How much to charge for an overnight baby sitting job?

Advice for baby sitting!!!!!?

• Please help me by giving advice for baby sitting! I want to have job for summer by baby sitting! I have a few questions though, but please give me everything you know about baby sitting. Links would be helpful too! a.) What does Red Cross certified mean? -How long is the class you take to be Red Cross certified? -Would you want your baby sitter to be Red Cross certified? b.) Would you feel better if you had two baby sitters together rather than one? -Would two baby sitters look more or less professional? c.) What should I charge (per hour)? -What price would YOU want to pay (rather than what the baby sitter charges) d.) What characteristics would you want your baby sitter to have? -Would you want your baby sitter to have good grades and be involved with lots of activities? e.) What age would you prefer your baby sitter to be? -Would 13 be old enough for you? Those are all my questions for now! Thanks in advance! And please, if you have any other advice PLEASE tell it to me! Thank you!

• Answer:

  1.) You can take classes through the American Red Cross that help you to be prepared in case of various emergencies. They teach you how to do CPR, first aid, etc. Here's a link that tells you all about the classes: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=aea70c45f663b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default 2.) I think two babysitters would look a little less professional just because it looks like you can't handle it by yourself. Unless there are 3 or more children. I would also be worried that with two babysitters that are friends, they would be more into talking and having fun with eachother than watching the kids. 3.) For one child, I think $8.00 an hour would be a reasonable rate. And $1.50 extra an hour for each additional child. That's what I would pay. But definitely talk to the parents beforehand and agree on a price so there aren't any problems when they pay you. Don't give in, if you think you are getting ripped off, speak up and say so or you will hate your job and loathe going to it. 4.) I would definitely want my babysitter to be responsible. That's the biggest thing. Maturity is a big one. If they are immature I wouldn't leave them with my kids, I just wouldn't feel comfortable. Of course I would want them to be fun and involved with the kids. I want a babysitter who gets on the floor and plays with them, or goes outside with them and plays games instead of sitting on her butt and watching them play. Yes I would want my babysitter to have decent grades because it shows she is determined and smart and is good at making positive decisions. I don't think I would want her to be involved in tons of activities because if she's too busy she wouldn't have time to babysit! I would prefer one babysitter that I could always rely on instead of 2 or 3 different ones. That way the kids could get close to one and feel comfortable with her. 5.) I think 13 and older is a good age. 13 would be old enough if they were mature. Really age is nothing but a number, maturity is the big question. Another piece of advice: When I was your age and I babysat, I would bring a bag with me full of coloring books, crayons, paper, sidewalk chalk, various small toys, candy (make sure it's ok with the parents first!!), and some videos for the kids to watch. The parents really like this because they know you are putting lots of effort into entertaining their child and the kids love it because they get to play with new toys instead of theirs. They get bored of playing with the same ones everyday. So when you bring the bag, it's like their "fun bag" and they get to explore with new things. Another thing: there are lots of websites with small arts and crafts projects and cool things to do with kids. Kids like organized activities, and if it keeps them busy and interested, it's all the better for you. Try this website. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/kids/index.shtml and also: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/ . Make sure the parents leave you with a list of emergency phone numbers. Their cell phones, a close relative's phone number, the children(s) pediatrician's name and number, the name of the closest hospital, etc. Also make sure you have the home address you are babysitting at, in case you need to call emergency services so you can direct them where to go. Here's a really cool website for babysitting tips. http://www.babysittingtips.net/ Never be afraid to call the parents if you are unsure of something! They will trust you more. It's better to be safe than sorry. If a child asks you something and you are unsure if it's allowed, the safe bet is to say no. Have the parents write a list of important rules for you before they leave, so you know what flies and what doesn't. Hope I helped! Good luck!