How to Prepare a Teen to Become a Babysitter

Your pre-teen or teenager is a responsible young person who wants to earn some extra money and is good at working with children. Babysitting is a great first job for youngsters ages 11 to about 17. Many teens start out in this line of work by caring for younger siblings or helping out relatives with babies. You have connections with other parents and can be a great resource for your child to start babysitting and earning money. Follow these simple steps for helping your pre-teen or teen break out into the world of babysitting.

Instructions

1. Check with your local American Red Cross office or hospital to see if they offer a "Become a Babysitter" class and CPR class geared toward teens. These are usually day-long classes for a small fee. This fee usually includes a handbook and a certification card at the end of the class. Being a graduate of such a class makes your teen more marketable! It also shows prospective client families that your teen is serious about this business.

2. Help your teen practice skills learned in class. Quiz your teen on topics discussed in the handbook from class. This will let you determine that your teen is indeed ready to take on this responsiblity.

3. Give your teen pointers on building a babysitting resume that can also double as a flyer. Make sure it lists any child care experience your teen has with siblings, cousins or neighbors. Also have your teen include any athletic activities or special skills he or she might have that might enrich a babysitting experience.

4. Make a list of friends, neighbors and co-workers for which you would feel comfortable having your child babysit. Help your child contact these people to hold interviews. During these interviews, the family and your teen can discuss family rules and procedures prior to accepting a job with that family.

5. Counsel your teen on setting pay rates based on "going rates" in your area.

6. Be available to transport your teen to and from the job, and be available by phone should he or she need to contact you for advice or assistance during the babysitting job.

7. Sit down for a chat with your teen after he or she gets home from that first babysitting job. Have your teen tell you what went well and what could be improved upon. How did she feel while on the job - confident or scared? Were the children well-behaved? Most importantly, what did your teen enjoy most about the experience? Help him or her formulate a plan for the next babysitting job.

Tips & Warnings

• Help your teen put together a Babysitter's Magic Bag of little books, a handpuppet or little stuffed animals, age appropriate craft items, puzzles or anything else you think could be used as a surprise or distraction.

• Make sure your teen asks the family about any allergies, forbidden food, medicine schedule or any other health-related needs the kids have.

• First aid kits designed specifically for babysitters are available through most American Red Cross offices.

• Many teens lose interest in babysitting after about age 15 or 16. This is generally the age that retail and food service jobs become available to your teen.

• Warn your teen about staying away from swimming pools or other bodies of water. This is one liability issue to which your teen does not need to be exposed unless he or she is an older teen and a certified lifeguard.