HOME ALONE ... BABYSITTING:101

Your Must-haves

Experienced babysitters usually put together a bag of stuff to take with them on jobs. Here's what you might wanna put in yours....

1. First-aid kit
2. Construction paper
3. Craft scissors designed for kids
4. Yarn, buttons, beads
5. Markers/crayons
6. Playing cards
7. Books
8. Cassettes of fun music
9. Old clothes to play dress-up
10. Videos (think Shrek and The Little Mermaid)

Been There, Done That Tips from Babysitters

Alicia, 12: "Communicate with the parents BEFORE they leave about what's expected from the kid. What are the rules? What should he eat? What can he watch on TV? How can he be punished if he's bad? Knowing this can save a lot of hassle."

Maggie, 14: "Meet with the family first and play with the kid before you actually sit. That way she can find out what the kids are into — T-ball, ballet, the Spice Girls."

Amelia, 15: "I always make sure I call my mom with the information about where the parents are going to be, just in case. It makes me feel safer."

Sam, 11: "Have the parents walk you through the house, so you know where everything is. Also, get phone numbers of the neighbors, so you will be able to get a hold of someone close by if you need to."

Need-to-know Info

File this one in the "Just in case" file: Okay, so maybe it seems paranoid, but you should know all this info before the parents walk out the door. (Have 'em write it down.)

Family name
Children's names and ages
Time parents will return
Phone number where they can be reached
Address where you are
Nearest cross streets
Phone number
Name and phone number of two neighbors
Name and phone number of family doctor
Name and phone number of hospital
Phone number for Poison Control
Additional instructions

And one more thing...
Before you camp out on the sofa with the remote and One Tree Hill, make sure you've done everything on your babysitting checklist. Whaddaya mean? What checklist? It's that "stuff to do" list you made yourself, to make sure you wouldn't space on anything the parents asked you to do. (Plus, it's a good way to track your time, and the amount of work you've done, which helps in figuring out how much to charge.) Include this stuff:

Ask parents:
1. Instructions on meals and snacks. If there's a baby: When's bottle time?
2. Also, when's their bedtime and should you bathe the kids?
3. Do the kids need any medicine? Are they allergic to anything?

Your checklist:
1. Did you do the dishes?
2. Clean up any mess the kids made while you were there.
3. Shut and lock doors.
4. Bring bikes and toys inside.
5. Turn off unnecessary lights.
6. Have the kids brush their teeth and bathe (keep an eye on young kids in the bathtub!).
7. Check on them periodically once they've been put to bed.

Cha-ching! How to collect the cash

Make up a receipt at the end of the night. It'll keep you from getting gypped, and help the parents figure out how much to pay you. Include your arrival time, total hours babysitting, hourly rate, and — ta-da! — grand total. Hand it to them with a smile and a "Thanks."

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