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How to deal with most common babysitting problems?

There are many things you can do to prepare for your first meeting with the parents and to make a good impression, there are the usual things like showing up on time, and dress appropriately. Find our tips below! If you want to become a bilingual babysitter, learn more information about our babysitting jobs in Paris.

 

 

Tip 1: How to impress at the Interview


Meeting French parents for the first time can be nerve-racking, use this time as a way to gain more information about the children and the families habits.

Baby-speaker

 

Some examples of questions:

 

  • How many children do you have, what are their names/ages?
     
  • How many hours a week am I needed?
     
  • What sort of activities do the children like to do? Painting, sport, etc
     
  • What sort of activities do the children do after school?
     
  • Am I your first English speaking babysitter?
     

Even though, you will receive this information before you meet the parents, it is good to talk to them about it, so it is fresh in your mind.

 

It is also good to prepare a few questions for the parents, as it shows you take an interest in your work. 
 

This information can help you prepare one or two activities for the first day, as when children are bored they tend to misbehave. Also asking about the parents about their punishment and reward system, is a good way of knowing what you need to do, so you don’t have to introduce new system into the family and are being consistent.

 

Depending on the language level of the children, the parents may ask to speak to you a little in French, these are general questions usual about you, how long you have been in France and what you do here. Most importantly, is to do your best! 

Tip 2: How to talk to French parents

babysitter-with-family

When you become a nanny/babysitter or an English teacher, it is good to develop a good relationship with the parents, not just the kids. Being in France for the first time and dealing with a new culture can seem intimidating, so here are a few tips to get off on the right foot with the parents.

The most important thing to remember is to be yourself and be polite. Many parents want their kids to have an enjoyable experience when learning a new language, so if you come up with ideas of things to do such as going to a museum or the aquarium then share it with the parents, they may already have some suggestions of what they would like you to do. 

 

Always ask the parents for permission if you want to take the children to new places, as they may have rules about what sort of transportation you can use.

 

Remember to be polite, positive and try not to talk to them as soon as they get home, let them settle for a minute or two and talk to the children.

Tip 3: Dealing with problems

 

Problems arise in every job, being a babysitter or English teacher is a little different as it can be hard for children to express their emotions in constructive ways. Patience is a skill that you will develop in this job.

 

The most important information is not to wait to discuss problems with parents, the sooner you tackle a problem, the sooner it can be fixed. If anything that happens during work that makes you feel uncomfortable or if you are really struggling trying to get the children to do something, talking with the parents can help. They could give you some tips about what has worked for them in the past.

 

If you are comfortable enough to go directly to the parents, then it is highly recommended as it also helps you build friendly relations with them. Otherwise you can contact our HR team to see what they can do to help you.

Tip 4: Don’t overthink mistakes

babysitter-working

Mistakes happen, it is a part of life, if you make a mistake at work the best thing to do is to take note of it therefore it is less likely that you will do it again. Try to fix the mistake yourself if you can although tell the parents, in case there is anything there is something they need to do or if you cannot fix it yourself.

If you keep beating yourself up about a mistake that you made, then it is more likely that you will make more because you will be more stressed!

 

Babysitting can be hard but at the same time, it is a lot of fun. A good way to relax is to play games with kids, if you are looking for ideas then read this article about creative activities with kids. Being constantly stressed that your doing something wrong means your not focused on having fun. This can lead to the kids misbehaving because they will pick up on your non-verbal communications.

Tip 5: Dealing with French culture

french-cliché

Moving to France means that you discover a new culture, language and new friends. You get to have new experiences that you never would have imagined, and you will do things that you never would in your own country. When you meet French people there is inevitably a time of adjustment.

Don’t take comments or criticisms personally, remember that you may be their first English speaking babysitter, so they are learning too.

The main point is to take your time to settle in, it won’t happen overnight. Observation is a good tool, you will see how parents are with they children in France, not just in the home but everywhere you go.

 

A good tip is to note the differences between your culture and French culture, as they may be some things that are normal for you yet would never happen in France.

 

 



 

Tips for your Babysitting job in Paris:

 


 

What do you need for a babysitting job?

 


 

What are the best babysitting game ideas?

 


 

What to do while babysitting?

 

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