I have been babysitting for seven years. I started taking care of my three younger siblings when I was eleven and started sitting for other families when I was thirteen. Over the years I built a reputation that had families not only calling me back year after
Here are my top tips for building a reputation and being the best babysitter you can be.
Respond to messages quickly
If you get a text or a voicemail asking about your availability at a certain time on a certain day, make sure to check your schedule and get back to them within a few hours. If you can’t take the job on the day they suggest, apologize and tell them the days you are available.
Always go the extra mile
One thing I did that frequently earned extra tips was clean up. I always did the dishes after eating, and if the kids went to bed and I had a little extra time I would clean the whole kitchen, fold blankets, and straighten shoes by the door. Who doesn’t want a babysitter who also cleans the kitchen?
Dress appropriately
I dress for babysitting like I would any other job. Look nice, but be ready for action. For example, you wouldn’t want to wear a scoop-neck shirt to look after an infant (they’re very grabby), and a skirt wouldn’t be the best idea for five to eight-year-olds because they might want you to roll around on the ground with them.
Be fun, but firm
Even when the adults are around. No parent wants to see their sitter be afraid to say “no” when their kid is pleading for attention or goodies. If you’ve just arrived and you’re expecting the parent to give you instructions for the night, calmly and firmly tell the child that you will be right there, but you have to talk to their mommy first.
Once the parents have left for the night, have the same attitude. Play with the kids, laugh at their jokes, tell them stories, but maintain your authority and make sure they respect you.
Be honest about the kids behavior at the end of the night
This can be uncomfortable, but it’s also important. When the parents get home at night and ask “how were they?” be honest about the kids’ behavior. The parent will understand and help fix any problems for future nights. If they either don’t ask this question or don’t like your negative answer, be careful. The laxer the parents, the more misbehaved the kids will be.
Have a rate
Some parents will ask, some parents won’t. I used to never do this and I wish I had. When you accept the first job with a new family, mention your rate. For example:
New Client: Hi! We’d love you to
You: Hi! I would love to babysit your kids! Friday at that time is perfect for me. My rate is $15 an hour, is that okay?
Most of the time that should work. If they seem unsure, negotiate and base your final decision on the number of kids and how many clients you already have. You can always come up with an excuse to not sit for them again if it ends up not being worth it.
Phrase your rejections carefully
If it’s a family you love and you genuinely can’t sit for them one night, politely explain to them why you (use the word unfortunately or something similar) can’t, mention that you wish you could if they’re a little newer, and tell them of the dates you are available near that time. If it’s a family you don’t like and don’t want to sit for anymore, simply say “Sorry! I can’t make it that night, I have plans to do this thing.” If you have permission, you can give them a fellow babysitter’s number who might be willing to take the job. That should be enough to no longer have to work for them, but if they text you a few more times afterward, simply repeat that you aren’t available.
Babysitting is a common job for teens, but it’s also a very important one. Parents are entrusting their most precious possession to you, so you have to be prepared. Take the job seriously, and they will take you seriously.