Babysitters: What Parents Actually Want You to Do
Submitted by Teresa Hendren in Home Page Stories, RCS Blog on July 28, 2020
Babysitters: What Parents Actually Want You to Do
Blog Written By: Mr. Warner, MSHS Principal
One of the many blessings of being a principal of a middle school and high school campus is direct access to not only some of the greatest students on the planet, but also access to the greatest pool of babysitters on the planet! My wife, Amber, and I have been blessed beyond measure over the last ten years to have RCS students spend evenings with our children so that we could go out on a date, attend a Bible study, or run errands (that would be impossible with three children).
In fact, our first babysitters were two RCS students who came to watch our twin boys every Monday night, so we could attend Bible studies. These two decided they merely wanted to be a blessing to us. They refused to take money each week and were committed to us coming home to a clean home. What a blessing they were to us in that crazy season!
We have had tremendous experiences with our RCS babysitters, but we have also heard of families who have had bad experiences with other babysitters who weren’t RCS students. We often tell them, “you should get an RCS student to come watch your children!” As we have talked with other parents, there seem to be several things that all parents want from a babysitter that RCS students simply seem to already know about.
For those coming into the age of being a babysitter, here is a list of the top fifteen ideas we have heard. Essentially it boils down to doing what the parents would do if they were there:
- If serving dinner, help do the dishes and clean up. If a babysitter is sitting on the couch when the parents return home and the kitchen is messy, it does not create happy feelings.
- Play with the kids, don’t just turn on a movie and observe them. Children are honest with their feelings and expressions to parents of what happened and how the babysitter interacted with them or ignored them.
- Come with a plan. Parents love walking out of the door knowing that the babysitter brought an arsenal of activities for the kids (we have observed the following in our home: balloon animals, books to be read, coloring books, bubbles, and painting activities). Then showcase on the counter any items the children made for the parents to see and for the kids to remember how much fun they had the night before.
- Direct the kids (if age appropriate) to help clean up toys and items from activities. If the children are too young, make sure the house is tidy before the parents return home.
- Be awake when the parents return (seriously).
- Consider the hourly rate. Parents feel $15/ hour is just not worth it. Aim lower and allow parents to tip you because of the tremendous job you did.
- Be confident in what you are doing. Problem solve, correct behavior appropriately, and make snacks or meals. Don’t text the parents every five minutes with questions or to help correct a child (unless there is an emergency). Parents are paying you so they can have a break from all of this.
- Make sure the kids sleep whether it is nap time or time for bed. One of the greatest joys for a parent coming home from a date night is to come home to sleeping children!
- If you don’t drive, arrange rides both to and from the house so this doesn’t add extra time to tired parents. If you do drive, drive yourself to the home.
- Don’t take pictures of the kids you are babysitting and especially don’t post pictures online or send in a text message.
- Respond to requests for a babysitting job quickly, even if you need to say, “Let me check.” Don’t leave parents wondering.
- Ask about any food or other allergies (this will wow the parents).
- Ask about TV shows or movies the children are allowed to watch. Children may lie to a babysitter! Ask about tablet or computer use, rules, and guidelines. Remember, children may lie to a babysitter!
- Give the parents a report when they get home. Tell them how much fun you had and how wonderful their children are (don’t lie, but highlight the great things about their children).
- Know that parents talk, network, and give recommendations for or against babysitters. You want their positive recommendation. Doing a good job will lead to future jobs for other families.
