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THE BABYSITTER'S HANDBOOK
An informative book packed with practical tips for babysitters. Girls will learn how to entertain infants, calm kids, feed finicky eaters, please parents, and build up a business. Special extras include tips from girls who know the business and helpful inserts such as emergency instructions, business cards, and client lists.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 16, 2014
I love this book. I remember reading this when I was little and soaking up every word so that I could be the best babysitter ever. One time I even brought it to a house I was tending children for. This book helped me when I was younger and I still own it and look through it from time to time. It is so interesting that this author has their own personal way of dealing with situations, and that I thought it was the only way to do things at the time. Good memories from this help book.
February 3, 2015
The babysitter's handbook was perfect for young girls. There were so many helpful and accurate tips given out. In the back they even had business cards to give out. They also had family profile cards to help remember about the families. I think that any young child can benefit from this babysitting book.
November 21, 2018
It really really nurtured me into babysitting, and my future career into it.
June 17, 2017
I really like it, and it is like a babysitter handbook.👍🏼 you learn a lot of stuff!😀
June 3, 2018
This book has all of the qualities I look for in a book.
1. Babies
2. Educational value
3. Humor
4. A new interest
5. Pretty pictures
1. Babies
2. Educational value
3. Humor
4. A new interest
5. Pretty pictures
October 24, 2022
Useful book teaching how to start babysitting and good practices when you do babysit. Wish I had this guide when I was younger.
November 28, 2022
Very educational
July 3, 2023
This book has charming illustrations and is filled with practical, no-nonsense advice for babysitting children of different ages. The edition that I own came packed with bonus materials, such as themed paper for making businesses cards, and the whole set is really cute.
The guide is well-organized, going through different developmental stages and common issues that babysitters will face. The book also briefly addresses some ethical questions, such as what you're allowed to independently eat or watch in the family's home, and covers a few emergency preparedness situations. The book clearly conveys that it isn't a suitable replacement for a babysitting certification, but is definitely a handy guide.
Just reading about the emergency situations made my heart race, confirming why I never offered my babysitting services as a tween and teenager. (I took care of my siblings, and I provided childcare for church functions, but the only time I was solely responsible for children other than my siblings was during college, with a family I really liked from church.) This book can help girls prepare for babysitting, and can also help weed out those who think that this sounds terrifying, or like way too much work.
I have only two critiques. One is that the author never mentioned talking with the children's parents to establish consistent screen time limits. She encourages bringing favorite DVDs from home, which is a good idea, but she should have told her readers to talk with the parents in advance about what's allowed, and for how long, especially with older kids who may want to bend the usual rules while their parents are away.
Also, the section about helping children go to the bathroom needed to explicitly state that it is never okay to directly touch a child's private parts. It's an uncomfortable subject, and preteen girls aren't a likely demographic to molest children, but it still needs to be said, especially since there's always the risk that a girl will touch a child "down there" while handling bathroom issues without realizing she can't. The author should warn against this, even if if it's just to protect naive and innocent girls from doing something they'll feel terrible about later, once they understand more.
The guide is well-organized, going through different developmental stages and common issues that babysitters will face. The book also briefly addresses some ethical questions, such as what you're allowed to independently eat or watch in the family's home, and covers a few emergency preparedness situations. The book clearly conveys that it isn't a suitable replacement for a babysitting certification, but is definitely a handy guide.
Just reading about the emergency situations made my heart race, confirming why I never offered my babysitting services as a tween and teenager. (I took care of my siblings, and I provided childcare for church functions, but the only time I was solely responsible for children other than my siblings was during college, with a family I really liked from church.) This book can help girls prepare for babysitting, and can also help weed out those who think that this sounds terrifying, or like way too much work.
I have only two critiques. One is that the author never mentioned talking with the children's parents to establish consistent screen time limits. She encourages bringing favorite DVDs from home, which is a good idea, but she should have told her readers to talk with the parents in advance about what's allowed, and for how long, especially with older kids who may want to bend the usual rules while their parents are away.
Also, the section about helping children go to the bathroom needed to explicitly state that it is never okay to directly touch a child's private parts. It's an uncomfortable subject, and preteen girls aren't a likely demographic to molest children, but it still needs to be said, especially since there's always the risk that a girl will touch a child "down there" while handling bathroom issues without realizing she can't. The author should warn against this, even if if it's just to protect naive and innocent girls from doing something they'll feel terrible about later, once they understand more.
October 20, 2020
It got me started...it left me hanging
Lets go with that
Lets go with that
February 20, 2010
Obviously this book wasn't for enjoyment. But I still enjoyed it. Sorta. I do recommend it to new starting babysitters such as myself. But there are some things in this book I just don't agree with. Nonetheless I still liked it.
February 21, 2014
Adorable, very cute book with advice about how to be a good babysitter. I thought it was pretty interesting an I got a couple of good ideas from it to use in the future. Some of the advice however was a little weird.
October 14, 2014
Such a cute book. Being a person who has babysat, I wish I had this book in advance. It was a great book I loved the Do's and Don'ts and I thought it was hilarious that the charging rate was $2-$5? That's crazy I would never babysit for that amount. Very educational.
May 7, 2008
It helps to have this book while babysitting or to read it before you go babysitting.
March 6, 2009
This isn't the exact one i saw in my local library i think they have diffrent covers but i loved it !
June 9, 2009
Grate book
September 27, 2009
This is the best book! It tells you everything about babysitting and kids and everything! It is a wonderful book for babysitters and babysitters-in-waiting. :)
July 26, 2010
This book helped me........alot! My little sisters and I play the games it contains and i will use this book in my babysitting future!
August 13, 2012
I liked this book except for the fact Im only babysitting my cousins haha! ;)
April 5, 2016
This book is really good for older children to learn how to babysit. I enjoyed this book.
January 21, 2017
It helps you understand how to take care of those who are littler than you.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews