Babysitting is a huge and exciting responsibility. As a pediatrician I often get asked for advice when a teen is getting ready for his or her first babysitting job. Here is a list of my “babysitting tips : The Do’s and Don’ts”

Babysitting Tips: do’s

  • Your first priority is keeping the kids safe. It’s important to know the home address and home phone number. Make sure you have a list of emergency numbers including:
  • Come prepared. Great resources to find a babysitter training or safety course include www.redcross.org and www.ymcahouston.org. I recommend all babysitters have first aid skills like CPR.
  • Know where the first aid kit is located. Hopefully you will never need it but it is always important to know.
  • Make sure to ask for instructions regarding meal time. Do the children have any food allergies?
  • Most importantly, have fun! Board games and playing outside are great ways to keep kids active and entertained.

Babysitting Tips: don’ts

  • Except in the case of emergencies, it is best for you to stay off your phone. Watching kids is challenging enough, you do not need the added distraction.
  • Make sure you know how many kids you can handle at a time; don’t try to babysit too many children at once.
  • Do not leave children alone and make sure to check on them often when they have gone to bed.

To learn more babysitting tips, visit American Academy of Pediatrics babysitting reminders.

Originally posted here by Dr. Elizabeth “Raine” Johnson, MD, at Texas Children’s Hospital