Make Finding the “Blankie” a Priority
Many children have a security blanket or comfort item – something they sleep with or carry around. For most, it is a blanket, for many it is a stuffed animal, but there are countless other items that children treasure.
It may be difficult for a babysitter to understand the importance of a comfort item. Perhaps she never had one as a child, or maybe she doesn’t remember the importance of it and how it made her feel. Parents usually understand completely and return it to the child’s bed every time they find it lying around the house so that it is sure to be where they need it at bedtime.
If a child you babysit for has a comfort item that he takes to bed every night and the parents have forgotten to locate it for you before they left, you should make it the first order of business. Take the time early in the evening to perform a “search and rescue mission” for the blankie or whatever it is. Don’t wait until it is bedtime when the child is tired and cranky and you might be a little tired and cranky yourself. This will make bedtime go much more smoothly.
Avoid saying things like, “It’s just a blanket. Go to sleep; you can find it in the morning!” Yes, to all of us, it is JUST a blanket, but to the child who holds it dear to his heart, it is essential.
The same holds true for pacifiers. If you are babysitting a baby who needs his pacifier to fall asleep, make sure you locate it as soon as you arrive or you may wish you didn’t have ears if you can’t find it at bedtime!
Weaning children off of comfort items is up to the parents. I know people who took their blankies to college with them! Though you are acting in the parents place when you are babysitting, you shouldn’t ever change household rules or take it upon yourself to try to wean a child off of a pacifier, bottle, comfort item, etc. unless the parents ask you to. Sometimes, the parents need the comfort item more than the child!
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert
November 12th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Hi Babysitting Lady,
your advise that a baby sitter locate that “Blankie” or other comfort item early on in the evening when they come over to sit is superb and right on target.
That is so true for what is effective with the reality of life items for what it is like to sit and care for a child. They want their blankie!
Of course as adults, we still crave our bah bahs in carrying around our water bottles! lol
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Boomer Dating Expert
November 12th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I heard about someone who cut up “blankie” as a punishment (parent, not babaysitter). Sick huh? A blankie is a transitional object that helps deal with change. My thought is that if they need it, let them have it!
Keri Eagan
AlternativeHealing*Insight
November 12th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I laughed when I read the parent may need the comfort item more than the child. How many parents do you see that when a child is tired cranky the first thing they look for is the comfort item. Why – it quiets the child and the parent has some piece of mind.
I have 3 nieces that all took their blanky to college.
Vicki http://www.bridal-threads.com
November 12th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
As a teen i raised my siblings and spent countless hours babysitting for relatives, neighbors and family friends. I only recall a couple kids that had a special toy, but the one i remember most was the blanket that got left in the car when the parents drove away for the evening…. it was a long night.
Don Shepherd
Central Oregon Expert
November 14th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
This could very well be the best piece of advice ever.
As a parent I learned quickly that I should buy a duplicate favourite cuddly item and cycle them so that (i) they could be washed without causing too much upset and (ii) there was a back-up if one ever went missing.
The downside of this plan is that the child only needs to get the slightest glimpse of the duplicate – so powerfully primed are they towards its shape and color at an unconscious level – that they very soon end up with both of them!
Philip
Consumer Behaviour Expert
[The Consumer Behaviour Research Resource]
November 15th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
This post and Philip’s advice above are excellent.
Great tips Babysitting lady!
November 15th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I imagine “Blankies” will all be replaced by Snuggies in the near future. Having a spare is a great idea.
Steve Chambers
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:50 am
I remember my wife’s little cousin had a “Blankie” and she had it with her all the time. My wife had to sew it back together for her a few times.
That “Blankie” is very important to a child. Thanks Lisa.
Lynn Lane
Thanks for the Success Tips Today
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Definitely do the “search and rescue” early in the evening – otherwise it’s a great way for the savvy kid to delay going to bed – which is many kids’ favourite bedtime game!!
Martin Wright
Impact, Poise, Presenting
November 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am
My nephew has a “blankie”. He is now 10 years old. He’s had it since he was a baby. It is unrecognizable as a blanket at this point. It is a tattered, discolored, shredded remnant of what it used to be…but he loves it, and his parents make sure it is handy before he goes to sleep.
Health, Fitness for Working People — Darryl Pace