I’m sure we have all thought of babysitting as an easy way to create some type of income and, although it may sound like a piece of cake, it can get really bad, really quickly. So, here are some tips from an active babysitter to avoid finding yourself in that situation.

1. Know your Worth 

It’s good to have a set cost no matter your client, therefore you know how much money you are making per session. Be sure to let the parents know how much you charge per hour prior to the babysitting, leaving space for them to consider whether or not they will hire you. Cost per child may also be something to consider, especially when you have multiple young children, so do what’s best for you.  The periods of time for which you will have to babysit vary, so be ready to stay 6+ hours with the kids, and know an approximate amount of how much you will be making.

2. Meeting the Kids

Do not go into a stranger’s home. Ensure that someway or another, you know the parents and kids before you go look after them in their home. This creates a sense of trust between both parties; the kids will probably feel more comfortable around you and vice versa. Usually, you get hired because you know the parents, but in the case that you don’t, coordinate a time and place to meet them and their kids.

3. Create a Schedule

Know at what time you have to arrive as well as at what time you will leave. If the time period of the babysitting includes any meal, make sure to plan ahead. For example, if you are going to look after kids from 5pm to 10pm, it’s usually a good idea to have some type of activity, then the meal, followed by another activity or two, and then begin the night routine. Activities can include movies, games, arts and crafts, sports, pool, etc.

4. HAVE PATIENCE

It’s no lie that kids can be hard, but you need to find a way around it if you want to be asked to babysit again. If you find yourself in a situation where two siblings are fighting, try to put in practice your inner maternal or paternal skills. Maybe separate them, talk to them, put on a movie—but whatever you do, do not lose patience. At the end of the day, it’s their house and not yours, so just keep calm and move on.

5. Clean Up

Once the kids are in bed, or if they are doing something that does not require your constant attention (like playing video games), try to wash the dishes or clean up around the house. You are not a housekeeper, but there is no shame in getting those extra brownie points that can be the make or break when parents are deciding whether to call you again or not.

6. Boys ≠ Girls

Especially in kids, boys and girls are two completely different realms, so it’s important to create an approach that is suitable for who you are babysitting. I’m not saying that there are things girls do that boys can’t and the opposite way around; I’m suggesting that you get to the kids’ house having some activities planned according to their likes. You will probably not have the possibility to braid a 7 year old boy’s hair, so keep situations like that in mind when preparing for your babysitting period.

7. Emergencies!

I personally have never faced an emergency, like a fire or something important breaking, but in the case that you do, follow these steps:

1. Keep calm
2. Try to solve the problem + inform the parents 
3. Stabilize the kids
4. Call authorities if needed
5. Move on

It’s crucial to remain calm and try to solve the issue as soon as you can.

Overall, babysitting is neither difficult nor easy, so getting familiarized with what to do and how to do it can spare some awkward moments for you, the kids and the parents. It’s good to have some type of relationship with your clients so they trust you with their home and kids, and your ultimate goal is for them to call you back, so do everything possible for that to happen. If you follow these 7 tips, it’s almost guaranteed that you will have a successful babysitting session. Remember to individualize your experiences, and keep in mind that not everyone’s the same. Always remain calm, and good luck!