Tweens in the upper bracket of this age group are usually very excited about making money with babysitting. Make sure your tween is ready for the challenge.

Babysitting is a great part time job for your tween; however, there are many situations and circumstances that your tween needs to be prepared to handle. In addition, you will certainly want to make sure your own child is ready to care for other children before approving of a babysitting job. The following are things you will want to think about when you tween comes home wanting to earn extra money babysitting.

Safety Always Comes First

The first rule in tween babysitting is to make sure that you and your tween understand that safety is always first. That means that your tween should be knowledgeable and skilled at first aid and what to do in an emergency. Many times, this comes down to maturity. How do you think your child will react in case something happens? You might want to think about signing up your tween for a basic babysitting course, and having her become first aid and CPR certified. You also need to make sure that your tween has a list of important numbers and someone that she can call if needed.

Follow Instructions

It will be better for your tween and the child (or children) in her care if there are set rules to follow. For example, children will behave better when they know they are expected to eat dinner, take a bath and read a bedtime story before bed. Your tween needs to make sure that she follows any and all instructions that the parents leave, including adhering to special diets or bedtimes.

Have Planned Activities

Babysitting is fun and it is even better when your tween comes prepared with activities. Find out beforehand what the kids enjoy doing and take some things to do. Help your tween prepare a babysitting bag will last minute activities, storybooks and crafts that she can pull out if needed. Most kids will find the sitter exciting when they bring cool things to do to pass the time.

Leave Friends Behind

Babysitting is no time to chat with friends, surf the Internet or invite friends over. The time that your tween spends babysitting should belong only to the children in her care. Make sure that your tween understands that under no circumstances should she hang on the phone or send instant messages to friends.

Know your Tween’s Abilities

As a parent, you should know what your tween can realistically handle. Never allow your child to babysit at a home where you do not feel comfortable. Similarly, your child should understand her limits when it comes to the number of children to watch.

As a general rule, a young tween (11 years old) should probably not watch more than one or two children at a time. It is too overwhelming. The same goes for the age of the children she will be watching. You don't want her watching an infant, who requires much more care than a 3-year-old. If your tween is not skilled or comfortable with a particular age group, then she should pass on that particular job.

There should be some rules in place to help your child have a safe, fun and successful babysitting job. Be sure you are home to be ready to come help, if needed.

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