by Marie Kay

Created on: February 15, 2010   Last Updated: February 22, 2010

When you were younger, you probably had babysitters who helped take care of you while your parents were out.  Now that you are a little older, perhaps you have been asked to babysit for a friend or a younger sibling.  First of all, you should feel proud of yourself that someone has put enough trust in you to leave their child with you.  Next, there are a few things to remember when you become a babysitter. 

Babysitting is a big responsibility and should be taken seriously.  When you are taking care of other children, you are in charge of their lives for that short amount of time.  Maybe you have been asked to watch your little brother or sister while your mom cooks dinner or goes to the store.  If an adult isn't home with you, it's important to know what to do in case of an emergency.  Make sure you have emergency phone numbers available, and the phone numbers of your parents or another trusted adult. 

Babysitting can be fun but you need to remember that you're there to make sure the children you are watching are kept safe and entertained.  It's a good idea to have some activities planned out ahead of time for you and the children to share.  Kids love to play games, color, read books, or watch movies with their babysitter.  Be sure that you respect the rules of the house, and make sure the children do, too. 

The time spend babysitting should be devoted to the kids.  This is not the time for you to be on the computer, or on your cell phone chatting or texting.  Give the children your full attention when you are babysitting.  Get involved with them and have fun.  They are counting on you to take care of them, and that is your responsibility while they are in your care.

Whether you are getting paid to babysit, or simply helping your parents out with your siblings, remember to take the responsibility seriously.  If you give it your best effort, you can be proud of yourself for a job well done!

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