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10-18-2007, 3:02 PM justme! Joined on 07-29-2007 Along for the Ride Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! I have been mothers helpering two little kids; one is two and one is three. They drive me crazy! I have to chase one around while playing with the other, the little one screams and uses his hands (hitting, etc.) and the other one doesnt listen. I know that this is a great oppurtunity, cuz it's twice a week for 2 hrs. and i make $10 each time, but its so hard. Its also good cuz she ahs five toher sisters with little kids, too. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Report

10-19-2007, 10:50 PM kidsRme Joined on 10-16-2007 Along for the Ride Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! Try to get them busy doing things like playing with playdough, playing pretend games, or reading them a book. There are some nice homemade recipes for playdough that you can make any color you want. Also, you could try bringing some old toys you might have, since kids usually love anything new. Here's the recipe for playdough: Playdough Ingredients: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 1 cup water 1 tablespoon cream of tartar (Or 3 teaspoons lemon juice) 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil (or any light-colored oil) approximately 20 drops of food coloring First, mix all the dry ingredients together, then mix all the liquid ingredients in a separate bowl. Then combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, and stir on medium heat. It may look way too wet, but continue stirring until the dough begins to lose its stickiness and starts to lump together. Remove from the heat, and turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. The dough will be hot. When it's cool, it's ready to use. When you are finished, store the playdough in an airtight container, like a ziploc bag.    Report

10-20-2007, 10:50 AM Chosen7Stone Joined on 10-21-2005 Tallahassee, FL Super Sitter!! Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! It's not much of an opportunity if you're going to lose your hair from all the stress! When the kids start misbehaving, what steps exactly do you take?  Have you discussed their behavior with their parents, and if so, what did they recommend you do? *Love in Christ from Mary* 1 Peter 2:4-5 Vote my agency, Seminole Sitters, the "Best Overall Business" in Tallahassee for the 2007 Tally Awards at EverythingTallahassee.com!!!    Report

10-20-2007, 5:19 PM Mommy2Lots Joined on 11-15-2006 Houston,TX Super Sitter!! Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! I like kidsrme's suggestion about the activities. Also, Chosen made a great point.   Ask the parents what they do to discipline and use their plan. Another plan that works: When a child hits or takes a toy: 1. Remove the child from the same area as the other child and give them a busy toy. Tell that child "You'll have to play over here for a little bit. That wasn't very nice" or something to that effect. 2. After a few minutes, go to the child and say "Are you ready to play nicely now?" If they say yes, let them play with the other child. If they say no, say "It looks like you still need to play over here for a while." 3.Repeat step 2 every few minutes until the child says yes. Each time you talk to the child, bend down to their level and look into their eyes. This helps a child relate to an adult better. This way they are behaving, not out of fear, but out of understanding and trust. If this doesn't work, you can try something similar, but with time-outs. However, I have found that with toddlers, time-outs don't work as well. They often don't understand or forget too quickly what they did wrong and why they're in time-out. Also, remember to intervene right away because the more time that passes after the incident, the likelier it is for the toddler to forget about what they just did. Once they forget, the discipline implemented is useless.   Parenting/Sitting Articles - If you view these, kindly return back to Babysitting Forums. ;-)    Report

10-20-2007, 11:06 PM Chosen7Stone Joined on 10-21-2005 Tallahassee, FL Super Sitter!! Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much!  Mommy2Lots wrote: Each time you talk to the child, bend down to their level and look into their eyes. This helps a child relate to an adult better. This way they are behaving, not out of fear, but out of understanding and trust. I think this is a technique overlooked way too much -- thanks for pointing it out. *Love in Christ from Mary* 1 Peter 2:4-5 Vote my agency, Seminole Sitters, the "Best Overall Business" in Tallahassee for the 2007 Tally Awards at EverythingTallahassee.com!!!    Report

10-21-2007, 3:33 PM Mommy2Lots Joined on 11-15-2006 Houston,TX Super Sitter!! Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! No problem. I agree that people often forget this small, but important technique. Parenting/Sitting Articles - If you view these, kindly return back to Babysitting Forums. ;-)    Report

10-21-2007, 9:40 PM shamrocknyc Joined on 03-27-2007 NYC I Know My Way Around Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! With little kids so close in age, the toy taking gets to be never ending. Ask parents what their game plan is for disciplinary issues. Good advice above, eye level is SO important. Remember, use a passive voice, yelling will get you nowhere you want to be, everyone will end up angry. Try to express your concern with the action instead of the person. ("I don't like when you hit." "In this house, we share." etc.) Also, praise good behavior when you see it, this will earn you more of it and act as a model for the other child. My advice would be to take charge and try to engage them in an activity. "Let's put a puzzle together (color, play with blocks, play with Play-doh, read a book etc.)" They are much less likey to be fighting if they are doing something with you. They start to loose interest, get them to help you clean up and move on to something else. The most important thing is to stay as patient as you can and take it all in strides. It'll get easier as you get into it a little more. Good luck!    Report

10-25-2007, 4:26 PM justme! Joined on 07-29-2007 Along for the Ride Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! but the problem is that I'm not alone with them, so really can't start pulling out playbdough, etc. The parents are still there ... I just take the kids off their hands while they are busy. Thye constantly take toys, throw doll strollers, dolls, Thomas And Friends trucks and trains, and scream! r there any really really good techniques, maybe some fun and active songs with motions, that i can use???    Report

10-25-2007, 5:43 PM Mommy2Lots Joined on 11-15-2006 Houston,TX Super Sitter!! Re: Love 'Sitting ... But Too Much! Songs that have movements: Itsy Bitsy Spider London Bridge If You're Happy & You Know It Farmer In The Dell B-I-N-G-O This Old Man I'm A Little Tea Pot Also, try reading their favorite stories and acting them out with sound effects, fun voices, and movements. Also, just play with them like you're a kid and sit in between them at first to separate them for less arguing. When they start to have fun, don't worry if you're in between them or not. Just keep them busy. When they start arguing, move on to something new because they're probably just bored. Hope that helps some. If you need even more things, just ask. Parenting/Sitting Articles - If you view these, kindly return back to Babysitting Forums. ;-)    Report