What's some great qualities a babysitter should have?

Question

Like what stuff would you like him/her to do with your kids or for your house?

Answer 1

I would look for a babysitter who has a passion for children and someone who is patient and who cares about child development and nutrition. I would look for someone reliable and confident in caring for my child/ren. I would like to hire someone who has a certificate in first aid and CPR. And I would prefer to hire someone who has at least 1 good reference up their sleeve.

Answer 2

i am a babysitter! parents look for babysitters that are naturally good w/ kids, that know age appropriate activities, and that are qualified (cpr, redcross babysitting training) babysitters have to be responsible, prompt, and loving! they are expected to keep the kids entertained, clean up after them, and sometimes cook for them. good luck!

Answer 3

Babysitters really aren't supposed to do anything to the house. Encouraging the kids to clean their rooms and cleaning whatever dishes are used during the time at the home would signal a seasoned and stellar babysitter.

While it would be unexpected for a babysitter to double as a housekeeper, the general rule would be to at least leave the place slightly better than you found it.

With the kids?

Hide and go seek, freeze tag, babysitters bag-o-books and preferably not on the cellphone in the sight of the parents- ever.

If the kids are of age for homework, clearly that's be a plus. Also getting a clear outline of how the parents would like you to discipline the children and staying within those boundaries.

Answer 4

I use a babysitter that i've know for 11yrs.  I know she's trust worthy and responsible.  My kids love her, and that's a major must!!  If the kids don't like the sitter then it will be bad for everyone.  You want them to have some kind of knowlage of first aide and CPR.  Make sure they know the rules, and the things your kids like.  You also want one that has worked around kids before or you'll want to do a couple of practice runs first.  I don't expect a babysitter to do any house work unless the kids make a huge mess.  Then it's only cleaning up their mess.

Answer 5

Communication, patience, respect, caution, a sense of responsibility are all good qualities an ideal babysitter would possess.

By communication I mean good a communicating with the children on their level and also good a communicating with you.

Patience means the babysitter will keep a cool head even amongst trying situations.

Respect means that they will help care for the children the best you have asked them too, not just do things according to their own preferences.

Caution would mean to let the children have some freedoms, but ones that are age-appropriate, and to never leave them unattended.

A sense of responsibility means that they will always put their duties first, and not let other things (such as text messages, a favorite TV show) interrupt the quality of time and care they give to the kids.

Answer 6

a good babysitter should have a CPR card know how to entertain and play with kids

Answer 7

I babysit and I would look for the following if I had kids:

responsible, concerned with the kids safety above all else, don't just stick them in front of the tv or video games, uphold the household rules (the ones you know and the ones that come from common sense), actually play with them, do different activities/mix between outside activities and indoor depending on the weather, if you are allowed to drive then mix in a fun trip here and there (i wouldn't allow a person to drive my kids if they were under 21, but i drive the kids i watch), you get along with the children/can handle the number i have, I would want a 17 yr old or older with a car and clean record (mainly in case of emergencies), clean up after the kids (I clean everything after the kids go to bed--our mess or not), help with homework on school nights, get them to bed on time/don't give in to requests to stay up later, no body piercings other than 1 or 2 in each ear (as you are influencing the children-you are cool to them), no visible tattoos, no  unnecessary personal phone calls while the kids are awake (1 occasional might be ok with permission), don't let them eat junk all day, know what to do in common emergency situations, babysitterstraining , cpr and first aid training, good academic background (no drop outs/ failing grades, as good grades often say alot about who you are-i don't expect A's, but F's aren't good), good morals and family values (i personally want someone with compatible and good religious views to my families ( as i do plan on having prayer before bed and meals and kids ask many questions about God and I want them to get answers I would agree with.  I have also been asked to pray with kids in the past).  There is so much more to hiring a babysitter than just their babysitting skills, they are helping raise and influence your kids so you want to like their whole person, not just their babysitting skills. My brother tells me I will be way too overprotective of my kids, so many parents may not want as much as I do. I would also want to know the sitter, or their family, not just find them online.  Obviously I wouldn't  be as picky if the sitter watched my kids 1 or 2 times a year, but many families try to have the same sitter all the time or switch b/w 2 or 3 sitters.

Answer 8

Maturity!! I don't think it matters what age you start, but that you are mature. I was watching children by age 10 and a baby who was on a apnea monitor, hip brace and special shoes by age 15. However, I wasn't watching TV all the time or calling friends. I was watching the children. Here are things that I did I worked from 6am to 11pm some nights during that time I made breakfast, lunch and helped with supper. I washed the dishes, vacuumed, moped, folded laundry. One thing that I think is important and the parents did with me, is to have the babysitter over and see how they handle things while you are their. My first two weeks I went over every day for 2-3 hours and while the parent did laundry, took a shower, worked in the garden, etc... I took care of the 2 kids, she was close enough if I needed her and she was also their to observe me and see how I handled things. The parents used to take me with them to doctor appointments, because I stayed calmer then they were and therefore; I kept the little guy calm also.

Answer 9

Pay attention and not watch dumb reality shows