15 Things You Should Never Do While Babysitting

There are tons of things to do while babysitting that are fun, engaging, and parent approved. For instance, see my post 20 Fun Things To Do While Babysitting. On the other hand, there are also plenty of things you should NEVER do while babysitting.

Getting a babysitting job can be very fun, but it’s also a lot of responsibility. Parents want to know that they are leaving their children with someone who is responsible, respectful, and professional. To put their minds at ease and earn their trust in you, there are some things that you should avoid doing at all times while babysitting.

Nearly all parents have at least one horror story from a babysitter. Hopefully, it’ll come across to you as common sense to not drink, smoke, or use drugs while watching children. But what else might be on the no no list?

Avoid becoming one of the babysitter horror stories and never by any means do any of things else while babysitting:

Sleep while on the job

You might think it’s okay to take a little snooze while the kids are napping themselves, but it’s not. The parents are paying you to be awake, alert, and ready for anything while they’re away. Kids have a funny way of getting into things trouble quickly. You have to be ready for that.

Even if they’ve gone to sleep, it’s not okay to rest your eyes too. Just because you’re not in an office setting, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be professional. Would you sleep at your desk or cubicle? Sleep on your own time, not theirs.

Trust that what kids tell you is always true

Kids are cute, fun, and enjoyable. But you know what else? They’ll lie their pants off if they can get away with it. You really can’t trust that a kid is telling you the truth at all times.

Sometimes it’s not a bold-faced lie, it’s just confusion on their part. They think it’s true, so they’re not lying, but they’re wrong nonetheless.

Take whatever they say with a grain of salt. They’re not always the best source of information.

If you’re looking for additional information or clarification on something, always ask the parents first. Kids can tell you where their parents keep the extra paper towels, but they can’t be trusted with how many cookies they’re allowed to have before bed. Lying with true awareness that they’re telling a lie usually begins at around age 4.

Take pictures of them without the permission of the parent

It may seem harmless to snap a quick picture of the kids and send it to their parents, especially if they’re doing something cute. However, this might creep some parents out. They don’t know you that well, so it’s always a good idea to get their permission before taking such liberties with their kids.

Post pictures of the kids on social media

And what are you going to do with that picture after you take it? DON’T share it on any social media platform. That’s a violation of the privacy of that family, especially if the faces of the kids are in it.

If you’ve gotten close to the family and have built a trusting rapport, maybe you can share it at a later date if it’s just something harmless like smiling faces. However, make sure it’s okay with the parents before doing so. Some parents don’t have social media accounts or refuse to post pictures of their kids online at all.

Invite a friend over to watch the kids with you

I’ll admit that I’ve gotten bored while babysitting. When the kids are asleep or watching a show, your job can get pretty dull at times. That’s why you should bring something for you to do while babysitting. Do schoolwork, read a book, bring a quiet hobby, but never invite someone over.

It’s up to you to find something engaging for you to take part in during downtime. But that something should never be a guest. You’re at work, you’re not at your house. Friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, siblings, and cousins should not be invited over to the home of the family that you’re babysitting.

Snoop in drawers, cabinets, or bedrooms

I wish this could just go without saying, but it can’t. It’s not your house, so you shouldn’t treat it like such. Respect people’s privacy and don’t go opening up drawers, cabinets, or looking inside bedrooms.

It’s one thing if you need to find a pen to write down a message for the parents. It’s another if you’re curious about what conditioner they use. Somethings are better left to your imagination.

Also, you may think that no one will ever know, but a lot of families have nanny cams installed. Just cause you think no one is watching, doesn’t mean that they aren’t in the room with you.

Intentionally harm a child

Children are constantly active and so the more they move around the more likely it is that they’ll have an accident. Most days will be free from injury, but on occasion, some sort of injury will occur while you’re watching them. Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious.

However, by no means should you ever cause that injury or hit a child. It’s not up to you to reprimand children in that manner. Use your words, give them time outs, or take away TV or screen time, but never resort to hitting as a punishment.

Break the rules of the house

You may not agree with the rules of the house, but you have to abide by them. This is your job. You’ve been hired to be an extension of the parents while they’re away from their children. So you must respect the rules of the parents and enforce them, even if you disagree with them.

If something make you very uncomfortable or you can’t bring yourself to abide certain rules (shy of any abuse), it is probably best that you don’t babysit for that family at all.

Leave the children unattended

Unless these are school-aged children playing in their backyard which you know is gated and safe, don’t leave kids alone. Even when they are old enough to be free play outside, you must check on them frequently. Kids like to take chances and don’t think about the long term effects of their actions. They have to be supervised to some degree at all times.

If these are young children, by no means should they ever be left alone. They’ll certainly engage in some sort of mischief because everything is new and interesting – especially the dangerous things!

Dress inappropriately

You’re with kids, so dress that way. I wouldn’t recommend wearing skirts, dresses, or anything too tight. It doesn’t give off the impression that you’re there to play with kids. That type of clothing often sets limits on what you can do. So throw on clean, stain-free, and comfortable clothing when you’re headed to a babysitting job.

Leave a mess for the parents to clean up

Only if you’re watching an infant should the entire mess be put on you to clean up. Otherwise, whoever made the mess should clean up the mess.

Kids can clean up their own toys and put their dishes in the sink or dishwasher. They may need supervision and help, but they’re more than capable of taking on that responsibility. It should never be left to the parents to clean up after you have left.

Additionally, if you make a mess, clean up after yourself. Don’t leave dirty cups, food wrappers, or spilled anything for the parents. It’s just rude if you do.

Give children medication without permission from the parent

Sometimes children will become in during your stay. They might come down with a fever, headache, stomach ache, etc. Don’t take it upon yourself to give them any medicine that you haven’t’ been instructed to give them.

Inform the parents about the illness and let them decide if the child can have anything. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait it out with them until their parents come home.

Complain about the parents and or kids

Without a doubt, if you’ve been babysitting long enough, you’re going to encounter a situation that you don’t like. The kids will be extra whiney that day, the parents aren’t good at coming home on time, or you’re just having a bad day and don’t want to be there. Whatever it is, keep the complaints to yourself while you’re at work.

Don’t complain in front of the children because it’ll most likely get back to the parents and it’ll make you look bad. Avoid texting to complain too. Since you’re annoyed, you probably won’t be thinking clearly and could easily make a mistake and text the parents by accident.

Wait until after you’re done babysitting to vent your frustrations to friends or families. Believe it or not, people actually had to WAIT to do things before the invention of cell phones. You can too.

Excessively use your phone or computer

It’s virtually unheard of for anyone to not have a cell phone nowadays, but that doesn’t mean that you have carte blanche permission to use it whenever you please.

Parents will text or call you to check in on the kids at any point. It’s a good idea to have it on hand for that reason, but you shouldn’t be looking at it more than you do the kids.

You’re being paid to watch the children, not your phone. They can be a huge distraction for anyone, so just get into the habit of not having it in your hand 24/7.

Lie to the parents about how the day went

People make mistakes and unfortunately and less than desirable circumstances will come up from time to time. Don’t withhold this information from the parents. They have to know that they can trust you while they’re gone and lying about something will certainly put a damper on that ever happening.

If the kids are misbehaving, they should know about it. Should an accident occurs while they’re under your care, tell them. Don’t try to cover up anything because the truth will always come to the surface. Be open and honest with them, even if you’re the one at fault. Mistakes are much easier to forgive than lies.

Before taking on a job as a babysitter, you should be aware of the pitfalls. Every job comes with limitations, disadvantages, and constraints. If you avoid doing any of these things while babysitting, you’ll find that it can be a very rewarding experience. On the other hand, if you do find yourself in any one of these predicaments, fess up to it and learn from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them next time.