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Babysitting is not an Amateur Sport Training Programs available
by Elizabeth Eidlitz
May 16, 2008 — For young
teens and ‘tweens who’ve outgrown selling parent-subsidized
lemonade from front lawn stands, babysitting can
In supermarkets and other free public spaces, eager, though inexperienced entrepreneurs, post carefully scripted notices like this one:
“Hi, my name is Tabitha. I live in Framingham. I am a 12-year-old female. I prefer to babysit for kids ages 1-4, any gender. I only charge $3.00 per hour, $.50 for every extra child, and $.45 for extra chores/ activity. I can sit for two children at a time. I did not take a course, but I've baby sat for my aunt’s 3 –month- old baby and have understood the responsibility of babysitting. I've also watched my younger brother for several hours often. I have a 4.0 GPA and I'm very trustworthy and responsible !!!!!"
Parents of an 18-month-old boy who live two blocks away hire Tabitha. They leave for dinner in Boston, expecting to return in four hours and will take Tabitha home. They give her their cell phone number and permission to have her best friend with her to do homework together.
Soon after the parents leave, the child begins to cry. Tabitha carries the child to the couch where she and her best friend, sitting at opposite ends, play catch with the baby, tossing him back and forth across the length of a sofa cushion, while all three giggle in delight.
The boy is asleep when the parents return. The babysitter and her classmate are finishing an algebra assignment. The pleased parents feel lucky to have found Tabitha.
Tabitha has no idea how lucky she is. Her well-intentioned game with a human ball could have ended in disaster.
Was Tabitha, counter to her advertised claims, stupid and irresponsible?
No. Simply limited by 12-year-old judgment.
Experience may be the best teacher, but many lessons don’t have to be learned the hard way.
A variety of training programs, usually priced from $25-$65, can prepare kids in the MetroWest area to begin babysitting or help them become more competent. Many are described at Eidlitz / babysitting
Childcare & Babysitting Safety (CABS) is a community education program for ages 11 and up that covers child safety and basic care techniques. CABS was developed with a number of other national organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Many communities offer 4-H Babysitting classes usually in cooperation with their local university’s extension program. In-person courses of Kidproof Babysitter’s Training Program are currently available only in Canada, but the organization offers a home study version for 11 to 15 year-olds. Every student is assigned a personal instructor who can be contacted by email to answer questions, give advice, and mark assignments.
Babysitter Lessons and Safety Training (BLAST!) also a home study program for ages 11 to 15, is available as a self-study program on CD-ROM. Babysitter’s Certificate Online Class for girls ages 11-17 is popular with Girl Scouts.
One of the largest and best-known courses, designed for 6th-9th grade students, ages 11-15, is offered by the American Red Cross. The 6-hour interactive Babysitter's Training class where participants learn by doing, includes how to Interview for a babysitting job; choose safe and age-appropriate toys and games; carry out basic care such as feeding, changing, and holding; perform basic first aid. Some Red Cross chapters offer more extensive 10-hour training that includes certification in infant and child CPR. The fee includes a copy of The Babysitter’s Handbook and a certificate for successful participants. For more information, visit the American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training website or contact Program & Events Manager Heather Baylis (781) 642-7000 ext. 5546) who says ‘babysitters really need the hands-on training and CPR for emergencies.” |
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