Babysitting tips for teens
Most teenagers especially teens today enjoy alone time and are fully capable of looking after themselves. However, on the rare occasion you may be asked to look after a teenager you should be fully prepared for the job as you would be any other babysitting gig.
In order to get some inspiration flowing through your mind, Fran has decided to help you out yet again. Below are some ideas that we believe to be helpful when looking after teens. Perhaps it’s your first time babysitting a teen or just babysitting in general. Either way all of the tips discussed can be used for any age with a little adaption.
What’s the occasion or need for me to be here?
Before any babysitting job starts it is always a good idea to get some background information on where mum and dad are heading and why the kids are being left under your care. Often this is a good idea to establish as you need to know if the parents are at all contactable throughout the duration of your time in their home, as well as it also helps establish authority in cases where the teen may not be trusted in the home alone and requires extra looking after.
Communication is the key to success…
In no universe is your teen going to like the idea that they need to be looked after by someone other than their parental guardians, in some rare cases they may love the company but more often than not that won’t happen. In these circumstances, it is important to have good communication between yourself and the teen. If they are older perhaps don’t speak to them as if they were children but allow them to be their own person and give them space to do what they would do if their parents were home. A helicopter babysitter may not be needed in this position. (Refer back to tip number 1 as to why you are here).
Be cool… Be calm…. Be collected….
You are babysitting this teen for the sole purpose of maintaining their safety and protection. Try to avoid becoming a dictator that orders the teen around the house and instead begins to not listen to you and avoid contact with you. Approach the situation with a very laid-back view, encouraging the idea that you are more of an older brother or sister figure than someone who is here to look after them and make them dinner.
Be free little bird….
In the situation of babysitting a teenager, allow them the freedom to make their own decisions without testing your limits at the same time. Teenagers are at a point in their life where they realistically believe they are old enough to do as they please, when they want. It is your job to ensure they go about their day as they please as long as it is to the guidelines of the guardians. Allow yourself to give the teen a variety of options as well as suggest some for themselves. If you are unsure if something they want to do is not okay it is always a good idea to have the guardian(s) number on standby just in case. You should have this number no matter if you are minding a 5year old or a 15year old.
Try to keep them engaged …
Spend some quality time with the teen you are minding and get to know what they like and dislike, avoid spending the whole duration of your babysitting shift in the lounge room on your own whilst they have isolated themselves in their bedroom. It’s always a great idea for ask for inspiration from them, they may have an activity that they really want to do, just they can’t be bothered to make the first move so you might have to. Be open to the suggestions of your teen and don’t be afraid to try new things like playing a video game or going to the movies.
We hope some of these tips are helpful and make you feel a little more at ease with the idea of babysitting a teen. Give them a try and let us know how your teen experience goes, as well as suggest other things that you found useful.
Check out some of our other blogs which may be useful for your next sitting job.
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