Babysitting, Grr...?

Question

So i've got a job babysitting thease 3 kids, 2 are under 2 so that'll be a doddle but the eldest it 10 and 'stays up until her mum and dad get back' and i seriously cannot be sitting up with an annoying 'cutesie wannabe' 10 year old, any way on how i can somewhat force her to go to bed???

Answer 1

Well then!!  If you don't like 10 year old "cutsie wannabe's" then you should not be babysitting. It is a JOB not all fun and games and "doddle".  I sure would not hire you with that attitude.

Answer 2

Hey my daughters 11 and not all of a wannabe,actually she is babysitting and doing and better job than you will ever do!

Answer 3

It depends on if the parents want her to say up or go to bed. Discuss this with them. If they want her in bed, then they should back you up. You can have a chart that you mark with a check for each time she is told and the time she actually goes to bed. They can deal with any punishment from what you record.

If they don't care if she is up, ask for alternatives for her to do while waiting for them to return....read, draw, tv (bad bad but america's #1 babysitter). If she wants to hang out with you, find some games you can play or teach about something you like to do. If you just don't like her, I agree with the others, get a different job :)

Answer 4

I would ask the parents if they mind the 10 yr old being up when they come home or if they prefer having her in bed. I personally would prefer he to be in bed so that I can relax when I get home especially if I've been out late. If you explain that she is not going to bed and if they would help by reminding her of bedtime when they leave so that they can relax when they get home. If they don't mind her waiting up please readjust your view on this child. Please keep in mind this 10 year old is stuck with 2 little bratty kids all day every day. Probably catches a lot of flack from them. How nice it must be to have an older kid there to talk to and try to be a "big kid" every once in a while. Sometimes they just thrive on the individual attention they receive. I would try to put the little one's down early if you can and take an hour with the 10 year old and be a cutesie wannabe yourself. Paint her nails and let her talk about Zack & Cody or High School Musical all she wants. Then she can go to bed. Remember, you are being paid to watch their kids and this is just part of the job. I'm not sure why this kid annoys you but trust me I would rather someone watch my kids that enjoys them not just for the money.

Answer 5

it's a job, not all fun and games. keep him or her busy watching a movie or playing a game and you can watch to, play monoply with him/her, or just do something on the computer while keeping an eye on the 10 year old. They actually are fun! They can handle playing games or watching more "grown up" movies and stuff. So if you can't handle the parents wishes and the kids wants, maybe you shouldn't be babysitting at all.

Answer 6

talk to her parents about what her bedtime is supposed to be unless they don't have a problem. plus what else would you be doing??? you were hired to watch after the kids till the parents got home... so just do it. if it isnt what you want to do then give them notice that you do not want to work for them anymore so they can get another sitter.

Answer 7

If you are unhappy with the job, don't take it. It is not fair of you to expect to be able to go in and change the family's rules and expectations simply because you don't feel like actually taking care of the children in the way they want you to.

This is precisely why I don't use babysitters. Please just tell them you can't take the job. It's not fair to the kids.

Answer 8

HAHAH I think that you are in the wrong profession.  

How old are you?

Sweetie I think you shouldn't be babysitting.

Just tell the mom that you're sorry but you can't watch them & go out and find a 9-5 job where you'll find grown folks who are cutesie wannabe's!!

Answer 9

look sometimes i know exactly how you feel. check with the parents, if nothing changes.. then either change your attitude or your profession. i can understand why she wants to stay up and i can also understand why you'd like some peace and quiet.

Answer 10

If her parents don't have a problem with her staying up, then you can't do anything about that.  If they DO want her to go to bed, then obviously you let her know you will be calling her parents if she doesn't go to bed.  Either way, you don't have to entertain her.  Let her know if she wants to stay up fine, but she has a few choices on what she can do:  read a book, watch a movie, or write/color.  Any of those things she must do quietly, or she will have to go to bed immediately.