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Play is the highest form of Research - Albert Einstein
Image: Shadow of young children swinging on swings.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are questions I have been asked by parents. I figured I would list them here to answer some questions you may have and help put your mind at ease.
Think about how many people you can trust your child with. Just to know your child is safe without having to guilt-trip a family member to watch them. You want to feel certain that the person you are leaving your children with will keep
them safe.
How far in advance do we have to book you to babysit?
I ask for a two-week notice if possible.
What age ranges do you babysit for?
I babysit children whose ages range from 3 months old - 14 years old.
Can you babysit on short notice?
I ask that you provide a few days' notice if care is needed on short notice (asking on a Monday for care needed Thursday or Friday). I am not able to provide care on the same day I am asked due to my schedule.
Are you comfortable cooking dinner?
Yes. I am more than happy to cook food for your children. If you have something already in mind to make, that is totally fine. I just ask that you leave the recipe and instructions on the counter.
If the children ask if they can help, I let them, but only to an extent due to safety reasons. Depending on the child's age, 5 and up, I allow them to help pour ingredients from the measuring cup into the pan that's on the stove. I encourage children to read the ingredients needed to create the meal. I assist children who have difficulty reading.
Can we call while we are out to check in?
Yes. I encourage parents to call or text me to check in. The children like it as well.
Are you comfortable with pets?
Yes. I love animals! I own two cats.
Do you still babysit if my child is sick?
This depends on how sick your child is. If they have a cold, yes. If they have a virus and are contagious, it is probably best their parents care for them.
Do we bring our children to your house, or do you come to our house?
Due to liability, I come to your house to provide care. Being in their own home, the children will be relaxed, allowing them to have more fun.
Who do you provide services to?
I provide services to any parent or family seeking care regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
I'm here to provide the best possible care to families no matter what their definition of family is. Every family is unique, it is one of the reasons I love doing what I do.
How far do you travel to babysit?
I will drive up to an hour and a half to babysit.
How many children can you babysit at once?
I can babysit 3-4 children at a time.
My child has food allergies. Are you ok with this?
Yes. I have extensive experience working with children with food allergies. During meet and greets, I ask if your child(ren) have any allergies. If they do, I will take the necessary precautions to ensure your child(ren) are safe.
My child has anxiety. Are you comfortable caring for them?
Yes. I have a lot of experience working with children with anxiety. I can provide your child with useful tools to help or remind them of tools they already have.
How late can you babysit?
If I have open availability the next day, I can stay as late as I am needed. If I do not have open availability the next day, I will typically ask time frame I am needed for babysitting for planning purposes.
Can you babysit overnight?
I am unable to provide overnight care.
Can you potty train children?
Yes. I have a lot of experience with potty training children.
Are you comfortable giving children baths?
Yes. I have given baths to children I have previously babysat.
How do you discipline?
When it comes to discipline, I explain to children what they did that wasn't appropriate. If a child hits their sibling, I have them look at their sibling to see the emotion on their face and ask the hit sibling how they feel. If their sibling responds that their upset, I have them explain why. I then inform the child that hit that their actions caused their sibling to be upset. I then ask the sibling that hit why they hit (this helps children feel heard and seen). I then provide or help children think of alternative ways to express anger in place of hitting. If a child is really upset and screams I let them scream and get their frustration out (If they continue to hit I stop them and tell them I will not let them hit). For discipline, I use positive guidance strategies I learned in school. I find them to be very effective. I do not yell or put my hands on children. When needed, I speak in a firm and stern voice to make it known I mean business. I do not put children in time out.
During babysitting
What do you do when we leave?
I sit the children down in the same room as me and tell them my rules. I let the children know that I tell their parent (s) what happens during babysitting. I inform them that if they swear, hit each other or me, or break anything, their parent/parents will know.
What are your rules?
My rules are Safety First, Please Listen, Respect, Communicate, and have fun.
Safety First
If the children are playing in an unsafe manner, I let them know and ask them to change their play. If they are not sure what to play, I offer them suggestions. If the children are using a toy in an unsafe manner and continue to do so after being asked to stop, I take the toy away.
Please listen
I tell children to listen when I talk because what I have to say is most likely important information. I also tell children that this rule doesn't just apply to me, but applies to their siblings as well. It's frustrating when you're talking to someone or trying to get their attention, and they ignore you; it can lead to conflict. So to avoid conflict, it's best for everyone to listen when their attention is needed
Respect
This rule applies to me as well as siblings. I tell children that it's important to respect me as well as their siblings, if they have any. I tell children that I will be respectful to them and expect the same from them. I let children know what the word respect means if they do not know. If a child is disrespectful, I let them know and explain why what they are doing is disrespectful, and provide alternative ways (if there are any, depending on the context) to not be disrespectful.
Communicate
I tell children to let me or their siblings know if they need anything. I let them know that I can not read their thoughts or know what they are thinking, and neither can their siblings. If a child is having a hard time communicating their thoughts, I provide assistance and tell them the words to use and have them repeat the words back to me to help them remember the words.
Have fun
Children, by default, know how to have fun. If they are not having fun or run out of ideas and become bored, I usually have some ideas that interest them.
What kind of things do you do with children when you babysit?
I ask the children what they like to do. I prefer playing board games, there are so many for a variety of ages. Depending on the age, I typically enjoy coloring or playing hide and seek. I usually go along with the child's interest, if it is appropriate and safe. If their suggestions for play are not appropriate, I offer suggestions such as a new game they own that they haven't played before, or playing card games. These suggestions usually help inspire other ideas. If I am to cook dinner,r and allow the children to watch a child-appropriate show or movie on Netflix. I allow this so that I know where the children are and can keep an eye on them.
Do you use your phone while babysitting?
I use my phone to look things up if a child asks a question that I don't know the answer to. I also use my phone to take a picture if I see the children doing something really neat and I want to show you. I keep my phone on vibrate in case you message me to check in. I do not play on my phone while babysitting. I am there to watch and care for your children. They get my undivided attention. If the children and I are talking about pets, I ask them if they want to see my cats, and if they do, I show them pictures of my two cats on my phone. I only use my phone while babysitting if it is really necessary; otherwise, it is put away.
Are you ok with tablets/screen time?
I am ok with tablets if I am cooking food, I let the children hang out in the living room or at the kitchen table with their iPad or tablet. If I cooked dinner, I am ok with watching a show on TV that everyone compromised on, that is child-appropriate of course. I prefer children to engage in board games or some type of constructive play while they are in my care. If they are very energetic and have difficulty controlling their body, I am ok with them watching TV as a way to redirect them and help them regain self-control.
What do you do when the children are in bed?
For bedtime, depending on the age of the child, I ask them if they would like me to rub their back to help them to sleep. If the child answers yes, I rub their back until their either almost asleep or fully asleep. If the child can fall asleep on their own, I leave them be and leave their room, but keep their bedroom door open a little bit if that is what they prefer. I stay within the vicinity of their bedroom to ensure they have fallen asleep and are ok. I check up on them every hour or hour and a half by peeking into their bedroom. Once the children are asleep, I research things online, browse social media, or tidy up the house as much as I can.
When you come home
What happens when you come home?
When you arrive home from what I hope was an enjoyable night out, I let you know how things went while babysitting. I let you know if your child had difficulty listening, getting into stuff they probably were not supposed to get into, and if they were fantastic. If I took any pictures, I either show them to you if time allows, or I text or send them through Facebook Messenger.
If you have a question I did not answer, please do not hesitate to ask.
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