Behavior Management Tips for Babysitters: When Everything Goes Wrong

Knowing how to manage kids’ behavior is one of the most important babysitting skills you can have. This Babysitter Boss episode covers what to do when tantrums, fights, and out-of-control behavior push you to your limit — including when to call for backup.

Okay, Babysitters. Let’s get real. I know what you had in mind when you thought about being a babysitter … But let’s be honest, sometimes it’s more like …

Kids are kids, and sometimes that means that they’ll be a handful. It’s up to you to remain calm and stay in control so that the kids don’t hurt themselves or each other.

How to Keep Your Cool When Kids Misbehave

First, keep your own temper in check. Be patient. When you talk to them, be firm, but don’t yell.

Next, remember that most of the time, you can use a behavior hack. I did a whole video about this, so check out it out if you haven’t seen it yet. 

Behavior Management Techniques That Work

But here’s a quick rundown of my top tips and tricks to manage behavior:

• Comfort them if they’re hungry or cranky.
• Distract them if they’re upset. “I don’t want to go to bed! I want my mom!” Babysitter Boss picks up stuffed animal “Who is this? Is this your bear? What’s his name?” Teddy “Do you want to hear a story about Teddy?”
• Make a game out of something they don’t want to do – ‘It’s time to get ready for bed. Let’s have a race to see who can put on their pajamas and get into bed the fastest.”
• Or, Promise them something fun as a reward once they finish a chore. “Brush your teeth and then I’ll let you pick out a story.”
• Another tip: Give them choices. “It’s time for lights out; do you want to listen to music for a few minutes OR have it quiet in here?”

Sometimes, even these tips won’t help. You may need to have each child take a break or a time-out.

When to Call the Parents for Help

If you need help, call the parent. “I’m sorry to bother you while you’re out. Jonah and Hannah keep fighting and pulling each other’s hair. I’ve tried everything to get them to stop. I need help.”

Don’t be afraid to call for back-up. If the kids are physically fighting and you can’t get them to stop, you need help. Even if they aren’t physically fighting, behavior like screaming or throwing things mean that the child is out of control and you need help. If you’ve tried the behavior tips and they’re not working, the parents may need to cut their evening short to return home. You’re a babysitter, not a martyr.

Behavior issues can be difficult, but you don’t have to go it alone. Use my tips to help manage behavior before it becomes a problem, and ask for help if things get out of control. And stay strong, babysitters! You’ve got this.