Babysitting for the first time tonight!?

Question

okay so the kids are 9,5,4. im not nervous but i just dont know how to put them to sleep. they have to be in bed by 930 at the latest. what do i do? what time should they get ready to go to bed? do i "tuck them in"? or just send them up? please help... i wanna do it right and make a good impression!

Answer 1

Alright...so they have to be in bed by 9:30?

Well, i would start by arriving at the house a little bit early if you can. Get some important phone numbers of able to reach them and learn the house and know where emergency kits are and stuff. Also gives you some time to get used to the children and gives time for the children to get used to you.

When you go there, ask if there is any certain routine. Do they get ready at a certain time, do you sing them to sleep, do you tuck them in, do they have a warm glass of milk next to them, and such! That will help you know what to do when you have to put them to sleep.

If they dont have a certain time to get ready, i would start to get them in their pajamas and stuff at about 8:30...at least what i would do. i get the children ready early so it gives them some time to just settle down easier if that makes sense.

If you let them watch tv, it might be hard to get them off the tv in my opinion. they'll want to watch more maybe or the "a couple more minutes" thing. they can do that sometimes, even to a babysitter and not just parents. so i wouldnt let them watch tv RIGHT BEFORE they go to bed. maybe before they go to bed, you can read them a bed time story or something instead. that might help them calm down easier.

they also may wonder where their parents are while your babysitting them. So if they ask, just say they are busy right now and they are coming home very soon. but try occupying them with toys and stuff in the meantime. some kids may be attached to the parents while others are not. it all depends on the child.

if a child is crying, keep talking to the child. make sure they are alright, if they are hurt or anything...just remember though a child cant cry forever. if you cant figure it out...call the parents.

dont worry...you will do fine. if you ANY PROBLEMS though, even with the simplest thing to make a little kid to stop crying or something...CALL THE PARENTS!!! the parents will be happy to know that you are taking responsibility and is brave enough to know to call when you need help. But try to figure it out yourself for a bit...but if it seems like you just cant get anything to work like if they are being naughty or crying for a long time or anything like that...call the parents.

Answer 2

What I would do is ask what is their retinue when you get them ready for bed.  That is the best option and that will help so that the parents will feel that you are wanting to do what is best for the kids

Answer 3

You should ask the parents what their normal bedtime routine is. Most kids like to be tucked in, read to, sang to, hugged and kissed goodnight etc. Get them ready for bed early and get them in bed about a half hour beofre bedtime. Most kids will test you and get up and down several times so if you want them to sleep on time start early or they could end up staying up late and getting overtired. Overtired kids get whiney and are not fun. Again their parents probably have a routine so just ask what it is. Dont be afraid ask as many questions as you need to and just let the parenst know that the reason your asking is because you want to make the night easier on the kids so they can have a good time and stick to their normal routine. All kids are different so what works for one might not for another but most kids give you clues about it and if you pick up on them you will be fine. Also just stay clam and dont get yourslef overwhelmed. Kids can sense when your upset and will react to it, they also might push your buttons to see if you will really folloe through with what you said your going to do. Make sure you follow through or they will figure out how to manipulate you. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Generally, your employer (parents of the kids) should give you approximate time-table of the kids. Plus, some tips for you "how they usually send them to bed". Just be yourself, and if you have questions or doubts ask them, this is your first day.

About TV ask them as well, if they say yes, ask "how long?", ask anything that seems to you important. This how you gonna learn!

From personal experience!

Good luck!

Answer 5

it really depends on what the kids are used to. Ask the parents so that they can give you pointeres as to what they are used to.

Answer 6

i think its a good idea to put them to sleep ven better to let them watch some t.v till they get tired and i think nits better to send them upstairs to change by 8-8:30 or something and 1s u do put them 2 bed tuck them in and if they want sing them a song or read em a story

Answer 7

Ask the parents about the bedtime routine. Go with what they say. If the parents say 15 minutes of TV then up to bed. That's what you do. If they say baths, brush teeth, story, then bed. That's what you do. Stick with their routine.