Assignment 20- How to Tame Monsters- Katelyn Rowell

Babysitting is no easy task. With four kids, one yorkie, and endless dangerous objects in a tiny house, I’ve learned that things can get pretty crazy. In my two years of babysitting, I’ve seen almost everything- vomiting, screaming, kicking, fighting. You name it, and I’ve probably dealt with it. Despite the craziness, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks over the past couple of years. Since I always babysit from around 5:00 at night to 12:30 in the morning, I’ve developed a pretty effective routine.

1. Start off with games. Ideally, it’s best if you can get the kids outside. Play tag or throw a ball with them. Do anything you can to get their energy out early so that you don’t have to put up with screaming kids who want to wrestle at 11:00 later that night. 

2. After playing outside with them for about an hour, take them in to eat at 6:00. This is where it gets tricky. You have to make dinner while entertaining a three year old, a four year old, a crazy eight year old boy, and a thirteen year old girl who just wants to be alone. Usually, I try to get the kids to play some sort of game. Whether it's playdough for the younger ones, or UNO for the older ones, try to find something that will occupy their minds and keep them in one spot so you can keep an eye on them while you make their dinner.

3.Usually, the older kids don’t put up a fight when it comes to dinner time, but you’re going to have to put in some effort with the younger ones. If you play your cards wrong, you may just end up with two screaming little girls who don’t want to be within three feet of their chicken nuggets. If the kids you’re babysitting are like mine, they won’t want to eat more than two bites. So, instead of yelling at them, try to make it a competition. Complement one kid on how much they’ve eaten. Soon, their little sibling will be seeking compliments about how much they’ve eaten as well. Before you know it, they will have eaten almost all of their food. If this doesn’t work, you can always try bargaining. If they take five more bites of food, they can watch five extra minutes of TV later.

4. Soon after dinner, it will be time for the little kids to go to bed. As you get one ready for bed, have the other watch Mickey Mouse. Read them a couple of books, and before you know it, they’ll be asleep.

5. When you babysit four kids, it becomes really easy to forget about the older ones since the younger ones require so much attention. I use the time after I put the little ones to bed to talk to the older ones. Ask them about school, help them with their homework, watch a TikTok they just made. Kids usually act up because they want attention. If you listen to the kids you’re babysitting and show them that you care, they will trust you in the future and give you an easier time.

All in all, babysitting is a tricky job. But once you get it down, you’ll find that it’s a fun way to make good money.