Baby-Sitting: A Dictator or Care Giver?
some youths seem to feel that an assignment to baby-sit is an appointment to be a dictator. "My sister wouldn't let me do that!" complained one girl. "I tried to get her to stop bossing me around, and she slapped me!" One young boy says: "I've had my older brother and sister baby-sit me, and it's surprising how fast power can go to their heads!"
Barking orders like a drill sergeant may seem like fun. But if your parents find out your "reign" may come to an embarrassingly abrupt end. Modesty involves knowing your limitations. And the fact is that parents are divinely authorized to raise and discipline children. Your role is that of protector and care giver.
Skillful Child Care
This does not mean that children can be allowed to run free so that you can enjoy yourself watching TV or reading. "A boy [or girl] let on the loose will be causing his mother shame" and lot of headaches for the baby-sitter! Unfortunately, teenagers do not always handle misbehaving children skillfully.
One group of U.S. teenagers were tested in this regard and asked how they would handle situations that commonly arise during baby-sitting. According to the journal Adolescence, only 8 percent of the youths indicated that they would handle matters in a way that was sensitive to the feelings of the children. the remaining 92 percent tended to use ineffective tactics, such as commands, reprimands, and threats. The researchers concluded that adolescents "tend to be insensitive in their relations with younger siblings."
How can you deal with children effectively and skillfully? You should strive to understand the needs and feelings of the children you care for. Get to know them as individuals. You'll soon learn that small children simply do not have an adult's attention span, patience, or stamina. Rather, "children are delicate." They thrive on love and attention but may quickly become bored and restless.
Applying the "Golden Rule"
At times then, children get carried away in their play and may get on your nerves. They may endanger themselves with reckless behavior. Or they may try to test you to see how much they can get away with. When this occurs, do not lose your sense of humor. Apply the Golden Rule:"Always treat others as you would like them to treat you."
Remember, "foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy, or a girl, and wasn't too long ago that you behaved similarly." Focus on correcting the problem ("let's clean up that spill") instead of condemning the child. Calling a child "stupid" or "dumb" is abusive and potentially harmful to the child.
Problems can sometimes be prevented if you take a positive approach. Rewarding good behavior may work better for you than a barrage of threats of punishment. Also, children are less likely to be bored and restless if you plan wholesome activities that are fun, such as imaginative games. Perhaps you recall some of the ones you played as a child or you can invent some new ones.
At times, children do need discipline. But it is best to discuss with your parents what you should do in this regard. This is especially true when you are baby-sitting for hire. Most problems can wait until the parents return home. And you risk injuring a child (not to mention incurring parental wrath) if you take it upon yourself to use physical force.
Protecting Children From Harm When You Are Baby-Sitting
Barbara Benton warns in her book The Babysitter's Handbook: "The combination of his unsteadiness, his curiosity, and his total lack of judgment make the toddler a prime victim for all the terrible things that can happen to children. You need to be ever watchful and quick to keep him safe." Teenage Stephanie learned how true this is. "I was looking after my nephew," she recalls. "Suddenly he began choking on a Popsicle! I had to pull it out of his mouth, and I was real scared!"
Most serious accidents can be prevented if you keep your eye on the children. Barbara Benton suggests yet other steps: "Make an inspection tour to locate and eliminate any potential hazards." You should know the location of such things as the fuse box, fire extinguisher, and first-aid supplies. Learn how to operate home appliances properly and safely. You might even make up a safety checklist that covers such things as windows (closed?), stairs (free of dangerous objects?), electrical outlets (properly covered?), poisons and medicines (carefully stored out of reach of youngsters?), electrical cords (tucked away?), house keys (an extra set so you cannot lock yourself out?).
You can also prepare yourself as best you can to handle emergencies. "I took a baby-sitting class in school and learned first aid for babies and toddlers," says one teenage girl. Perhaps such courses are available in your school. It is also important to keep handy a list that gives the phone numbers of police, fire department, family doctor, hospital, and poison-control center. Know how to contact your parents and perhaps some neighbors who could help out in a pinch.
If an accident or an emergency occurs, DO NOT PANIC! "He that is wise keeps his spirit calm to the last." A child might swallow some poison, for example. Immediately call the hospital or the poison control center. If that is not possible, carefully read the instructions on the product's warning label. Calmly assessing the situation is better than doing something foolhardy (such as including vomiting) that could make the situation worse. And as distressing and perhaps embarrassing as it may be, make sure that you report any injuries or mishaps to the child's parents. They have a right to know what has occurred, and they can decide if further steps should be taken.
Baby-sitting may seem like a huge responsibility and it is. But it is merely a sampling of what your parents has done over the years in caring for you. So take your job seriously. As you gain confidence and experience, it may become rewarding and enjoyable for you.
Guidelines for Baby-Sitting
1.Be professional: Make sure your fee is clearly agreed upon.
2.Communicate: Establish beforehand what your duties will involve.
3.Be punctual and dependable.
4.Get to know the children beforehand.
5.Know the rules of the house.
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