Babysitter bath kids?

Question

one of my newer clients asked me if i could give there kids a bath

when i come over on Wednesdays and then put them to bed. I am a little nervous to bath the kids because they are a little rambunctious (1 and 3) the parents said the 3 year old can wash herself but to be in the room. The 1 year old needs to be bathed. I have bathed kids before (my younger brother but my mom was there) i am nervous because i have seen on the news that poeple can turn around and say "you abused little suzie ect..) and sense they are new clients i don;t really know them that well.

so do you think i should just bath them?

what are your experiences as parents? like would you let you babysitter bath your kids? and how would you like the sitter to tell you that they don't feel comfortable doing that? of should i just suck it up and bath the kids (both kids are female)

i am a 14 year old female

and i took the red cross course and have baby sat all over my town but it was during the day.

Answer 1

Yes if thats what the clients want. Bath the kids it will prepare you for when you have to change a nappy!

Answer 2

I would seriously have words with the parents.  I understand it could be convenient to them to have you help them out if they are busy.  However you are a baby sitter, not a nanny and I think that you need to make them aware of this.  I think they would have a hard case if they did turn around and claim abuse as this is something they asked you to, it is not something you volunteered to do.  However I would be a it dubious about letting anyone else bathe my kids.  So I would suggest talking to them about how you feel and if they still insist maybe spend some 'learning time' when either parent of both parents are there so you can get some tips and the kids can get used to you being the bather (as oppose to their Mom or Dad!)

Answer 3

Ask them if the kids can bathe the morning before you come. Tell them you aren't comfortable bathing them and don't feel responsible enough.

Answer 4

Just say that you don't feel comfortable doing it but you will wipe their hands and faces and feet before bed. It is far too much too ask that of a 14 year old ...and sily of them....

Answer 5

i never had to do that when i babysat in the past. i think it is asking a little much. but if they insist, make sure to watch the kids VERY close and don't take ur eyes off them

Answer 6

You poor thing i think you should have a talk to there parents and say " just to be on the safe side can you give me some tips of how to bath your kids " I Hope that helps =)

Answer 7

Well, if you have never bathed someone eleses kids before. eaither tell the parents how you fell, or dont babysit.

i seriously suggest that you tell the parents you are nervous.

When i go to babysit, i never have to bathe the kids.

Answer 8

iv bathed kids before not as bad as when they made me wipe there bottom

Answer 9

With today's paranoia about child s*x abuse it is a very real possibility to be accused of s*x abuse of a child. Even the slightest incident and suspicion can lead to involvement of police and cps.

The parents doesn`t seem to be paranoid though, but things can change quickly. If I were you ( 14 year old )I would tell the parents that I don`t feel comfortable with this and prefer not to give them a bath. I would actually do it bc somebody has to oppose this hysteria, which has effected you too, but you are too young to start changing the world and take the risks.

Answer 10

I would tell them straight up that aren't comfortable with it and tell her why. Just be honest, surely they would understand. I was too paranoid to let anyone bath my son so I made sure he was bathed, fed and in bed by the time the baby sitter came over, then all she had to do was watch TV and raid my fridge! lol

Answer 11

You are absolutely right that today there are people everywhere that are just looking for something to sue someone about . You seem to be a very well schooled person in the babysitting field . If you were asked to bathe the kids by the parents, then you should have no problems with that . Give them your references and let them decide for sure if they want you . I do not forsee them coming back on you because and foremost they asked you to do it . Secondly they nor anyone else can sue you unless they can prove you did it . How can they do something unless they or someone else in the family can  back up their allegations .

If I were you  , then I would comply , then if they tried to do something , they would lose for sure and after that you could countersue for ruining your good rep. You would have a good case . Keep what you seem to be very good at and what you seem to like