10 Questions You Ask Yourself When You Babysit | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Questions You Ask Yourself When You Babysit

From the new to the experienced babysitter, you pray you answer these correctly

120
10 Questions You Ask Yourself When You Babysit
kidsvillecafe

To the babysitters of the world, you know you can't pass up the opportunity to finally unleash the secrets of what we ask ourselves when we are responsible for the little ones. Let’s face it; asking the 1-year-old won’t do us any good. On the other hand, deciding whether or not to call the parents/guardians of the children for simple answers happens to be one of those internal struggles we always try to avoid but never do. Here’s a list of what goes through our minds everysingle time we babysit.

1. What’s the deal with the doorbell?

This question actually has many uncertainties involved. Let’s play the scene out. You just got out of your car after debating whether or not you should park on the street or in the driveway.

You take an unusually long amount of time within the car fiddling for your keys and making sure all of your windows are rolled up (although, it is winter and they were all up to begin with). These efforts all purposely pursued in order to preserve the last final seconds of freedom until you must face the doorbell debacle: "I think I have the right house. Yep, definitely have the right house. Alright, do I ring the doorbell? Should I just walk into the house? Actually, maybe I shouldn’t because we aren’t that close. Then again, she did give me her cell phone number so that’s like the key to the house, right? OK, I am just going to ring the doorbell. I really hope this is the right house."

2. When exactly are the parents leaving?

You’ve been playing with the children for about 45 minutes now but the parents haven’t left yet, which isn’t a problem…until the questions unfold. "Did I get the right time? Was I early? I think they might have told me 6 pm. Let me check my phone. No, don’t check the phone. Not while they are still here."Try not to make any noticeable signs of misunderstanding. "Wait, do I play with their children or do I let their Dad (who for some reason is always ready first) play with them? Does this count as babysitting? I think I messed up the time.”

3. Do I remember the directions the parents just told me?

You participate in this discussion while playing with the children. Naturally, you missed a few instructions. You panic slightly. The real panic doesn’t set in until that one particular instruction was vital to remember. “Wait, how long do I heat this bottle for and what the heck am I adding to it…?” Ironically enough, you never seem to forget the time you’re told to put the children to bed.

4. How do they have this much energy?

For this question, your lungs are burning and your creative ideas are slowly dying. You start to reflect upon how at this age, you should’ve signed up for the currently unachievable half marathon.

5. So we doing baby powder for this diaper or Desitin…or both?

This is when those directions could have been handy. You pray the both of them won’t give the baby a diaper rash.

6. Did Mommy or Daddy say you could eat this?

This is a question for the children who can answer it. On the other hand, 99 percent of the time their “Yes” is a straight out lie. Let’s be real…you let them eat whatever it is anyway.

7. What would I do if they choked or something like right now?

We all hope you have this one covered.

8. Do you think they’d mind if I ate their food?

You debate back and forth on if you should eat that granola bar from the pantry. You’re probably starving, the parents did say you are welcome to whatever you want, but you still decide to leave the granola bar. Why? Still not sure. Something about taking food seems wrong.

9. Do I leave the room now?

Without fail, the child wants you to stay in his/her bedroom until mom and dad come home. To you, you’re sneaking out of there as soon as the precious angel falls asleep. As you lay on the floor awaiting the child’s passage into dreamland, you pull out your phone and wait…and wait…wait some more…scroll…wait again…text…wait for the social media page to reload…think about eating again…self-reflect…wait…wait…then, the beautiful sound of deep breathing/minor snoring resounds.

This is the moment you make no sudden movements or noises. “Is the child asleep? I think so. Wait, no, are they really asleep like really asleep? Do I leave now? I don’t know. Maybe I should wait for like five more minutes. Then again, I think I hear snoring. I’m pretty sure that’s snoring. Okay, I will leave now but very slowly!”

10. So should I go home or...?

This is probably the most awkward part of the entire night. So you are standing there definitely listening to the parents talk about their night out on the town, but do you slowly walk to the door while listening? “Is it too soon? Maybe I should just slowly put my shoes on right now so we all get the hint. Let me throw my jacket on too. Alright, I am going to lean toward the door now and…oh wait, still talking, OK.”

Of course, you’ve been babysitting for so long that you don’t even need to worry. You totally have this covered. Also, we know exactly what to do when all else fails-- we give a call to the parents...our parents!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187788
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13348
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456701
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25918
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments