The Babysitting Lady's Blog

This is not only a tip for babysitters and nannies, but it is an essential tip for parents, guardians, and any child caregiver at all.  If you want a child to behave well, you MUST BE CONSISTENT!!!

If you tell a child once they cannot eat cookies before bed, but then allow it on another night, you can expect that the child will ask again and again to have cookies before bed.  If you continue to tell a child that they cannot eat cookies before bed each time he asks, then the child will soon learn that cookies are not allowed before bed and he will stop asking.

Some babysitters are afraid that the children they are caring for will not like them or want them to babysit anymore if they do not give in to the child’s requests.  This is far from true.  Children will respect the babysitter or nanny and realize that she is in charge if she is kind but firm.

When you are dealing with children whether you are a babysitter or a parent, you need to  stick to the rules if you want children to obey them.  Giving in, even once, gives children the idea that whatever it is, is negotiable, whether it is about bedtime, snacks, length of time on computer games, etc.

If a child asks for something and your answer is no, but the child continues to beg and plead, you can try offering an alternative.  For example, if a child asks for you to bring her to the playground but your answer is no because it looks like it is about to rain, you could try offering an alternative activity like finger painting, baking cookies, or doing a puppet show.

Often, there may not be an alternative when the issue is something such as bedtime.  If that is the case, just say something like “I’m sorry, but it is 9:00 and that’s when your Mom said you have to go to bed.  I don’t make the rules but I do have to follow them.”

Use patience and kindness but stick to the rules and everyone will be happier in the end.

Lisa McLellan

Child Care Expert