Babysitting Quesiton????

Question

This lady asked me to babysit her kids, but I wasnt able to that night, so she invited me to go hang out at the pool with the kids. She has triplets, and another little girl. I am excited, but I am feeling pressure because I feel like she will be seeing how I do with the kids. (She has slipped that there are other babysitters they have used, but I don't think she wanted to tell me on purpose.)

1.Will she be scouting me out?

2. What games in the water should I play with the kids?

3. Should I play in the water with the kids, or talk with the mom, or both? If both, which one should I do longer?

4. Will I get payed?

5. How should I show I can handle the kids without sucking up and going over the top?

Help! Any books, websites, stories, or info would be great!

Answer 1

You will probably not get paid.  Just play with the kids and have a good time.  You are over thinking it.

Answer 2

Safety, safety, safety.  The kids come first always so stay close to them at all times and never let any one of them out of your sight, as to prices, this definatly sounds like scouting so I wouldn't expect a payment for tis outing

Answer 3

i would say that ya she is probably seeing if your good at baby sitting but idk she might just wanna talk to you. Well i think you should play in the water with the kids but talk to the mom too. Some water games could be like marco polo. unless there little then maybe simon says with one of them being the leader. most likely u will be payed but dont make that your top prioity cuz she might think tht=ats rude. just be yourself and be fun. Have fun with the kids. good luck!=]

Answer 4

first off...just be yourself.  don't try to act a certain way or perform at all.  parents...and kids too....can "smell" a fake. just truly enjoy the time you spend with them.  be fun, yet mindful and trustworthy.  Always error on the side of caution....watch all 4 like a hawk.  do you know cpr???  nothing helps ease a parents mind while at the pool with their children like knowing their caregiver is cpr trained.  take cues from mom...hang with her for a bit, then ask if she minds if you go play with the kids.  discuss payment up front so there are no questions.  she will appreciate your professionalism. know up front what you are asking for...but be negotiable.  don't worry so much about being overprepared...but have a few backup plans just in case.  eye spy is always good.  this or that is fun too.  (would you rather do this or do that?)  

be helpful and courteous and remain professional at ALL times....in other words...no cell phones, don't talk to boys, etc.  

have fun most of all!

good luck!

one more thought on payment.  you should most definitely expect to be paid...you are providing a service and that time is time away from your personal life.  that time should be compensated....do not expect less.  but like a previous poster mentioned...do not make it priority one.

Answer 5

I'm a babysitter so i will answer the questions to the way I see things:

1.Will she be scouting me out?

She will see how you handle the kids and how you'll get a long, more than likely she wants to see how you act with them, not see how good you can put them in front of the tv.

2. What games in the water should I play with the kids?

Marco Polo, Beach ball, diving sticks, have a race

3. Should I play in the water with the kids, or talk with the mom, or both? If both, which one should I do longer?

Play with the kids, but ask the mom specific questions, like bedtime, mealtimes, snack time, their favorite things to do, etc.

4. Will I get payed?

You Should!, but talk it over with the mom to come to an agreement.

5. How should I show I can handle the kids without sucking up and going over the top?

Just be normal and pretend the mom wasnt there so she can see how you will act with the kids when shes not home.

Answer 6

1. She might be watching you to see how well you are with her children.

2. Play simple games that don't have many rules. Bring a beach ball to play with, you can get one at a dollar store.

3. You should talk with the mom when you get there (about babysitting maybe) and then play with the kids in the water. Get out for a little bit to talk with the mom while you dry off. But stay with the kids mostly and have fun. Make sure the kids have fun, that is most important. Keep them safe too.

4. No, you probably will not get paid because you were invited to play with the kids, not babysit.

5. You need to be confident the whole time you are with the kids. Be yourself and suggest some things to do in the pool. Don't act like it is a job, because it isn't. You need to have fun, not pretend to.