to trace the letters with her finger- she can feel the sand, and it adds one more layer of learning.
Now she SEES the letter, HEARS the letter's name and how it sounds, and FEELS how the letter if made.
You can make up lots of games with these cards, and they often become favorites.
You can even make another set of cards with lower case letters, and use them for matching!
Good luck!
-Mrs. Char
Advertisement
How can I advertise, and get more families?
-Whitney
- Re: Advertisement
A easy way to advertise is to pass out flyers. That way parents know you want to baby-sit. That also helps you get more families. To get more families you can participate in neighborhood events so you can meet new families and then they will be comfortable leaving you with there kids.
-Lindsey
Identical Twins
In November, my new neighbors are moving in. They have two 8 year old identical twins named Sean and Cory. It is virtually impossible to tell them apart. The only thing I could think of was to put their first initial in marker on their forehead but I don't think that was the best idea. Does anyone have any ideas on how to tell them apart?
- Kayla
- Re: Identical Twins
identical twins can be very difficult as I'm sure u already know. to tell them apart u can do lots of things, like get blank stickers and write their names on them, then have them color them, and stick them on their shirts. so they have fun expressing themselves, and u get to tell them apart. try it with different shapes different days, then after a while u will get to know their personalities and u can tell them apart. usually twins are very different personality-wise.
-Becky
- Re: Identical Twins
I don't know how you can tell them a part at first, but after you start to really know them, you will be able to tell them a part by their actions and attitudes. Maybe even, how they talk to you or who's smarter, or more interesting. Please e-mail me back at and tell me if this helped or if you found a different way to tell them a part.
-Brittany
- Re: Identical Twins
Try to find something different about their face. Look at Mary Kate and Ashley. They have different beauty marks (or moles whatever you call them) on their face. Do you know anybody else who knows twins? Ask them how they tell them apart. Usually personalities are very different
-Riley
- Re: Identical Twins
When you dress them try to dress them in different clothes and if that is not possible then tell them you are going to play a game. The game is going to be you are going to put name tags on them and when there mom comes home tell them to take it off.
-Amy
- Re: Identical Twins
When you first go to their house say now which one are you? They will say Sean or Cory. If they are not wearing the same shirt look at Sean or Cory's shirt and memorize it...then you will know it is Sean or Cory....I baby-sit triplets and that is how I know who is who!
-Julie
- Re: Identical Twins
Have them wear name tags! Or, have them wear different colors of clothes. I've done this in the past and it helped me.
-Gabrielle
- Re: Identical Twins
Thats ok I have the same problem. Then I had a great idea, it was to put different colored stickers on it the childrens hands or clothes, tell them the stickers are for some thing, like if they keep them, they get a treat or a present. And the teat or present dose not have to be big it could just be a cookie or give them back a toy you had to take a way because they were being bad.
-Kristie
Why don't they think I'm old enough?
I sent out my resume to all the families in my community. (there's not a lot of people where I live) but they don't seem too interested. Its like they think a 13 year old cant handle the job! but I can. I love kids! I'm more their friend then someone who tells them what to do. can you help?
-Sam
- Re: Why don't they think I'm old enough?
I am only 13 also but I have 4 babysitting jobs and I don't think it has anything to do with the age when I put my flyers out I put hi I am a 13 year old babysitter I love kids and they love me (from what I know lol) I am responsible loving and caring and I just like to have fun! for more info blahblah blah blah lol anyways if you put something about how your responsible and stuff like that maybe you can get more business! or just wait until your 14 lol I'm turning 14 in august 31st
-Alicia
- Re: Why don't they think I'm old enough?
Well, I think 13 is old enough but to show them that you are capable and would do well enough for them to hire you as a realbabysitter, you should ask around to be a "mother's helper". Then all you do is go to the house and look after the kids for a while when the mom or dad does little chores around the house. You could talk with the parents so they get to know you - and realize that you are mature and responsible enough to look after their children alone. Keep in mind that you should be paid...about $3 an hour for this.
-Jessica
- Re: Why don't they think I'm old enough?
Maybe the parents think that u r not immature or not responsible. Maybe you should meet some of the families in private, and tell them about yourself. Having good grades is also a plus for you, because they will know that if u have bad grades, u probably don't pay much attention in class, and u can't blame them for thinking that u won't pay attention to their kids! Another thing is that it may not even be your age that keeps them from getting in contact w/ u. Maybe they already have a babysitter, or maybe they think that u charge 2 much. Well, anyways, I think that maybe your family and another family w/ kids that u know should have dinner together, so u could get 2 know the kids, the parents would find out about u, and u could talk things out.
-Vanessa
- Re: Why don't they think I'm old enough?
Don't worry. I am twelve years old, you just have to prove you are old enough by watching your brothers and sisters (if you have any) and get some references to show people, that is what I did. I hope this helps.
-Jen
How many kids can I watch at a time?
I need to know what the law says about the amount of children I can baby-sit at a time.
-Melanie
- Re: How many kids can I watch at a time?
This is for the "How Many Kids Can I Baby-sit At Once" problem. My suggestion: I really don't think there's a law for that. You have to find out what your capabilities are. If you have enough trouble babysitting 1 child and don't think you can baby-sit 2 at a time, that's fine. But if you can handle more, that's fine too! Basically, it depends on how much you can handle.
-Delisa
They Just won't listen to me
I baby-sit 3 girls ages 8,7,& 4 about. They won't listen to me when I tell them to get their pajamas on and for them to clean up the toy room as well as going to bed on time. What should I do?
-Anna
- Re: They Just won't listen to me
Hi Anna!
Maybe try thinking of fun little games to get the girls interested and put into cleaning up and listening to you . Such as rewards , and loosing rewards. For example , On a sheet of paper put their names and if they clean up good , or whoever gets cleaned up faster , or whoever listens ext , gets a sticker by their name , and whoever has the most stickers by the end of the day or week ext. wins a prize (Try to pick one you think they would like depending on their personalities.
I hope this works!
If it doesnt , you should consider talking to their parents.
Email and tell me how things work out.
:)
-Sarah
- Re: They Just won't listen to me
Hi!! I babysit my little sisters alot and this is a problem that happens to me because they think that just because im their sister they dont have to listen to me. So whenever i tell them to do something like put up their toys i say "I'll time you." and count while they put up their things. They think its fun and its a great way to get them to do what they are supposed to!!
- Celeste
I don't know how to get business and I already passed out flyers.
I put up flyers and gave them to people I know have kids, but I can't get any business. I don't know what to do. Please help me.
-Amy
- No Answers Yet. Be the first to answer now!
A.D.D. kid
I watch these 2 kids ages 3 and 4 1/2 yrs. The 4 1/2 yr old is ADD for those of you who know what it is then you know that its a hard job. I've been babysitting for them for the last week and I'm getting sick of them . They hit and kick and bite me practically every time. I'm not aloud to put the ADD kid in his room so when him and his bro fight the younger one goes in his. But the ADD one drives me crazy any suggestion on what I should do and I would like someone just to chat with about babysitting thanks.
-Pauline
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Kids wont get along!
I watch a 2 year old girl and 4 and 7 year old boy I can never get them all to play together and when I do they push and shove each other around and start fighting (mainly the boys) and wanna play a game alone with just me what do I do?
-Kelsi
- Re: Kids wont get along!
I had that same problem when i first started babysitting I found out if you find something they both love doing they calm down and seem to forget about the argument but remember if they start to get mad again stop and do something else
- Dani
Sleepless baby
I baby-sit my 5 month old nephew and when it comes to Naptime and sometimes bedtime I have trouble putting him down as soon as I lay him in the crib he starts crying and doesn't stop. What do I do to get him to sleep
-Anonymous
- No Answers Yet. Be the first to answer now!
Dog Problems
I was babysitting this 5 month year old baby girl and she had a puppy named angle, but this puppy was anything but. The dog would not let me pick up the baby and every time I tried to pick up the baby the dog would bite me, the dog just wants me to play with her, but i have to worry about the baby. PLZ I NEED HELP! THX! =)
- Kristie
- Re: They Just won't listen to me
What i would do if I where you, I would ask the parents if they have a baby safety gate to put the dog behind so he won't attack you while holding the baby.
- Brianna
No Jobs?
I need suggestions on how to get jobs. I'm 14, get great grades, and am super responsible. I've taken 2 babysitting courses and might renew them. I volunteer at my church nursery but that's all I do to try and get word out. My parents don't have friends with young kids and my neighborhood is too small to get business so I can't get word out there. I'm having such a hard time finding clients but I really LOVE babysitting. Oh, I care about my safety so I'd rather not post up flyers around town. Any suggestions of how I can persuade the church parents to hire me OR any suggestions of another place I can volunteer at? Thanks for your help!
- Michelle
- No Answers Yet. Be the first to answer now!
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