I baby-sat a 12 year old girl tonight and we did so little it was painful. We literally wached the Disney channel for 4 and a half hours. I don't want to be the crappy baby-sitter, so does anyone have any suggestions for activities we could do? Also, I think she is shy because she doesn't really like to talk. It makes things rather awkward, but I don't know what to do and I don't want to force conversation on her. Any advice here?
Ask her if she likes sports. Its always good fun playing soccer or something with kids. Or at least card games like uno or something. I babysit all the time, and i agree, it sucks big time to do nothing but watch tv. Or you can bake a cake together or something, thats always fun.
i babysat a kindergartner and a first grader for a couple of months. The first couple of days was just them sitting down and watching tv. I would start conversations of what they were watching but it would get awkwardly quiet. But i started bringing out different stuff until finally they stayed with the drawing paper and it was fun making different things out of it. Which was a relief cause it was too quiet, boring, and it made time seem like an eternity. Guess its a matter of playing around to see what shes into. Which i doubt its what the kids were into lol. But just keep looking for it. She'll eventually like something and the boredom will disappear.
At 12 I'm afraid I WAS babysitting. Things I would do to keep kids entertained were: * bringing over different sorts of projects to work on together - one summer year a kid & I built a treehouse in his backyard (with his parents' permission) and with another regular family the kids & I worked on a quilt to give to their parents for Christmas * going on long, extended bike rides together * reading together - kids of any age like to be read to * and baking... a lot of the kids I babysat were in families where both parents worked. ALL the kids LOVED being able to help bake in the kitchen - and the parents loved that they were learning to cook in a safe environment Good luck! love, mom
walks around the neighborhood are always good, art projects, but I think the most important thing, with a kid, or anyone really, is just listening to them. Try asking her about the other kids at school, boys, all that stuff. Most kids are so used to being ignored or told to be quiet. Someone who will sit and really listen to them and make them feel like they're being treated like a person and not just "some kid" is the greatest thing ever.
I make hemp jewelry, so when I babysit kids who are old enough, I walk them through making their own bracelet, and leave some cord and beads for them to mess with after I'm gone, if they like. another crowd favorite is writing / acting in a little play. but that'd be hard if she's an only child. I also make cards (as in birthday, greeting, thank you, etc.) and while the hemp bracelets are usually more popular, a few kids have gotten into making cards with me. manicures/pedicures usually go over well too :] good luck, and know that you're not 'the crappy babysitter' -- because you care. that's the first, and rarest part :/
A previous poster said hemp jewelry, which is great, but lanyard and beads are good too--they love the bright colors, and it's easier on little fingers.....I'm always a fan of art projects, even simple ones. Collages are good, because you can use free stuff--old magazines, objects from nature (leaves, pebbles, etc)...pretty much anything you can find. Good luck. peace.
I've been babysitting for Jack, my boyfriend's son this week. He's almost 3 and sometimes I feel bad that I let him watch too much tv. We sometimes go to the playground or at least run around in the backyard, but most of the time we're inside. I like reading to him and I got a book, to teach him Spanish, but he's not always in the mood for those things. Sometimes I play with him and his trains, his cars or his elmos and start having silly conversations with him, but we need more activities. I'll try drawing with him today. He seems to like that. Im thinking of getting some puzzles too. Any other ideas for things to do with younger kids are welcome
Me and this seven year old kid went on a 7 mile bike ride today. Lots of fun. And he painted my nails (his idea). lol. And athough its not a good thing to do, its always fun prank calling people. Kids love that.
At first I read, me and MY seven year old.Then I saw your age and got worried. It was a relief when I read your post again.Good job babysitting
