For Rose Terami, of Tunbridge, babysitting is the perfect job.
“I like watching the kids that I babysit grow up and see the world from new perspectives, whether it be through taking a walk down the road and picking flowers or something as simple as reading a picture book,” said Terami, 17, who is entering her senior year at Hanover High School. “I also value the relationships that I have formed with the parents of the children I babysit for. They are kind and grateful every single time I babysit for them and support me in my endeavors in school and beyond.”
Terami first started working with kids as a mother’s helper when she was in fifth grade.
By seventh grade, she was babysitting alone, and now, she consistently babysits throughout the year.
“During the school year, I have to be careful about how I fit babysitting into my schedule as I have to manage my time wisely to fit in homework, sports and leisure time as well,” she said.
In addition to being a great way to earn spending money, babysitting has taught Terami about running her own businesses.
“Babysitting is an entrepreneurial job — you either accept or decline the requests of your clients, and you learn to manage your own money,” she said. “This has been a valuable experience for me.”
Like any business owner, she has to consider her expenses and qualifications when setting her rates.
“When I started out as a mother’s helper, I didn’t charge too much, but I increased my rate over time as I became more experienced and older,” Terami said. “Now, I have to consider things like the costs of having a car into my rates.”
Terami has some tips for other teens who are interested in babysitting:
Network with local families: Terami met families needing child care at local kid-friendly events and by volunteering at story time.
Take a babysitting course: Terami completed a babysitting course at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center that covered first aid and emergency preparedness.
Spend time with kids: Terami has found that the kids she babysits all have unique personalities, which she can connect with to better care for them. “This can be helpful in understanding their perspective.”
Learn how to change a diaper: “I still have to plug my nose, but there’s really no way around this one — you just have to do it,” Terami said.
She also recommends that parents complete a few preparations before they leave. Use an index card to make sure your babysitter has all important information in one place, including:
■Parents’ phone numbers and a backup adult that the sitter can reach if parents can’t be reached.
■Your address (in case the sitter needs to call for help at your home).
■Important medical information including allergies and contact for the pediatrician.
“These are important things to know ahead of time so the babysitter doesn’t get in a tough position if something does happen while you’re gone,” she said.