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Betsy
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| Posted: July 25 2012 at 7:56pm | IP Logged
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Has one of your children taken this class? Was it worth it?
I have a ds who wants to babysit...well really he wants to make money! 
He is a little on the young side this year, but will be at a good age next to start in ernest. He is currently a mother's helper to our neighbor and he has tons of experience with his siblings.
I am considering signing him up for the Red Cross Babysitters Training. The class is a bit expensive at $85 so I want to make sure it's worth the $$. I kind of feel like this would be a good thing for him to be able to say he has take to potential families, because he is a boy.
What do you think???
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JodieLyn
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There's a babysitting class through 4H here that my kids have taken.. it's only $10. They mostly learn common sense stuff that they probably already know but I like the reinforcement from an outside source and so far they've all enjoyed it.
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Mackfam
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My oldest dd took the class and she didn't find it very helpful. She took it when she was 13 and had already done Mothers-helper type stuff and had lots of experience with younger siblings. As Jodie says, it's mostly common sense, and most siblings have already changed diapers and know how to deal with basic babysitting stuff.
Betsy wrote:
| He is currently a mother's helper to our neighbor and he has tons of experience with his siblings. |
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If this is the case, I think you and he would find the class to be redundant.
Now, if you think that the $85 cost of the class would be an important part of his babysitting "marketing", you can always sign him up with the understanding that you will "garnish his wages" until the $85 is paid back.
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Betsy
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| Posted: July 25 2012 at 8:38pm | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
siblings have already changed diapers and know how to deal with basic babysitting stuff.
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It's funny you say that! When I was reading the description of the class I had to pause, this kid has only know breastfeeding and cloth diapers (which he did, with pins!) 
I am thinking that he probably would be hired more for his keen sense of engaging young boys than caring for newborns, though!
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WithAllMyHeart
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The Red Cross website shows a "First Aid" course and a "CPR Child and Infant" course. I, personally, would be thrilled to find a babysitter with that kind of training.
I don't know if your son is old enough to take those courses, though...
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Mackfam
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WithAllMyHeart wrote:
| The Red Cross website shows a "First Aid" course and a "CPR Child and Infant" course. I, personally, would be thrilled to find a babysitter with that kind of training... |
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These are different courses than the babysitters course. Both the CPR and First Aid courses are great!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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Betsy
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Mackfam wrote:
WithAllMyHeart wrote:
| The Red Cross website shows a "First Aid" course and a "CPR Child and Infant" course. I, personally, would be thrilled to find a babysitter with that kind of training... |
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These are different courses than the babysitters course. Both the CPR and First Aid courses are great! |
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Thanks Jen & Jennifer....this was my next question.
I agree, these coures would be great info for anyone to know and would equally sound good on a resume for babysitting.
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Mimip
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I was just discussing this with my best friend's husband who is the chief of the Fire Department here and he said that the CPR and First Aid classes were very important but he recommended the most a "very good knowledge" of the Heimlich Maneuver.
He said that he has seen many a parent and/or babysitter who could not perform this with horrible consequences. I was floored since I had not had a refresher course in many years.
We are now in the process of hiring a firefighter from the department who can teach us all (parents and older kids) these 3 things. It is going to be a class and we are going to split the cost between 5 families. This might be a great way to go if you know someone in the field.
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ShannonJ
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WithAllMyHeart wrote:
| The Red Cross website shows a "First Aid" course and a "CPR Child and Infant" course. I, personally, would be thrilled to find a babysitter with that kind of training. |
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I agree that these courses are excellent. I really love finding a sitter that is already qualified. We will actually pay for the training if we find a new sitter that we would love to keep around, but isn't yet qualified. But dh works in an ER and can be a little paranoid at times.
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cheesehead mom
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2 of my children took the red cross babysitting class. They receive a card that they are certified and it does seem to pull some weight with potential 'employers.' They do go over basic first aid (my daughter and her friend enjoyed immensely having to bandage each other like they were in a war or something!)and CPR I believe though it is not as intense as a full CPR class.
Laura
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guitarnan
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When I think back to my first babysitting job (I was 11) and my complete lack of training and experience, and then compare it to today's babysitting training programs, I have to laugh.
I do think it's better for our teens to have some training and instruction before they walk into someone else's home and begin caring for children. As a former daycare provider, I can assure you that CPR and choking prevention training is very, very important.
In the end, a good babysitter has a great rapport with kids, combined with a flexible mind and a background in first aid, CPR and working with children. Some parents are fine with references, while others prefer to see certification cards.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Red Cross Babysitters Training?
