Babysitting Jobs

Babysitting is one of the main ways that teens begin to start earning their own money. Here are some tips and tricks of the trade that can help you as you start your own babysitting business.

Characteristics of a Good Babysitter

Parents look for certain qualities in a good babysitter. Some of these qualities include:

1) Having good health: Your overall health is important. If you have a cold or other contagious disease, do not accept a babysitting job.

2) Being dependable & responsible: Dependability is a must. You are responsible for the child's health and safety.

3) Loving little children: The best babysitters usually understand and love children. Children tend to know whether you like them or not.

4) Being self-confident: Children judge you as much by the way you look and act as by the words you say. Be sure of yourself.

5) Being mature: You need to be levelheaded and act calmly in an emergency. You have to maintain authority and discipline.

6) Showing good manners: Be pleasant, and act in a courteous manner. This includes respect for the privacy of families by not going through closets and personal possessions.

7) Being knowledgeable about children: You need a basic understanding of the stages of child development. You must also know the basic techniques of feeding, dressing, diapering, bathing and playing with younger and older children.

8) Having a business-like attitude: Make sure you agree on the business aspects of the job before babysitting with a new family for the first time. Get the necessary information from the parents before they leave.

9) Being adaptable: Accept the differences between households. It's your responsibility to fit in with the family's usual pattern or routines - not the other way around. If you feel uncomfortable with the family's lifestyle, you may need to refuse to accept the opportunity to work for them.

10) Being safety conscious: Protect the children from harm. Be alert at all times.

11) You will be in demand: Great babysitters are known by many parents. Usually they are busy with repeated jobs for the same families.