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Babysitting hints and tips... PLEASE?!

Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
edited March 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
Ok, so... This weekend, the lovely Urbanhippie (my gal Sarah) is going to her first 'PJ meet' in London for the Neil Young/drinkies meet up thang as a kinda birthday celebration type whatsit...

Now, it's normally me who goes to these fabulous events to see my nearest and dearest in the Jamily... However, Sarah has 4 children and really wanted to go this time so, being the best friend that I am, I'm babysitting her 4 children aged between 14 and 3.

OH. MY. GOD.

I have never babysat her kids before and as much as they've grown up with me as their Auntie for the past nearly 8 years, i'm f**king bricking it! I'm taking over the parental duties at approximately 7am on Saturday morning and handing them back over again at about 11am Sunday. I will have 'help' (should that be hinderance? :p) in the shape of my boyfriend... that's if he doesn't decide after an hour with the groin spawn that he's left the gas on or has a dental appointment... what, in the name of Stone Gossard, am I supposed to do?!

*blind panic sets in*

ok, ok... i'm gonna calm down...

Anyone got any hints or tips for a 24 year old non-maternal type?!
Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • BibbsBibbs Posts: 229
    let the 14 year old take care of the 3 year old and let the other 2 glue stuff to other stuff. :)
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  • pjfan31pjfan31 Posts: 7,334
    Sian-of-the-dead wrote:
    what, in the name of Stone Gossard, am I supposed to do?!


    That was funny. I work with kids for a few years now, and studying primary teaching (only just started but hey)

    Have heaps of fun with them, play games, enjoy it, kids are cool and funny. But let them know who the boss is. Be stern, don't let them walk over you. give them an inch, they will take a mile.

    Also if they are mucking around do the count, count up not backwards(3,2,1), so go 1,2,3 if they don't do anything then keep counting, but make your voice angrier as you get higher, but in saying that dont go past 10 or so.

    Also I gennerally give 2 warnings for things, and let them know what will happen if they fuck around a 3rd time. Genearally it will be like call the principle or their parents. Most of the time I don't, but it scares the shit out of them.

    But have fun, don't be afraid to reward good behaviour.

    Good luck
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  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    pjfan31 wrote:
    That was funny. I work with kids for a few years now, and studying primary teaching (only just started but hey)

    Have heaps of fun with them, play games, enjoy it, kids are cool and funny. But let them know who the boss is. Be stern, don't let them walk over you. give them an inch, they will take a mile.

    Also if they are mucking around do the count, count up not backwards(3,2,1), so go 1,2,3 if they don't do anything then keep counting, but make your voice angrier as you get higher, but in saying that dont go past 10 or so.

    Also I gennerally give 2 warnings for things, and let them know what will happen if they fuck around a 3rd time. Genearally it will be like call the principle or their parents. Most of the time I don't, but it scares the shit out of them.

    But have fun, don't be afraid to reward good behaviour.

    Good luck

    so wrapping them in gaffer tape, putting rolled up socks in their mouths, only feeding them fish heads and water and leaving them in the cupboard under the stairs is out of the question?

    so it's... reward good behaviour, shout numbers at them, call the parents and scare the shit out of them? Right, noted. ;)

    Seriously though, thanks for the advice :)
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • pjfan31pjfan31 Posts: 7,334
    not a problem, just sharing the love :D. Nothing worse then out of conrtol kids on the rampage.
    Sydney 11/02/2003
    Sydney 14/02/2003
    Sydney 07/11/2006
    Sydney 18/11/2006
    Sydney 22/11/2009
    EV Sydney 18/03/2011
    EV Sydney 19/03/2011
    EV Sydney 20/03/2011
    Melbourne 24/01/2014
    Sydney 26/01/2014
    EV Sydney 13/02/2014
  • HinnyHinny Posts: 1,610
    Sian-of-the-dead wrote:
    so it's... reward good behaviour, shout numbers at them, call the parents and scare the shit out of them? Right, noted. ;)
    I've always wondered what's going on inside the heads of those American football players when they out random numbers... turns out the shouter just sees the others as a bunch of rowdy kids ;)
    Binary solo..000000100000111100001110
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    um... definately have something planned for the day if your gonna have them that long

    movies, go to the park.. find some fun free family outing stuff 2 do...

    but really have a plan for them.. makes the day go by quicker and keeps them occupied
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    KosmicJelli wrote:
    um... definately have something planned for the day if your gonna have them that long

    movies, go to the park.. find some fun free family outing stuff 2 do...

    but really have a plan for them.. makes the day go by quicker and keeps them occupied

    see, I was planning on taking them to the woods and getting them to collect leaves and bugs... they can glue to leaves to paper and stuff and draw/study the bugs... good idea?!

    oh and we're making pizza's for lunch :D
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    Hinny wrote:
    I've always wondered what's going on inside the heads of those American football players when they out random numbers... turns out the shouter just sees the others as a bunch of rowdy kids ;)

    Helpful Hinn... REAL helpful... :rolleyes:

    ;)
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    Sian-of-the-dead wrote:
    see, I was planning on taking them to the woods and getting them to collect leaves and bugs... they can glue to leaves to paper and stuff and draw/study the bugs... good idea?!

    oh and we're making pizza's for lunch :D

    nature hike good... pizza for lunch better... you will be fine!
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    all the fresh air make them tired too!!!
  • HinnyHinny Posts: 1,610
    I can't recall ever being babysat, but...

    I'm picturing being in the UK Midlands, aged 8. What the hell do I wanna do...

    I'd wanna kick a ball around the park, come back and sit in front of the teev for hours of the Prem League, go out for another kick around, and eat ice cream for tea.

    The more sport you get them to do:
    a) the healthier the kids will be
    b) the more tired they'll be, so they'll all have naps while you have the boyfriend over and make out and shit, as all 24 year old non-maternal type babysitters ought to do
    c) the more they'll hate on the fucking divers in the comp as you teach them about the evils of diving, and they'll come to appreciate good sportsmanship
    d) the more they'll pay attention to you at night, when they're too buggered to play up and muck up the joint.
    Binary solo..000000100000111100001110
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    KosmicJelli wrote:
    all the fresh air make them tired too!!!

    *crosses fingers*

    planning for the two younger ones to be knackered and in bed by 7/half past so that the two older one's can bring the Nintendo Wii downstairs. Then they can play stupid games without the risk of a 3 year old and 5 year old pulling wires and throwing tantrums... Then it's bed for the older two by 10pm... Swiftly followed by peace and quiet... hopefully
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    Hinny wrote:
    I can't recall ever being babysat, but...

    I'm picturing being in the UK Midlands, aged 8. What the hell do I wanna do...

    I'd wanna kick a ball around the park, come back and sit in front of the teev for hours of the Prem League, go out for another kick around, and eat ice cream for tea.

    The more sport you get them to do:
    a) the healthier the kids will be
    b) the more tired they'll be, so they'll all have naps while you have the boyfriend over and make out and shit, as all 24 year old non-maternal type babysitters ought to do
    c) the more they'll hate on the fucking divers in the comp as you teach them about the evils of diving, and they'll come to appreciate good sportsmanship
    d) the more they'll pay attention to you at night, when they're too buggered to play up and muck up the joint.

    "make out and shit"?

    nice... :rolleyes: :p

    Yeah, I think the general consensus is to tire them out and just generally entertain them... it's just gonna be holding their short attention spans thats gonna worry me...
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    how sweet of you to babysit and let your friends be Jammers for the night...
  • HinnyHinny Posts: 1,610
    Sian-of-the-dead wrote:
    "make out and shit"?

    nice... :rolleyes: :p

    Yeah, I think the general consensus is to tire them out and just generally entertain them... it's just gonna be holding their short attention spans thats gonna worry me...
    You mentioned you're gonna get your bloke to come help out. From a non-paternal 24 year old guy, there better be some form of making out involved if I'm gonna help out babysitting 4 littluns.

    :D

    Yeah, you oughta be right once you tire them out. Just watch out for them running in 4 directions at the same time. Good luck deciding who to catch.
    Binary solo..000000100000111100001110
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    Hinny wrote:
    You mentioned you're gonna get your bloke to come help out. From a non-paternal 24 year old guy, there better be some form of making out involved if I'm gonna help out babysitting 4 littluns.

    :D

    Yeah, you oughta be right once you tire them out. Just watch out for them running in 4 directions at the same time. Good luck deciding who to catch.

    haha! He's doing it out of the kindness of his heart, I swear! :p

    Thanks Hinn :D
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    was thinking what you could do for all four of them together to keep their interest...

    maybe take their pics and have them make a frame with found objects for their moms b-day gift...
  • zenithzenith Posts: 3,191
    my nearly 14yrs old has sat my friends 2 yr old a couple of times - he says he just lets her play hide & seek till she gets tired, puts her to bed and reads her a book - (which is really just reading the same line over and over and over :) ) untill the dummy falls out of her mouth and she goes to sleep. If he can cope with that, you'll breeze thru

    they'll be ok - tire them out, put a movie on - they'll be in dreamland by the time the credits hit the screen

    except perhaps the oldest one - you could take this opportunity to educate them in the ways of the true pearl jam fan ;)
    impatience is a gift ........
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    KosmicJelli wrote:
    was thinking what you could do for all four of them together to keep their interest...

    maybe take their pics and have them make a frame with found objects for their moms b-day gift...

    do you work with children?! you should if not :D

    Thats a good idea... Thats why I'm doing the nature walk, the little ones will be interested and the older two can run around like idiots!
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    lol..
    well I used too volunteer my time with kids, scouts, room mom... blah blah blah... oh.. Im a mom of 3 older kids.. forgot that
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    zenith wrote:
    my nearly 14yrs old has sat my friends 2 yr old a couple of times - he says he just lets her play hide & seek till she gets tired, puts her to bed and reads her a book - (which is really just reading the same line over and over and over :) ) untill the dummy falls out of her mouth and she goes to sleep. If he can cope with that, you'll breeze thru

    they'll be ok - tire them out, put a movie on - they'll be in dreamland by the time the credits hit the screen

    except perhaps the oldest one - you could take this opportunity to educate them in the ways of the true pearl jam fan ;)

    I think the older two will be the easiest to be fair, they're great kids and really helpful and understanding... plus i'm bribing them with an ice hockey game if they behave ;)
    oh the older one's already educated, comes from a PJ lovin household see... even said to me the other day "Sian, why didn't anyone tell me just how good Pearl Jam are?!" I was so proud :)

    I love being an Auntie :D
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    Sian... I've plenty of babysitting experience, worked in a creche and a kids club... am really really good with kids... they love me (pity it's not mutual :D ) so my BEST piece of advice is, and this is gold, kids are EASILY bribed. If they start acting up... tell them mommy's going to bring a pony back from London for them... but only if they stop crying and go to bed now and you don't hear a peep from them for the rest of the night. I'm telling ya... you'll never see such happy kids :) works EVERY time. Supernanny has nothing on me :)
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    oh... forgot my kids never complained about the duct tape and the closet
  • zenithzenith Posts: 3,191
    Sian-of-the-dead wrote:
    I think the older two will be the easiest to be fair, they're great kids and really helpful and understanding... plus i'm bribing them with an ice hockey game if they behave ;)
    oh the older one's already educated, comes from a PJ lovin household see... even said to me the other day "Sian, why didn't anyone tell me just how good Pearl Jam are?!" I was so proud :)

    I love being an Auntie :D

    ive posted this before im sure

    but my oldest now says in the car - 'mum do we have to listen to pearl jam again????'

    my youngest has decided he will one day jam live with Mr. McCready and saw them for the first time live in 06

    ...

    he's doomed, obviously
    impatience is a gift ........
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    Sian... I've plenty of babysitting experience, worked in a creche and a kids club... am really really good with kids... they love me (pity it's not mutual :D ) so my BEST piece of advice is, and this is gold, kids are EASILY bribed. If they start acting up... tell them mommy's going to bring a pony back from London for them... but only if they stop crying and go to bed now and you don't hear a peep from them for the rest of the night. I'm telling ya... you'll never see such happy kids :) works EVERY time. Supernanny has nothing on me :)
    Oh and if they're REALLY bad... tell them if they shut up NOW, mommy'll bring them to disneyland :)
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    Sian... I've plenty of babysitting experience, worked in a creche and a kids club... am really really good with kids... they love me (pity it's not mutual :D ) so my BEST piece of advice is, and this is gold, kids are EASILY bribed. If they start acting up... tell them mommy's going to bring a pony back from London for them... but only if they stop crying and go to bed now and you don't hear a peep from them for the rest of the night. I'm telling ya... you'll never see such happy kids :) works EVERY time. Supernanny has nothing on me :)

    hmm so bribery and corruption involving minors isn't so bad afterall?

    well, as I say, I have the older two sorted and apparently the 5 year old will do ANYTHING for a penny so i'm gonna offer him 20 and see how well he behaves...
    I'm sure supernanny has nothing on you, my lovely. I'm sure she's never scared kids to the same level ;)
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    Oh and if they're REALLY bad... tell them if they shut up NOW, mommy'll bring them to disneyland :)

    ok then, while I'm doing that, you can explain to Sarah in London exactly what i'm promising them and how she's gotta follow it through, mmmkay? ;)
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    zenith wrote:
    my youngest has decided he will one day jam live with Mr. McCready and saw them for the first time live in 06

    That is... AWESOME!!! :D:D:D
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Sian-of-the-deadSian-of-the-dead Posts: 8,963
    KosmicJelli wrote:
    oh... forgot my kids never complained about the duct tape and the closet

    and they're well rounded individuals now, yes?
    Been to this many PJ shows: Reading 2006 London 2007 Manchester & London 2009 Dublin, Belfast, London, Nijmegen & Berlin 2010 Manchester 1 & Manchester 2 2012...

    ... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    Sian-of-the-dead wrote:
    ok then, while I'm doing that, you can explain to Sarah in London exactly what i'm promising them and how she's gotta follow it through, mmmkay? ;)
    oh no no no... you're not getting it. Once you're finished babysitting and hand them back to mommy, it's not your problem to deal with :) and it's certainly not mine :) we don't HAVE to worry about the consequences of our lies to kids... it's fantastic.
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
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