Q&A for How to Create a Babysitting Bag

That's definitely a good idea. Don't assume that the babysitting family will provide snacks or a meal for you while you're over. If they do offer you food, be sure to thank them!

Bring a book or activity along with you to pass the time, especially if you plan on putting the kids to bed or down for a nap.

Bring a book, toy, board game, or fun activity that you can share with the kids while you're there.

It may be a good idea to bring this up to them. Make a list of the things that concern you that you would like more direction from them on. Ask them about some of their preferences when it comes to mealtimes, television, bedtimes, outdoor activities or any other areas of concern.

Bring a hairbrush, Chapstick, or anything else you tend to use frequently. If you're staying until after the kids fall asleep, you might also want to bring something to entertain yourself like a book, magazine, etc.

Read a bedtime story or sing them a song, if nothing else works, make a fort and say the child can sleep in there for the night. Some kids will feel better if you tell them you will check on them in 10 minutes. If the kid is afraid of the dark, leave a nightlight on or turn a light on in the hall and leave their door open.

It's really up to the family you babysit. Being CPR-certified will reassure families, and may get you more job opportunities.

It will help you keep track of emergency contact information or information about allergies, bedtimes, etc. for each family you babysit. You can also use it to store paper for the kids to color.

Then ask if they have a home phone and make sure you have permission to use it.

Probably a backpack because you can carry more items inside.

If you feel like you are in danger, lock the doors and windows. Keep a phone with you at all times. If you don't feel comfortable at someone else's house, maybe babysitting isn't for you.

The box is so you can put small stuffed animals and other small toys in, and the accordion folder is so you can arrange and keep track of important papers.

You can still play with them. You might have to watch them a little closer than other kids.

Consider getting CPR certified and take a babysitting class. Also, do a trial as a mommy's helper so the parents can get to know you, and the kids can start to like you.

If you and the child's parents feel comfortable with it, and you are CPR certified or have taken some sort of class, it would probably be okay. Just remember that you are in charge of someone's life and it is a huge responsibility. Having a phone is a good idea, but only use it for emergencies.

It depends on how old you are and how much the cost of living in your community is. For 13-15, $8 per hour is a good price. For 16 and up $10-12 is a reasonable price per hour.

Call them and see if they (or someone else who lives there) can return and let you in to get your bag. If it's not possible, you'll just have to make due with the supplies you have on hand.

Red Cross usually has in-person classes. They also offer an online course that you can take. It is also beneficial to become first aid/ CPR certified.

This is entirely up to you. Ask the parents what their kids like to play with, or ask the kids themselves. Look around at the toys they already have and get inspiration from that. As to money, well, spend as much as you like, but if you're babysitting to earn money, calculate how many hours you will have to sit to earn back the toys. On the other hand, if a toy makes those hours a lot more pleasant, that's also worth it.

You can try to distract them with a toy or anything else you have handy. I like to ask the kids to show me their room or their pets if they have any.

Ask if you can borrow your parent's phone for the night. If you babysit a lot, get your parents to buy you a cheap phone that can call.

Yes, twelve is a good start for babysitting, especially if you have CPR and the babysitting course.

Don't worry about it! Just grab an old pillowcase or two and play superheroes when you get there. If you have any old toys that you don't mind sharing, you can bring them over with you as well.

I wouldn't suggest you do that, because strangers can use your information on the flyer for non-babysitting purposes. Instead, talk to people you actually know, so that you have control over who your clients are.

You can look on YouTube, or ask a person who does know CPR to teach you.

The parents decide that. Ask the parents.

Get to know them before assembling your bag. Make a list of age-appropriate ice-breaker games to play for your first time with them, then use your interactions to better plan for the next time you babysit.

Just relax and do what they like. Make each kid feel special. Ask the parents before they leave if there are any special rules you need to know about. If kids aren’t behaving, give them a time out for a few minutes, and if they still don’t listen, tell them you will call their parents. Most likely you won't have to do this. Don't stress about it, it's usually a fun experience and a great way to make a little money.

Yes, but it always makes kids happy to have new things to play with instead of the usual things they play with.

Make sure you do things that will make each kid happy, like playing barbies with the girl and gaming with the boy. It just depends on how old the kids are.