Babysitting all summer!!!?

Question

Hey!! My name is Sara, I am 13, and i will be babysitting 2 six year old and 1 three year old all summer.

I will be babysitting them from 1-5 each day. My problem is we will have nothing to do. Can you help me fill out this schedule. I started it for you!!

1-1:30 Lunch (something easy maybe they can help?)

1:30-1:45 Clean up ( they will watch t.v.)

1:45-2:00 Play outside (maybe soccer or basketball?)

2:00-2:30 ???

2:30-2:45 Snack

2:45-3:00 Cleanup ( they will watch t.v.)

3:00-3:30 ???

3:30-4:00 ???

4:00-4:30 ???

4:30-5:00 Play outside

-Park is not walking distance

-Movie theater is not walking distance

-Library is not walking distance

-I can not drive

-Answers will be appreciated

Answer 1

You are squishing a lot of activity into very little time. If I was setting up a schedule(as a nanny I have done this many times before), it would look something like this.

1:00-2:00 Lunch prep/lunch - lunch is going to take you more than a few min to cook, sever and eat. Even mac and cheese takes 30min. While you are cooking and setting up for lunch, get the kids involved in something at the table, for example coloring, puzzles, etc.

2:00-2:15 clean up, let the kids help you out a bit. They can put their dishes in the sink and wipe down the table and wash their hands.  

2:15-3:00 - outside play. There is no reason to cram outdoor activity into only 15 min. Allow them to burn off energy, play in a kiddie pool, swing on swings, etc.

3:00-3:30 - quiet down time, pick out a few stories and read to the kids or have them read by themselves. Bring books from your local library. You can also give them the choice of doing puzzles, or drawing.

3:30-4:15 - Art activities - break out the paint, play-dough, etc and let the kids do something creative. One day allow them to paint, another have them play with play-dough, or make a craft.

4:15-4:30 - clean up. Have the kids wash their hands, while you clean up the art activity. While you are cleaning they can play something with each other.

4:30-5:00 - free play - structure is great, but children also need a time where they are in control of their activity. This is a good time for them to play in their bedrooms with toys(you included), or in a playroom, etc.

And always remember, even the best thought out daily routine will need to be tweaked a bit when you begin to run through it. You may find that lunch takes less time than you thought, or art really isn't thier cup of tea, so stay open to change.

Answer 2

okiedokie lets start:)

lunch:pb&j roll ups with apple juice and animal crackers

outside:hide and go seek tag!

2:00-2:30: read, they'll be tired from playing outside

3 o clock to three thirty: do a puppet show

3 thirty to 4: puzzles or board games

4 to 4 thirty:snack

Answer 3

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 4

Ok....take it from someone who has watched three kids from 7am to 6pm everyday during the summer for years...I totally admire your schedule tactics. It shows that you are responcible and keeping the kids on a routine will definitally help break up the day and also assert that you're in charge of what's happening.

Now lets be more realistic....

Lunch time: sandwiches, mac and cheese, hotdogs, chicken nuggets etc. there are lots of quick easy things that you can make but more than likely the entire making lunch / eating it period will probably take about an hour. Kids eat very slowly sometimes.

Clean Up times: you have two six year olds. set up a chore schedule for them. for instance,  one child helps clean up monday, the other one on tuesday, and so on. don't just let them sit in front of the tv while you clean. I know it may be easier for you to just do it yourself sometimes but if you always clean it will let them think that they can leave any mess anywhere and you will follow them around with a swiffer. don't get into that dangerous little rut.

So, let's just say that we're at 2:00 now. Time to play outside. Play simple and easy games that won't frustrate them. Give the six year olds jump ropes and basketballs or all play tag or hide and go seek together....those games are age appropriate all around. Try to keep them running around outside for an hour if they don't get to tired or fidgety. Write on the drive way with chalk if they need a rest....thats always a winner.

So, if you all made it for an hour, it's around 3 now. This is mine, and will be yours, favorite time of the day: quiet time. Sounds rediculous, but is wonderful. This is where we pop in a movie and let them chill out. Give them a snack for the movie and let them, possibly, take a nap. Alot of even six year olds will doze off now and then. Also, it's good for them because they won't be exhausted and cranky during dinner time with their parents. This will take you probably to 4:30 or 5 and if the movie or TV show ends early, take them outside for some calmer play time and let their parents arrive home.

Also, for rainy days, make sure you have crafts!!! They are the best for days you cant go outside. Also, you can go online and find fun and easy candy recipes or make rice crispy treats, brownies, or cookies.

Good luck with everything, and I hope this helps! I've totally been there!

Answer 5

Board games, crafts (check out books at the library or Barnes and Noble to purchase and bring home), scavenger hunts, hide and seek, teach them to draw animals etc,

Outside make goofy courses, like you have to run around the three three times, jump over the sidewalk, draw a heart with chalk, and get to the front door first to win.

BUILD FORTS, children LOVE to build forts.

Make puppets from paper plates or socks.

Outside, enjoy the sprinkler system, running around in the sun will wear them out and make their parents happy they sleep well in the evening!

As for snacks, apples with peanut butter, crackers with funny faces made from cheese etc, fruit.

I hope some of these help, have fun!