Going out for the evening is a fun time – or it
should be. However, for many parents (especially new
parents) the experience is fraught with guilt, worry
and anxiety.
In order to appreciate how they are feeling, try and
view it from their point of view for a moment. Let’s
take new parents as an example.
For the past few months, these people have devoted
themselves to this new infant suddenly living in their
home. Before junior’s arrival, going out was
a breeze. They would just go - wherever and whenever
they pleased. She would just grab her purse and they
were out of that door.
A few months down the line, they are totally enchanted
with the baby but their world has shrunk to catering
for its’ every whim. They’re probably punchy
with sleep depravation and can’t remember the
last time they even made it through a TV movie without
falling asleep. Going out with the baby has to be planned
like a military operation. Checklist: diapers, bottles,
blanket, changing mat, wipes…Mom is exhausted
before she leaves the house!
As the weeks go by, they realize that they really
need some quality time alone together – but that
involves leaving their precious child. It becomes a
huge and difficult decision. They need those few hours
away to recharge their batteries and to re-connect
with each other…but what if? What if the house
burns down, or the baby gets sick, or the babysitter
turns out to be more ‘Psycho’ than ‘Mary
Poppins’?
How you can make a difference
New parents are always going to worry the first time
they go out and leave their child. But there is a lot
that you can do, as a babysitter, to lessen that worry
and to encourage them to be brave enough to try it
again.
Looking and sounding professional will begin to win
their trust. Behaving in a respectful manner in their
home will help to build their confidence in you. Asking
them all the right questions (baby’s routine,
their contact info etc) will build on that confidence.
These may seem like small details but if you add them
all together they present a picture of someone who
is dependable and capable of keeping their child safe.
If the parents still seem shaky about the prospect
of a night out, try suggesting a ‘trial run’.
This could be a daytime event. It’s widely recognized
that everything feels ‘safer’ and more
manageable during the day.
Encourage them to take just a couple hours away from
the home, maybe a visit to a Coffee Shop. If it means
that you spend some of your Saturday doing this – just
think of the rewards it may reap. It may well lead
to you getting a regular, enjoyable, paid job.
Building on your foundations
Once you land the job – do it to the best of
your ability. Always be well groomed and sensibly dressed.
Always be polite and respectful. Always leave the home
as you found it. And always remember that for those
few hours, the kids are your priority.
If the kids are safe and happy, the parents will be
too. Just remember that they come as a package. You
may have entertained the kids extremely well but if
Mom and Dad return to find the house like a bomb site – you
may not get asked back.
If all of this sounds a little excessive, just bear
in mind that however well you get on with the kids,
it is the parents who will decide whether to employ
you or not. So it literally does pay to keep them happy!
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