Baby Sitting World

My son had a friend from school over to play one day when he was in the third grade. The boy was only at our house for about fifteen minutes before there was some type of problem between the two of them. My son came out of his room and said that his friend told him that all his toys “sucked.” I was a bit surprised, because although “sucked” isn’t a “bad” word or a “swear” word, it also isn’t a very nice word and it sounds rather vulgar to me coming from a child. For some reason, it doesn’t bother me when an adult says it, but when an eight-year-old says it, it just sounds very wrong.  Now this is totally a matter of opinion, and I am interested in hearing the opinions of others.

My children and I were listening to a cd in the car one day and the word sexy was in the song. I heard the kids arguing in the back seat because my son kept saying the word sexy over and over and my daughter kept telling him not to say it because it was a “bad word.” I had to explain that it wasn’t really a “bad” word. I told them that it is usually used by an adult to describe another adult that they are attracted to and maybe want to go on a date with. (I know that wasn’t perfect but that was the best way I could think of to describe it on such short notice!) I explained that a child shouldn’t have any reason to use that word and a child shouldn’t be referred to as sexy because they shouldn’t be found attractive in that way by adults. So I said “It isn’t a bad word, it’s just an adult word.” 

Another word that comes to mind while I’m on this subject is the word “hell.”  I often hear this referred to as a “swear word” or a “bad word.”  Again, I tried to explain to my children that although “hell” sounds like a bad word, it really is supposed to be just the name of the place where some believe the devil resides if that’s what they’ve been taught.  But, I also mentioned that in this case, the way the word is used and the tone in which it is spoken has a lot to do with how “bad” it sounds.  To me, this is another word that doesn’t make me bat an eye when used by an adult but takes me by complete surprise when a child uses it.  For example, if I heard an adult say “Where the hell did I put my car keys?” I would know this person was just frustrated looking for his or her keys.  But, if I heard a five-year-old say “Where the hell did I put my doll?” I think I would be horrified!  However, if a five-year-old asked if a dead animal was going to heaven or hell, it wouldn’t sound strange at all.

When my kids were little, to them, the “S-word” was “shut-up” because they weren’t allowed to say that.   We just felt that it didn’t sound nice and a different choice of words could be used that wouldn’t sound quite so harsh.

I would love to hear comments and opinions from other parents on this subject.  And remember, this is a matter of opinion not an argument over who is right or wrong.

Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Classes, and Tips

Here is a post for all the wonderful babysitters out there who are looking to become more fabulous at what they do. Sometimes when you babysit for the same family over and over again, you get sick of the same old toys. First of all, it’s hard to really get into toys anyway once you’ve past adolescence. But then, to have to play with the same toys every time you care for the children can be very wearing. So, what do you do? Answer: get creative! Look around for things that are not actually toys but can be safely played with.

Most children, preschoolers especially, love to have a parade. Grab some metal pots or pans and a couple of wooden spoons and you have drums. Bring along an empty tissue box and put a few different size elastic bands around it for a cool sounding “guitar.” Paper towel tubes are great for singing or humming through. Add a couple of wooden blocks or plastic cups to tap together and then you will make and altogether different sound for the band.

Did you ever build a “fort” with the sofa cushions when you were a kid, or drape a sheet or blanket over a few chairs and play underneath? It seems all kids love to do this, but make sure you check with the parents first in case they don’t approve of the cushions or blankets being used in this way.

A bed or sofa can quickly become a boat or raft in the middle of the ocean. And the kitchen chairs all lined up instantly become a train with just a little imagination.

Are you babysitting the next Britney Spears, Julia Roberts, Tyra Banks, Michael Jackson, Morgan Freeman, or Lucky Vanous? Then why not have a show? Let the kids take turns reciting nursery rhymes, singing to a cd, acting out a commercial, or putting on a fashion show. Let them show off their talents. You can either take part or be the overzealous audience!

The more you use your imagination, the more fun you will all have together! Be the babysitter everybody wants to hire!

Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Classes, and Tips