Need Some Advice on Babysitting

Sorry for not being on the board as much. I am so busy all the time and then my computer broke down and I finally got a new one.

I was wondering if you ladies can give me some advice on babysitting. I have babysat before but it was always older kids. Now this weekend I am babysitting my Godson who is 2 and a half years old. Any advice....what do i do if he cries for his mom? what can i entertain him with? we have no kids yet so i don't have much toys...

I am looking forward to spending time with him. I just hope he doesn't cry like hell for his mommy....

aww have fun!!!!

crayons and paper r good...
singing outloud and being silly if he wants mom..
distract with barney or elmo or something on tv or a doll..
if its nice out..go to the park..

Well, one really important thing to do when making the transition from mom and/or to you, is to make sure that mom says goodbye to him and tells him that she'll be back soon. So many parents try to avoid upsetting their kids by 'sneaking out' while the child is distracted, which just results in negatively impacting the child's trust in the parent.

It sounds like you're babysitting at your home. If he's not familiar and comfortable at your home, that can make it more difficult. Suggest to his parents that they bring a few of his favorite toys and videos with him. He can also bring a photo of his parents. If he has a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, that should definitely come.

Hi, I currently teach 2-3 year olds. At the beginning of school I had some criers, but I told the parents to give them a picture of them to look at or to bring something in from home for them to hold onto.

The kids in school love dressing up (boys & girls) and the bigger legos and blocks. They haven't really mastered coloring yet, but like doing various crafts with different materials (pasting pasta on construction paper, making snowmen out of cotton, masks using paper plates, puppets from paper bags). Also if you read stories, ask him questions or relate it to him.

If all else fails throw in a Dora or Barney or Spiderman video.

Good luck.

PS--they also love finger foods.....Cheerios & other cereal, raisens, goldfish, chopped fruit slices

Well we really can't go out because he is coming in the evening. We have a cat which he likes petting whenever he comes over. so maybe i'll distract him with that...The first thing he always says when he comes in the door is 'where's kit cat'....it's not the name of our cat...that's the way he pronounces kitty cat...lol

my husband always acts goofy and silly around kids...so i'll have him make some faces........lol

I've already asked his mom to bring his favorite toys. I just hope he really doesn't cry.

He's been at my house before. But he's never had me babysitting him before. He's used to Grandma and his other aunties.....

Oh good idea about the video. I'll have to ask her to bring some of those too.....

He might be a little young for this, but you might want to make cookies with him after dinner. This way he can help and he gets to eat them when they're done!

Books, videos, building forts always works for me!!! If you have time, maybe you might want to go out and get him a cheap toy. something new is always distracting. Keep telling him what a good boy he's being. Kids react really well, and really quickly to positive praise!

Don't worry, you'll do fine!!

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Posted by usuk2004

He might be a little young for this, but you might want to make cookies with him after dinner. This way he can help and he gets to eat them when they're done!

Books, videos, building forts always works for me!!! If you have time, maybe you might want to go out and get him a cheap toy. something new is always distracting. Keep telling him what a good boy he's being. Kids react really well, and really quickly to positive praise!

Don't worry, you'll do fine!!

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I was going to say make pizza with him which is always a fun activity similar to the cookies.

The making cookies is a good idea. I spoke with his mom and she is going to bring his favorite toys, videos and painting supplies cuz she said he loves to paint.

My biggest concern is him crying after his mommy leaves. But I guess there is nothing we can do about that, eventually he'll stop. Him crying won't have nothing to do with the fact that he is in a new place, cuz he cries when his mommy leaves him with grandma who he is used to seeing almost everyday. She said he bonds with men more, like if grandpa is there he follows grandpa around. So i'm hoping my husband will soften the blow and my godson loves him! whenever he sees him he gets excited like he's seen a celebrity or something. And he'll run up to him and follow him around the whole time.

i'm also nervous about changing diapers...LOL i've done it before, on little infants but not toddlers....on little infants it's easier...at least for me it is.

And this toddler is not potty trained yet. my friend has been teaching him but he still wants the diaper on for now.

Thank you ladies for all of your advice and help. Everything turned out well. We mostly watched tv and played with his favorite toys.

He also sat and watched the football playoffs with my husband...he cheered and rooted with him..it was the funniest thing. whatever my husband said my Godson repeated it!

And, you thought it was going to be hard. Easy as a piece of cake and you got to return him to his mom.

OOOOhhhh, sounds like someone's DH is ready to be a daddy!

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Posted by t

And, you thought it was going to be hard. Easy as a piece of cake and you got to return him to his mom.

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The best part is that I get to return him to his mom...lol

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Posted by Jax430

I'm glad to hear things went well!

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Thanks....

Thank you ladies for all of your advice. He did cry a little for his mom. DH put on the cartoon network for him and he was fine after that.