When your daughter is asked to babysit for the first time, a degree of puzzlement may come over you. Like, “What is this family thinking?” Have you somehow missed the outward signs of responsibility they seem to find in her? They say they are looking for someone who makes good decisions, who they can trust and who will keep the house intact. Visions of her bedroom come to mind, moldy snacks strewn across the floor, and you are fairly certain she would prefer to throw away dishes rather than wash them. You wonder how she will follow directions for someone else when she conveniently forgets half the things you tell her. Sure, she may be good with her goldfish, but how will she handle two little children? She seems excited and has already mentally spent the cash she will earn. So do you let her try it and hope for the best, and what is adequate preparation?

First, be sure your child is responsible enough to be in charge. Can she follow directions, keep safety in mind and make good decisions? If not for you, can she at least behave this way for someone who is paying her? Does she even like little kids?

Next, discuss potential situations that require critical thinking skills. Would she know what to do if a child choked? What if the little guy set fire to his mattress? Or if someone knocked on the door late at night? What she would do if she received prank phone calls, or if the parents tried to drive her home after they had been drinking? Is she capable of changing diapers without vomiting? Can she make snacks or dinner or bathe the kids? Does she get scared after dark? Is she comfortable watching extra kids, like neighborhood friends who wander over while she’s sitting?

When you both agree the time is right, enroll your child in a babysitting class, which covers babysitting basics as well as general first aid and choking. Next, make a list of things he is willing and comfortable doing, as this will help decide which families are a good fit for the sitter’s skills. It is a good idea to begin with small jobs or sitting while a parent is still home. It is a better idea to avoid movies like “When a Stranger Calls” the night before the first job.

When trying to drum up business, avoid posting or passing out flyers with personal information. Instead, network through friends. If you do not know the family your child is sitting for, then you both should meet them and learn the layout of the house prior to sitting.

Help your child create an “interview list” full of questions for first time jobs. She should know where the emergency numbers are, how to work the phone, how the parents discipline, which rooms are off-limits, and if neighbors or friends are welcome while she is sitting. Be sure she prioritizes these questions ahead of learning how to work the TV remote and what kind of snacks they have.

As a parent, keep the contact information and house address also in case you need to reach your child. Be sure you have arranged a ride home for your child ahead of time. Unless you know and trust the family, it is safest for you to pick up. This will help her avoid the possibility of having to decline a ride if the driver is intoxicated. Additionally, your 13-year-old may feel awkward riding home alone with a male adult she barely knows. If you don’t arrange pick-up in advance, develop a code word she can use to request one. This way, if she calls and says, “Hi Mom. I’m done sitting. BUTTERBEAN!” then you will be able to intervene and tell the parent you will be coming to pick her up.

Every time your child babysits, she should know in advance how many children will be there and what time the parents will be home. This eliminates any surprises, like coming over to sit for Jack and finding his entire baseball team in the basement.

Babysitting is a great way for kids to earn extra money. It does carry some risks, which may put your child in a vulnerable position if not discussed ahead of time. Choosing safe jobs together will help her babysit confidently, return home safely, and finally have her own cash to spend.

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