I'm Babysitting Tonight...

[Eastern Girl]

So, I'm in a bind here. I am babysitting my two little nephews tonight. My mom was supposed to be here to help me out, but she's having car issues and isn't thinking she'll get here til quite late tonight. This leaves me with the kiddies alone until then. I have never babysat alone before. Mom was always there for the hard stuff, feeding them, putting them to bed, changing diapers etc.

Anyways, I know there are lots of parents on CP, so anyone have any advice (do's and don'ts) or am I pretty much going to get eaten alive?

[icecube]

Your natural instinct to nurture wll kick in. Have some faith in yourself. You've seen how it's done and you'll be fine.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by icecube

Your natural instinct to nurture wll kick in. Have some faith in yourself. You've seen how it's done and you'll be fine.

I wish I could be as optimisitc as icecube.

Personally, I'd be running for my life right about now.

[Buff]

Not to freak you out, but they'll try to be funny (naughty is more like it) and act up. Just let them know that you are the boss. Don't be afraid to use a stern voice if they won't listen to you. At the same time, be fun. Be their best friend. Eventually they'll get tired and will fall asleep.

Don't think you'll get them to bed by their normally scheduled time? C'est la vie! Their parents should know to expect that their kids won't get the same treatment and schedule with a babysitter, even if the baby sitter is a family member.

Just go with the flow and make sure you have a good time with the kids.

[Resolute 14]

Tell them that if they run 20 laps around the block, you'll get them ice cream. after 19 laps, they will collapse and sleep the rest of the night. Best part is, since they will have failed, you won't owe them ice cream either.

[HotHotHeat]

Tell them if they poo before mommy gets home they don't get food. No diapers, no problem.

[Dion]

Don't let them see the fear in your eyes. Toddlers will take advantage of you at every opportunity. Think of it as future training for parenthood.

Best of luck!

[onetwo_threefour]

If they're old enough you can play them off against each other. Make them compete for your time and attention by behaving how you want.

Hopefully they're out of the diapers... that's definitely the worst part. As far as cooking.... pah.... babysitting night is pizza night as far as I am concerned.

[Eastern Girl]

They're pretty young. 2 1/2 yrs old and 1 year old. The oldest is being potty trained, but the other is still in diapers.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Eastern Girl

So, I'm in a bind here. I am babysitting my two little nephews tonight. My mom was supposed to be here to help me out, but she's having car issues and isn't thinking she'll get here til quite late tonight. This leaves me with the kiddies alone until then. I have never babysat alone before. Mom was always there for the hard stuff, feeding them, putting them to bed, changing diapers etc.

Anyways, I know there are lots of parents on CP, so anyone have any advice (do's and don'ts) or am I pretty much going to get eaten alive?

Were you an only child? I can remember doing this stuff when I was 13 or 14.

Not to ridicule you or anything, I think these things are just picked up as you go. Watch a movie or something.

[OILFAN #81]

Elle, put in tapes of the Sens playoff series, that'll put them right to sleep.

[Eastern Girl]

Originally Posted by peter12

Were you an only child? I can remember doing this stuff when I was 13 or 14.

Not to ridicule you or anything, I think these things are just picked up as you go. Watch a movie or something.

No, I was the youngest though. Never had to babysit, at least not by myself, as I said.

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Elle, put in tapes of the Sens playoff series, that'll put them right to sleep.

I don't hear from you in awhile, and this is what I get. Really? Disappointing Neil, disappointing... Besides, they are being groomed as Leafs fans, so I am sure watching any playoff hockey would be exciting to them. They're deprived.

[iamca]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Tell them that if they run 20 laps around the block, you'll get them ice cream. after 19 laps, they will collapse and sleep the rest of the night. Best part is, since they will have failed, you won't owe them ice cream either.

I agree with Res, that some form of physical activity with you would be a great idea, maybe not running around the block 20 times, but something to get out some energy. This will pay dividends later in the evening when they both crash hard.

Watch the sugar intake...seriously. Kids love it, but in the evening it's not helping them wind down for bed.

Diapers are easy, put him on his back, clothes-pin on your nose or hold your breath, undo his throw them in the bin, wipes handy, wipe him down, new diaper, and voila, you're done!

Baptism by fire is the best training anyways, so good luck!

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

never....turn...your ...back

you'll be fine. kids are usually great for others at that age. Ask them what they want to do.

Just remember they are way more curious then smart. what seems obvious to you (don't stick head in toilet or hand in fire) may seem like a good idea to them. You probably know that already.

[SteveToms]

Just give them a few shots of Whiskey, that should put them out

[Locke]

This oughta knock the little goblins out...

[Eastern Girl]

^ I might just keep that for myself.

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by Eastern Girl

They're pretty young. 2 1/2 yrs old and 1 year old. The oldest is being potty trained, but the other is still in diapers.

Kay, then put the pizza in the blender for the little one!

[Dion]

Just a warning if you have to change diapers.

Baby poop is the worst smell ever!

[Ford Prefect]

Diaper anxiety is over blown. Changing a diaper isn't that bad. The only thing to remember, as you mentioned they're boys, is to keep a cloth over their fire hoses at all times other wise they're liable to hose you down.