Be sure to check with the parents ahead of time to make sure it’s okay if you arrive a bit early. You can even ask to do a meet-and-greet with the whole family a day or two before you are supposed to babysit. This will help both you and the parents feel more comfortable. The more time you spend with a child, the more comfortable they should become around you. This is also true for babies and toddlers who will be comforted by getting used to the sound of your voice.

Try saying something like, “I hate seeing you upset. Can you tell me why you’re crying?” If the child will not stop crying, it helps to give them options. “You can either calm down here or go up to your room and calm down up there. ” If they do calm down, praise and comfort them. If the child is too young to speak and give you a response, just speaking to them in a soothing voice can be helpful.

If you are watching an infant or toddler who can’t talk to you about their problems, you can offer them a reassuring item such as a pacifier, a favorite toy, or a blanket that they love. This may help calm them down. If the child will be asleep when their parents return, you can say something like, “We’re going to have some fun together tonight and your parents will be home with you when you wake up in the morning. ”

Try saying something like this, “Remember that I’m here to play with you and take care of you. Your mommy and daddy love you very much and they will be home very soon. ”

Make sure you only offer the child parent-approved treats and snacks. You don’t want to feed the child something that will upset their stomach, risk choking, or keep them up too late with a sugar overload.

You might want to ask their parents ahead of time what their favorite TV show, movie, or DVD is so that you can use it if you need to.

Physical touch can be quite calming and reassuring for children when they are upset. Be sure they’re comfortable being hugged or patted before you do so.

For babies and toddlers, try playing peek-a-boo. Some good games to try with older children include Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, or another kind of cognitive game – like building Legos together.

Ask the kid what their favorite book is, and read it to them. If they are old enough, you can even have them read it to you. This keeps their mind focused on something constructive. A book with pictures might be the best option for younger children. This will help draw their attention more quickly and distract them from being upset. You may also want to try an interactive book that has buttons and sounds, or other tactile options, to distract a small child.

Getting agitated or excited yourself won’t help diffuse the situation at all.

Remember that the child is most likely genuinely upset, so avoid threatening them with a timeout, revoking favorite toys, or sending them to bed early.

You can also ask the parents about using a video chat app like FaceTime or Skype so that the child can see their parents. If the parents are unreachable, try calling your parents or another trusted adult for advice. If you can’t reach anyone else, and you think it is an emergency situation, call 911 for emergency help.

If there is a visible wound, try to treat it if you think you can. If there is bleeding, apply pressure with a piece of gauze (or clean paper towel) until the bleeding stops. Rinse the wound with warm water and remove any debris with tweezers that have been sterilized in alcohol. Apply some antibiotic cream and cover it with a bandage. [9] X Research source If you treat a wound at home, always check with the child’ parents or an emergency contact to see if a doctor’s visit is necessary. In the case of severe injury or blood loss, call 911 immediately. Do not wait for the child’s parents to return.