How To Manage Behaviours While Babysitting
Taking care of kids is an important responsibility that can help you to learn many skills. They include patience, problem-solving, responsibility, communication, time management, active listening and practicing safety.
Babysitting can also be quite challenging if you are dealing with misbehaviours. Many people think that when a child misbehaves, they are doing it on purpose. But often, the behaviour is because the child has a need. It’s a normal way for children to learn about boundaries, consequences, and other important skills. Babysitters should be patient and try to understand the real reason behind the behavior. By listening and asking questions, you may discover what is causing the behavior.
Some reasons children misbehave are:
- Growing up and changing, which is a normal part of development
- Overstimulated – too much to handle
- Feeling bored, tired, or hungry
- Feeling worried or anxious
- Having a wet or dirty diaper
- Wearing uncomfortable clothing
- Finding it hard to understand the world around them
- Needing closeness or something they haven’t received yet
- Struggling to communicate their needs or feelings
Sometimes, distracting the child with another activity or ignoring the behavior can help. It may be necessary to ask the child’s parents for advice on how to handle the situation. Remember to stay near the child and ensure their safety. Never shout, shake, or hit a child.
What should you do if a child is bored?
If you thing boredom may be the cause, communicate with the children you’re babysitting. Practice active listening and ask questions to find out what they may be interested in doing. In some cases, the kids may not even want to answer you. Don’t worry about it. Come up with a fun and interactive way to offer suggestions. On Care.com, Kate Ward recommends creating a “Boredom Jar”.
“Work with the child to come up with a list of things they like to do,” she instructs, “Write each item down on a slip of paper and put all of the papers in the jar. The next time you’ve got bored kids on your hands, tell them to choose a slip from the ‘Boredom Jar’ and let them work on whatever idea they’ve picked.”
What should you do if a child is “hangry”?
You know the term to describe being angry because you’re hungry? It may be why the kids you’re babysitting are acting up. When is the last time the kids ate? Do they have a specific meal time? While it’s important to follow the rules of the parents who left you in charge, it’s wise to pay attention to the times when the children in your care start literally bellyaching.
Addressing this topic on TheConversation.com, the team of Alison Spence, Alissa Burnett and Georgie Russell suggest that you offer foods that help children feel fuller for longer. “Try to serve nutritious, substantial snacks,” they write, “Try natural yoghurt, milk, hummus, nuts/nut butter (of age-appropriate texture), eggs, oat muesli or wholegrain bread, to go with fruit or veggie snacks.”
Looking for more expert advice on babysitting?
SOS 4 Kids offers a Babysitter’s Course for children aged 11 to 15. It teaches you how to supervise young children in a safe and responsible manner. You also learn basic first aid skills. For more information, give us a call at 1-844-373-1024. You may also email us at [email protected] or fill out the form on our Contact page!
