Responsibilities of Babysitting Children

Take a CPR class before babysitting.

Babysitting is a huge responsibility and must be taken seriously. As a babysitter, it's your job to keep the children in your care safe at all times. If you think you would like to babysit, consider taking safety courses, such as CPR, so you are prepared for emergencies. Knowing how to handle small children as well as how to cook, negotiate sibling spats and communicate with your charges should make the experience a pleasant one.

First Things First

Before the parents leave, get their phone numbers. Find out the address of the home, so that in an emergency you will know your location when you call for help. Get the phone number of another responsible adult to call if you cann't reach the parents in an emergency. Ask the parents to provide you with insurance information, the name of the child's physician and a signed emergency treatment release for the child. Before you take a job, ask the hourly rate the parents are willing to pay.

Checklist

Ask the parents for a checklist so you will know exactly what you are supposed to do while they are gone. Ask if you are to feed the children and what they are to be fed. Inquire if you are supposed to do any housecleaning such as dish washing or picking up toys. These instructions should be included in the checklist. If no checklist is not available, ask the questions, remember the answers and follow through.

Age of the Children

Your responsibilities will vary depending on the age of the children you are watching. If you are watching an infant, you must feed, burp, diaper, hold and soothe her. You must know how to change a diaper. When you are babysitting older children, ask the parents what time they should be put in bed and what activities (such as use of the computer or TV viewing) they are allowed. Make sure the kids put on their pajamas and brush their teeth before going to bed.

CPR and Other Safety Issues

Learn infant CPR, which is different from CPR used on an adult. The Heimlich procedure for choking is done differently on an infant than it is on an older child or adult, and you need to know the difference if you are watching small children. Lock all doors in the house. This is for your safety as well as the children's. Don't let anyone enter whom you do not know, and don't invite friends over if the parents haven't given you permission to do so.

Medication

You may be required to dispense medication to the children. Pay very close attention to the instructions that you are given. After dispensing the medicine, put it out of the children's reach.

Transportation

If you don't drive, make arrangements for your parents to pick you up when your babysitting shift is over.

References

• Babysitters 4 Hire: Babysitting Responsibilities
• Labor of Love: Babysitting Responsibilities