Babysitting - Out of my Depth

KeyScourge

Short and simple thing.

In a few days time I'm being left to babysitting my mate's 5-year-old daughter. Now I love this kid like my own, but when it comes to looking after kids I am without a clue.

Her mum (my mate) has told me the basic stuff so the little tyke avoids braining herself and having to go to hospital, and stuff like that, but one thing I still dunno.

How do you keep kids entertained nowadays? The only way I know to keep this kid entertained is to sing Duran Duran songs (she loves them for some reason) and teaching her to pick pockets and turn tricks, but I don't think her mum will appreciate her daughter knowing that.

So what do I do to keep this kid entertained for most the day?

urahonky

TV, zoos, movies, music, etc.

There's a lot to do with a kid. She likes Duran Duran so maybe get the CD and color or something?

Malkor

Board games, reading (to her and to you if she can), appropriate video games, cooking, a little TV and movies, doing stuff outside, lunch or dinner at a restaurant, and so on and so forth.

Just think of fun things that are easy to do.

Chanus

Ask her mum what she likes to do, or even better, ask the kid (obviously, use your judgment on the latter... if she says "jump off the roof with an umbrella!", I wouldn't suggest doing that one).

EggyToast

At 5, she can speak and has her own opinion on things. In general, if the kid is bored, you should say "What do you want to do?" and in most cases the kid will suggest things. If you want to do something, then you suggest it -- "how do you feel about going to the park?" or "do you want to go outside and play?"

Don't treat them like a baby; they're just a little person at that age, and while you won't be able to have deep conversations, if you talk to them like they're just another person (perhaps with a few more "why" questions), it's typically more entertaining for the kid and you don't feel like you're being a tool ;D

And Malkor, your suggestions sound more like first date ideas ;D

Stevie2Sxc

KeyScourge wrote: »

Short and simple thing.

In a few days time I'm being left to babysitting my mate's 5-year-old daughter. Now I love this kid like my own, but when it comes to looking after kids I am without a clue.

Her mum (my mate) has told me the basic stuff so the little tyke avoids braining herself and having to go to hospital, and stuff like that, but one thing I still dunno.

How do you keep kids entertained nowadays? The only way I know to keep this kid entertained is to sing Duran Duran songs (she loves them for some reason) and teaching her to pick pockets and turn tricks, but I don't think her mum will appreciate her daughter knowing that.

So what do I do to keep this kid entertained for most the day?

Yeah you'd better not do that.

And just ask her what she'd like to do. But, like previously said, filter out of those stupid suggestions that only kids can up with

EDIT: doesn't 'turning tricks' mean, like, being a hooker? or do you use a different meaning for it? (i hope you use a different meaning)

Shawnasee

A 5 year old, thats comfortable with you, will tell you exactly what she wants to do. Especially if you are doing something she doesn't want to do.

-coloring
-reading her stories
-favorite movie (and she has one, belee dat)
-board games

it's just the one kid? Other kids are really good for entertaining other kids.
Take her to the park but for gawd sakes, KEEP YOUR EYES ON HER...don't be the poor guy who was chatting up cute birds in the park while the child wanders into the street.

RocketSauce

Most kids that age want to go to the park and play on the playground, play with toys, or follow you around wherever you go. Take her with you to go do some errands and let her push the shopping cart, or hand the person the money, or let her order what you guys are having for lunch.

Petting zoos are great places for that age, as is just going to a busy park where a bunch of other kids are playing. As other people have said, break out the board games, and practice playing with cars and dolls again. Kids like to play, but even moreso when they have an adult who is engaged in the activity as well.

The great thing about kids that age are that they respond so well to your enthusiasm that as long as you make it exciting they will most likely be entertained.

KeyScourge

Stevie2Sxc wrote: »

doesn't 'turning tricks' mean, like, being a hooker? or do you use a different meaning for it? (i hope you use a different meaning)

I use a different meaning. To me, turning tricks means running cons and scamming people.

Chanus

KeyScourge wrote: »

Stevie2Sxc wrote: »

doesn't 'turning tricks' mean, like, being a hooker? or do you use a different meaning for it? (i hope you use a different meaning)

I use a different meaning. To me, turning tricks means running cons and scamming people.

Yeah... that's a different meaning.

Mike Danger

EggyToast wrote: »

At 5, she can speak and has her own opinion on things. In general, if the kid is bored, you should say "What do you want to do?" and in most cases the kid will suggest things. If you want to do something, then you suggest it -- "how do you feel about going to the park?" or "do you want to go outside and play?"

Don't treat them like a baby; they're just a little person at that age, and while you won't be able to have deep conversations, if you talk to them like they're just another person (perhaps with a few more "why" questions), it's typically more entertaining for the kid and you don't feel like you're being a tool ;D

And Malkor, your suggestions sound more like first date ideas ;D

In my experience, this is the secret to going from "I am okay with little kids" to "I am awesome with little kids".

Chanus

Mike Danger wrote: »

EggyToast wrote: »

Don't treat them like a baby; they're just a little person at that age, and while you won't be able to have deep conversations, if you talk to them like they're just another person (perhaps with a few more "why" questions), it's typically more entertaining for the kid and you don't feel like you're being a tool ;D

In my experience, this is the secret to going from "I am okay with little kids" to "I am awesome with little kids".

I believe it's also psychologically and developmentally more healthy for the child to be treated as an adult (conversationally).

Jacobkosh

One possible activity is cooking. You could make something relatively simple for dinner and let her help in a few small ways.

Malkor

As to the first date thing firstly :winky:, and also you're basically doing that except without romantic connotations. Little kids love feeling special, and nothing is more special than spending the day with someone close to you.

Esh

KeyScourge wrote: »

Stevie2Sxc wrote: »

doesn't 'turning tricks' mean, like, being a hooker? or do you use a different meaning for it? (i hope you use a different meaning)

I use a different meaning. To me, turning tricks means running cons and scamming people.

You might want to rethink your use of that phrase, because to 99.9% of the rest of the world it means "being a hooker".

Improvolone

The word of the day is "Play".
In any and every way shape or form. Make funny faces, make funny noises, be ridiculous.
Unless she doesn't like it, then change tactics immediatly.

LewieP's Mummy

bake - biscuits/cookies, paint, draw, go to the park, don't turn any tricks, you'll be done for child abuse!

FishMist

Bring Playdough!

Aridhol

I will 3rd the kids love to cook idea. My nephew (8 years old) and I made an awesome chicken soup and I let him do most of the prep (chopping,cleaning etc..) and with some supervision he was great. A lot of people treat little kids like idiots but having a normal activity/conversation with them is not only healthy but an eye opener!

Kistra

I will fourth the making food idea.

But there is a big difference in dexterity and hand strenth between 5 and 8. I wouldn't let a 5 year old do a lot of (much?) knife work. Baking tends to involve a lot less working with knives so it might be a better choice for a 5 year old.

My nephew loves to make homemade pizza when I am babysitting. Make the dough with her and have some pre-sliced toppings.

tallgeeze

Key, do you have a dog? You could spend a good chunk of time at a dog park. It will be a good opprotunity to teach kids about pet care. In my experience little kids around 5 are scared shitless of dogs or they wanna start a UFC match with them.

Chanus

Kistra wrote: »

I will fourth the making food idea.

But there is a big difference in dexterity and hand strenth between 5 and 8. I wouldn't let a 5 year old do a lot of (much?) knife work. Baking tends to involve a lot less working with knives so it might be a better choice for a 5 year old.

My nephew loves to make homemade pizza when I am babysitting. Make the dough with her and have some pre-sliced toppings.

If you do something that involves chopping, you could always have them mix the ingredients in a bowl or something else to make them feel like they are participating.