A Few Important Points
Let your parents or guardians know where and when you are sitting. Always leave the following information with them:
- Name, address, and phone number of the people for whom you are sitting.
- Time you will be brought home or need your parent, guardian, or other family member to pick you up from the sitting job.
- Arrange your own transportation to get to the location and to return home. If a family member is not picking you up, call home to let someone know that you are on your way.
- Never accept rides from people who have been drinking alcohol or using drugs.
- Consider creating an agreed-on code word with your family so that if you say, for example, “giggles,” they know to come get you right away.
- Be sure you have an escort home. This should be either a parent, guardian, or family member. Never go home alone from a night job.
- Learn how to use the electronic security system if the home has one.
- Let the parents or guardians for whom you are sitting know if you have a curfew. Ask them to call if they are running late.
- Call the child’s parents or guardians about a problem such as the following:
- If a child has been crying for longer than 20 minutes and you can’t figure out what’s wrong.
- If a child develops a fever, vomits, or is injured (more than a superficial scrape).
- Anytime a situation develops that you feel you can’t handle without help.
- Have a backup plan if you are unable to reach the child’s parent. You should also call your own parents or guardians for advice and assistance if something arises.
Last Updated 6/18/2015
Source BLAST! Babysitters Student Manual: Babysitter Lessons and Safety Training, 3rd Edition (Copyright © 2015 Jones ＆ Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
