EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
KID
QUIPS
“One night, my 3-year-old asked me if she could sleep in my bed. I told her no. She said, “That’s not fair! Why does Daddy get to sleep in your bed?” READ MORE
Teen Years (13-18)
|
||||
|
Is your preteen ready to watch others? TIPS for parents • Require enrollment in a babysitting training course. • Be home, or at least accessible, when your child is sitting. • Know something about the family who has hired your child. Keep contact information nearby. • Stress that babysitting is a job and encourage her to be punctual, dependable and responsible. • Discuss specific rules before jobs are accepted, i.e. no babysitting after 10 p.m. on weeknights or no sitting for more than four-hour periods. • Encourage her to interact with the children. Kids don’t like babysitters who are glued to their cell phones or are ignoring them in other ways. You probably still view your 12-year-old child as exactly that – a child. But she has come to you because she wants your permission to start babysitting for a neighbor. The confusing part is that she constantly taunts and argues with her younger siblings, making you wonder if she even enjoys being around young children. You can’t imagine her changing a diaper because she balks whenever you ask her to clean up the dog poop. Is she really ready for this type of responsibility? Interestingly, the majority of states have no law stating that children must be a specific age in order to babysit. “It really depends on the particular child,” says Sally Herrholz, executive director of Safe Sitter Inc., a national safety program designed for young teenagers who are interested in babysitting. “We know that chronological age does not always relate to emotional maturity, so not every child is able to babysit as a preteen.” In fact, some 11- and 12-year-olds are not even ready to take care of themselves completely, much less care for younger children. Others are afraid to be home alone. At some point, though, most kids will contemplate taking on this coming-of-age activity. Whether it’s for the extra spending money or to acquire a sense of independence, many preteens will want to try babysitting. As a parent, you can assess whether your child is ready to babysit in a number of ways. “The first thing you can determine is if your child actually enjoys spending time with young children,” says Herrholz. “There are many youngsters who don’t feel comfortable around younger children, so don’t push them into doing something that’s not a good fit.” Herrholz adds that parents should assess how comfortable children feel about taking on a potential babysitting job. If they’re motivated enough to enroll in a babysitting class, it shows their level of commitment. Babysitting training programs offered by organizations, such as Safe Sitter and the American Red Cross, teach preteens childcare techniques; child development; first aid information, specifically how to clear an obstructed airway; behavioral management; safety concerns; prevention techniques and business skills. “Our program is designed for children who are 11 to 13 because we want them to have this information before they start babysitting,” says Herrholz. “By being prepared, they will become less frustrated when having to face the challenges associated with babysitting.” Twelve-year-old Devon Bryson has been babysitting for more a year after taking the Safe Sitter course. She feels the class helped her prepare for many of the “what ifs” that come up when babysitting. “A couple of the most important things I learned were what to do when siblings are fighting and how to get a kid to go to sleep when they don’t want to.” Many children are able to gain experience babysitting by first watching their younger siblings when their parents are away from the house. If this situation arises, parents should state clearly their expectations to both the child who’s babysitting and the child who is being cared for. This minimizes the conflicts that might arise due to normal sibling rivalry. Babysitting offers many rewards to preteens and teens that enjoy spending time with young children. Not only does it help a child become more independent and confident, it also teaches them about fiscal responsibility. As Herrholz points out, “Studies have shown that adolescents who baby-sit have higher levels of self-esteem and more confidence to withstand peer pressure.” m (For a babysitting class near you, visit Safe Sitter at safesitter.org or contact your local Red Cross chapter.) Carol Daus is a freelance writer who lives in Huntington Beach with her husband and three teenagers. |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This ArticleSEARCH THE SITE
