Parents and babysitters of CS, I need advice!

[Parrothead]

I just got roped into watching an 8-year-old boy over winter break. I'll be arriving about 7:30-8ish in the morning, and will be leaving around 4ish. I don't know jack about kids (I've never babysat before), so I was wondering:

• What is a fair/reasonable rate?
• What should I bring (if anything) to entertain him? (He likes to read, has a problem with nonfiction, and is in a gifted program)
• What should I expect from an average 8-year-old?

Thanks!

[shadowpanda]

There is no such thing as an average 8 year old

Is there any chance you will be able to meet him before you start looking after him by yourself? If you can, then you can introduce yourself in a non threatening way (i.e. his parents are still there, he is in his territory) and then you can have a chat with his parents about ground rules.

- How much tv is appropriate each day?
- Do they want him to spend a certain amount of time outside?
- What is the situation for food? Will they prepare food for you to re-heat? Will they expect you to cook proper meals or are sandwiches ok? What snacks are allowed at at what time of the day? Is he allowed fizzy drinks?
- Does he have a routine mum and dad would want you to stick to? i.e. up at 8am, snack at 10am, lunch at 12 30 etc.
- How does he react in a bad mood? Does he cry/scream/sulk/sleep etc? Knowing that is a good thing, because it means you can identify when he is in a bad mood without worrying too much.

I doubt you would need to take anything with you, at least initially. If he is in his house, he will have stuff there. You may want to take a book with you though.

Can't advise you on rates though, as I'm not sure where you are, how old you are, how long you will be doing this for etc. I'm sure someone else can help you with that

Good luck :-)

[Parrothead]

Georgia, metro Atlanta area, I'm 24, and doing this for a week.

[Kheldarson]

Make sure you know rules of the house because kids love to take advantage! In terms of money, for a full day? I'd say about $50 or so. That's a little less than $8 an hour, so about minimum wage and still cheaper than daycare, I think. And considering most babysitters can pull a $20 for watching a kid for a couple of hours? But discuss that more with the parents.

And bring stuff more for yourself than him. There will be points where you're bored silly.

[AdminAssistant]

Yeah, I imagine 8 year olds can pretty much entertain themselves, and you'll mostly be there to make sure he gets fed and that he doesn't set the house on fire. But, depending on the kid, they may be up for playing video games or board games together or just playing in general.

[Eisa]

And definitely ask about allergies...

[Plaidman]

Bring Batman.

Kids love Batman.

Do games. I know a dozen or so that you can do with little to no supplies. PM me if ya want some.

[dalesys]

Discuss what to do in emergencies!

1) After calling 911 (major).

2) Minor, non-911.

3) Non-emergencies that the angel-daemon may try to pull.

[Squeaksmyalias]

Nerf guns....
Star wars- run around pretending to be jedi or shooting blasters (fingers work of course) at each other. Or cowboys and Indians, uber alien robots vs. earthlings....
Neat science experiments. Like baking soda and vinegar type things, making messy things you can do out on the driveway. Make goo!
If the weather is nice playing in the yard and tracking the neighborhood animals.
Play video games with him if he has any, don't just sit and watch.
Just be creative and think of things you would want a babysitter to do if you were his age. I'm a girl and I would have loved those things, then again when I played with other kids it was boys....so I don't think like a normal girl.

[Gerrinson]

The biggest single thing to remember about kids: They are not kids. They're just short people. Don't treat kids with disrespect just because of their age. There

Treat a child as a person and you'll get much more respect from them. Which is why kids always ask for me back as a babysitter, even though I personally don't like children all that much.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, just like grown people, they have their own tastes and habits. Best thing to do is to ask his parents what he likes to do.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I used to bring a Disney movie from my mom's rather extensive collection when I babysat for my cousin's kids cuz they didn't have most of them; they were always excited to see which one I had. Plus it gave us something to do and kept me from having to watch inane crap like Barney or whatever Hannah Montana-type thing that was the thing to watch at the time (I sat for them since the oldest was an infant; she's 15 now ). Though I usually sat in the evenings and eventually put them to bed; I really only had to deal with dinner and a few hours of entertaining them. They also liked to read so that was good. I would bring a book or magazines and we'd all read. But ask the parents if there's something you can bring (board game, movie, whatever) to break the ice.

If you'll be at his house, it's a lot easier. Ask him what he likes to do. Do it with him. Hang out.