r/Babysitting

I babysit a super adorable little girl really frequently and like all kids her age, she has a lot of energy. She loves it when we go outside and play on her bike and is constantly moving, but I can’t always match her energy. I have school and I’m prepping for college this upcoming year, and it can be really draining some days. She hates it when I say that I can’t play for a little bit and gets really upset. The only way she will do something on her own is when she watches tv, but I dont wanna use that whenever I’m tired. So, how do I encourage her to play on her own more?

Edit: Im not asking her to play alone for hours on end. Im talking 20 minutes tops. If we do watch a show, I try to limit it to an episode or two. Sorry I should’ve said this earlier. I love my job and I love this little girl.

hello! i will be watching the 3 month old for 3 days while the parents have fun at a theme park. i am staying with them in their resort villa. i will be watching the baby while the parents ride rides at the theme park, helping the baby get ready in the morning, and watching the baby while the parents go to dinner. i am not sure what to ask for? it is for 3 days. the parents are also paying for my ticket since i do not have the theme park pass.

I started babysitting for a family who has a 4 year old. It’s her first time having a sitter since she was a baby. I’ve babysat for her twice and both times she remembers her parents are gone and begins to cry before bed, which is expected bc I can tell she’s tired. I have to carry her upstairs and put her to bed. Her parents say that’s normal of her and to just let her cry it out when she’s in bed and will fall asleep. I felt uncomfortable doing that at first because I’m used to comforting the kids until they sleep or making sure they’re not crying before bed time especially the fact I had to carry her upstairs while she’s crying and just put her in bed and let her cry. Anyways I feel like she will start throwing tantrums sooner or later everytime I come over because she knows her parents are leaving which makes playtime with her harder due to her randomly remembering her parents are gone and throwing a tantrum where she doesn’t want to do anything. The mom said I could come over one day when they’re there just to play with her so she doesn’t associate me with her parents leaving. Here’s the other issue, whenever the parents are there she will play with me but then go back and look for her mom which just makes me look like a bad sitter because I can’t keep her attention. From previous experiences I know that it doesn’t really workout to have parents in the house when babysitting just because the child will always go to the parent. Anyways long rant, just looking for any advice on if I’m doing anything wrong or how I should go about the situation.

Hello, I've done the occasional babysitting a neighbors kids until the oldest got off the bus, making lunch, but usually kids. This is the first toddler. She's 2-4 years old, my mom has only seen her like 3 times becuase of her coworker has brought her to work and so you know, she offered me up like cattle lmao.

I start college in 2 months so I don't mind helping out until then or even after when I see my schedule. Is there anything I should know about babysitting a younger kid? And what should I charge since she asked. I initially thought I would just beimg doing it free but my mom said it'd be good to be paid so I can pay for my books.

I was thinking 125 a week, so 25 a day. Is that too much? Idk. Like I'll be watching her for 12 hours a day, 5x a week, and idk. I think that's good enough? Idk

I don’t need a full time nanny as I’m a SAHM but my husband is out of town a lot or on calls into the evening so it would be nice to have an extra pair of hands in the afternoons a few times a week. My kids are almost 6 (twins) and 3.

The only thing is, our schedule isn’t consistent every week so I’m worried about hiring a babysitter for let’s say M, T, TH and then some weeks we actually don’t need help on one of those days. I could definitely still use her in some way but worried it may feel awkward for her to be around with both my husband and I also being there.

So anyway, I’m just trying to figure out what to do and wondering if anyone has found a set up that works for them.

I am thinking of starting to babysit children part time as a 45yo who has not babysat since I was a teen. I’m thinking weekends and date nights until I receive full time work at my employment. How do I find this work? Do you have any suggestions?

A family I work with has asked me to do some full days during the summer. They would be 12 hour days, and they're wanting to do a set rate for each day instead of hourly.

My current rate with them is $20 an hour, and I've been working 2-6 hours a week up to this point. With the days during the summer, it would be 12 one week, 36 the next, and the last two weeks would be 24 each. I have a regular full-time job (36+ hrs per week), and I babysit an infant one day a week. I would be missing out on my typical income for a few of the days and changing my normal off days, so I'm wondering what rate I should suggest.

I've never had to come up with a daily rate before, so this is new to me. Any suggestions or advice?

EDIT: More info for clarification, it's only 8 days in total between June and July. Mom is a single parent who works in the medical field. The kid is 6. I sent her an amount that would be more than what I get per day from my regular job if I worked 12 hours, but less than my normal rate with her.

Also, some people seem to be confused about my other job. I wouldn't be skipping work, I would be shifting my off days from what they normally are, with 2 of the days actually falling on my regular off days.

I do appreciate the advice and suggestions. I'm only agreeing to it because I'm in desperate need of money, especially since I won't be doing school drop-off for them due to it being summer break, and I actually like them both.

...as a swim team coach?

Long story short, but I was asked if I'd be willing to babysit two kids, for a family I've gotten to know as (on of) the oldest boy's swim team coach.

I don't have actual babysitting experience previously, but I've been a lifeguard supervisor/assistant aquatics director for years for a reasonably sized pool, so obviously have all my various certifications current etc.

Their mom asked if I'd be willing to consider 2X a week babysitting for the kids over the summer, because the kids are both super familiar with me etc. But, is this something I should delve into, in everyone's opinion?

Would you guys quit this sitting job? For background info I’ve been sitting for this family for about 8 months, and I watch 3 kids. Decent money for my area, most families only pay max 12/hr, and I’m getting payed quite a bit more.

When I first started I worked verrryyy part time. Only took over a couple days a month when their other sitter was over, and it was usually only max 6 a time hours. Well now I took over their old sitters hours, and have been for about 5 months. I babysit for them 4 days a week, once in a while 5 days if they have another special event.

Their kids are so badly behaved. I’ve come over before to them yelling at their parents and calling them pigs etc. The kids constantly throw stuff and it’s a chore for me to get them to stop, since their parents basically let them do anything.

They discipline their kids by threatening to take their electronics, and then not following through ever. Or they’ll just yell at them and still not solve anything. One time the little girl was giving a little attitude to her mom, and there was really no buildup to this, but the mom just hit her across the face. Solved nothing. The kids will continue even after to yell and name call them. The kids don’t really name call me, just fun jokes that I add to. But the parents never disciplining or following through adds way more to my work than it should. When the kids start throwing things around the house, or are being mean to each other it’s almost impossible to get them to stop at some point.

On top of all that their house is extremely dirty. Kitchen is almost always full of dishes, dirty dishes all over the counters and kitchen table, jam, crumbs and just food in general. Their pantry has wrappers, pots, food containers, boxes, snacks, etc allll over the floor. It’s a chore just to walk in there and find dinner to make for the kids. It’s basically a maze. Their bathroom is always dirty, toilet is yellow, sink is full of gunk, they still have the same old gross bar of soap that is honestly not soap at this point…. It’s been the same one for 8 months lol. Anytime I use their bathroom I feel disgusting because I know it’s germ filled.

The whole house in general is dirty and garbage filled. I’m not gonna mention all of it as the other rooms that I don’t use are not my problem and don’t really affect my work.

The parents never give me an actual schedule. I’ll show up on a Monday and know before I leave their house what time I’m gonna work the next day. They never tell me ahead of time when they’ll be back home. So it’s either 2 hours, or up to 6. They’ll text me and let me know 10 mins before they’re home. Im also in the process of getting my license, so right now my parents are my ride. My dad said he genuinely doesn’t mind, and I know he doesn’t. But my mom is a little different, she isn’t mad about it but I know she’d prefer to know ahead of time.

It’s also not even just my parents, I can’t really ever plan anything ahead of time on the days I work. I generally work either 4 or 5 til whenever. And sometimes I could’ve hung out with a friend or gone out for dinner with family after work. But couldn’t because I only got told they’d be home 10 mins before.

I know I kind of set this system up because I’m letting them take advantage of me. But I felt like I shouldn’t have had to tell them this? Is having a schedule and a clean work environment not basic things most parents know should be expected? This is also my first job so I’m kind of figuring things out as I go. I just feel a bit trapped right now with everything going on in the world now.

One of our babysitters is a talker. We enjoy her company.

I always round up to the next hour for payment anyway, so, say we get home at 6:20, I'll pay til 7pm.

But sometimes we get home at 6:45 and she'll stay and chit chat til like 7:30.

When we get back, I make it clear that she can leave at any time.

I need to stop being awkward and just say, "hey we're gonna pay til rounded up hour after we get back jfyi." Any other tips? Or thoughts on doing something different?

Have a sitter coming over, first time with our 10 month old. Hired through an app, and it suggests all correspondence be done through the app, too.

Not quite sure how this works, tbh!

She’s here until we get home, but assuming around 9pm. Getting here at 4:45.

I feel like I should cover her dinner?
Do I offer to DoorDash for her, and she tells me what she wants? Does she DoorDash herself and we give her money separately, regardless of apps request of all money covered through it?

Any help would be appreciated (although I’m sure I’m just overthinking it!)

Hi I’m 19 and I recently got offered this nanny job for my boyfriend’s little nephew. I love kids and this is a dream job for where I’m at right now and I absolutely adore this kid. I have an okay amount of knowledge about autism but mainly through friends and older family members and I’m not sure how to best support this kid. He is 6 and mostly nonverbal. I know the basics like not being loud and reading body language but I’m definitely under prepared and trying to do research. I’m a fairly calm and gentle person especially with kids. I speak in a soft but not “baby voice tone” to children and I’m patient. I think that’s one of the reasons I was asked for this job. I’d like to know what some fun and sensory safe activities that aren’t on screens I can do with him. I’ve got some ideas like crafting and drawing but I’d like ones that can be educational or fun sensory-wise. I’d like to know how I can support him in times of stress instead of make it worse or do nothing helpful. Ive babysat him before and he’s very attached to his iPad which can lead to frustration when I try to take it away to have some no screen time. I’d like to plan engaging activities to keep him present. I’ve never babysat for more than a few hours and never for many days and I just want to be prepared the best I can. Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated

I started part-time nannying for a 4yo girl just over a month ago. The family is great, and I really love the position. I do about 4 hours Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Sometimes more Thursday if it works with both our schedules and we want to do some kind of outing.

My question is about independent play. Right now, my shifts are fairly short, so I am not too concerned if we spend most/all of the time doing things together. I bring a book so that if NK starts playing on her own, I am not just... watching her creepily. But mostly we do things like small world/imaginative play, trampoline, bike rides, crafts, reading, etc, together.

However, MB has said that when preschool finishes for the summer, they will need more hours. I don't want NK to get the idea that if I am there, I am her playmate 100% of the time, because it is important for her to play by herself sometimes, and also if I'm there for longer shifts, I will need to prep lunch and whatnot, and we would probably both benefit from some downtime.

So, how much do you encourage your NKs to play by themselves? Any tips and tricks if they are resistant to the idea?

And parents, how much do you want your kids to engage in independent play vs have the nanny actively involved?

I am in south jersey.
I babysat once for a one time mother helper gig at a restaurant 4 kids 25 per hour. Issue is I typically charge 25 per hour for ONE kid.
So I got my self in a pickle bc now they asked for their house.

Kids are 9, 6,4,2 1/2. I was going to say 28-30 do you think this is fair?

When it’s cold outside I wear sweatpants and loose t-shirt maybe sometimes a hoodie. When it’s nice outside, I wear a lose t-shirt and sweatshorts. I’m not sure if Im dressing professionally enough but it’s just me and the kiddo at home for 8 hrs a day. The Mom never says anything about it but what do you guys wear to work?

Hi! I’m looking for a little advice on how to make the best out of this weekend.

I’m babysitting a 12 year old boy, he doesn’t seem to have much interest in having me there. Understandable lol! He is at the age where he really doesn’t need someone here all day.

However, all he really wants to do is watch tv and play video games. He would do it all day if I let him. His parents don’t want him doing this, they wrote a whole list of activities to do out for him and everytime I suggest one it keeps him occupied for maybe 15-25 minutes until he just makes a bee line back to the tv.

He’s a really good kid, I just feel nervous because I really cannot pry him away from the screens. I am here until Monday morning, any advice would be appreciated because at this point I am lost on what to do. I’ve watched him several times and this happens every time. Thank you!

2 years ago I connected with a family visiting the area -they dropped their 2yo off at my place, and I watched them all week (they tipped me very graciously)

they have came back to my area about 2x a year since then and have another baby (a now 1.5yr)

they visited this week and only brought the youngest.

I got the Venmo if $1750 today!!

this is for 3.5 days, should have been $650 at most. more than $1000 extra 🥲😍❣️

they also send me gifts throughout the year and usually bring me chocolate on the last day. my moms birthday is Tuesday and they are getting her gifts as well.

THERE ARE AMAZING families out here. And this isn’t even my full time one 🙂‍↔️❣️ thank gosh I messaged after seeing their post two years ago!!

I’m (15NB) watching a 1st grade girl. Her family is Christian but not super religious. I’m not the closest with the family but I am her babysitter and I have been for a while now. she was reading a Junior b. Jones book and it mentioned different religions. It was kids talking about how they don’t celebrate Easter, and one kid was wearing a turban. She then asked me what religion ment and asked me more about it. How do I answer?

A family member of mine owns wedding venues and I want to propose the idea of become a wedding babysitting service. At the venue there is a back room where I could set things up. I’m thinking I would have cots, pillows, blanks, for anyone who wants to sleep. A table with coloring stuff. And other fun toys. Also a projector/tv for Disney movies. The only thing I am unsure about is how to go about charging. It would make the most sense to have this service as a package add on which the bride/groom would have to pay for. Which I’m not sure they will be interested in paying for on top of everything. It would run from start to end of reception, so usually like 4-11ish. I would honestly be willing to do it for like $500. I would also want to come up with a secure sign in/out system. Likely requiring a parent ID and their phone number so I can get ahold of them.

I had a 4 1/2 year-old and almost 3 year-old and for the summer. We are getting a babysitter to come to our house (she was with us last year as well, but will be here more this year) and she will be here from 10 to 3 Tuesday - Thursday.

I will be home most of the day because I work from home but pretty unavailable.

Is there anything that I can have readily available? That would be beneficial for her and or my kids?

My kids are pretty self-sufficient but I really like wanna make her time here enjoyable since she might come back next year.

Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions?