When you first came up with the idea of babysitting you probably thought it was an easy enough job with few responsibilities. The truth is that babysitting involves quite a bit of responsibility and if things go haywire quite a bit of stress too. Look over this list of things a babysitter needs to consider and see if you feel ready to do the job.
• Are You Old Enough? It is best if you are at least 12 and probably best if you are closer to 16 years of age before you begin. You will want to be able to properly care for the child or children involved and could easily become overwhelmed if you are too young yourself.
• What Can You Handle? Knowing how many hours of babysitting you can do and not overrun other things like school or a job is very important. You should never leave the parent you’re sitting for hanging when they need you.
• What Ages Are Best for You? Can you watch a baby? A toddler? How about a child who’s in elementary school? The responsibilities and task involved varies by age. If a certain age is too much for you don’t attempt it.
• Can You Handle an Emergency? If a child falls and gets hurt or their parents have an accident and need you to watch the child for a longer span can you handle it? If a child needs CPR do you know how to do it?
• What if the Child Gets Upset? Will you be able to help them calm down without getting upset yourself? Are you mature enough not to get angry if they cry or yell? You’ll need to be able to remain calm and handle the situation reasonably, if you can’t handle this you may not be ready to be babysitting.