Youth class on baby sitter safety, practical information

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times editor
HILL AFB, Utah --  The finer points of being a great baby sitter were reviewed after answering an introduction question about why a group of young students had chosen to attend an all-day Feb. 20 class at the Youth Center. Susan Smith-Parry, Northern Utah Red Cross safety and health instructor, introduced herself to the nine students prepared to be informed about safety and other such things as what foods are appropriate for what age ranges in children you baby-sit.

Smith-Parry was quick to point out that both boys and girls make great baby sitters as two boys arrived first for the class. She said that boys are often very rational when emergencies strike and can make great baby sitters.

After the youth introduced themselves to one another in the first class activity, and they provided answers to the basic introductory questions, Smith-Parry answered the same questions.

"I made twelve-hundred dollars one year, baby-sitting," she said, in reply to: "What's the largest amount of money you have been paid for baby-sitting?"

That seemed to get their attention, and the students got down to basics.

In addition to a CD with some of the information to be covered, a booklet full of useful information formed the textbook for the class and chapters included such things as age appropriate skills the children they would baby-sit would have. "For example, you wouldn't expect an 18-month-old to know how to jump rope," Smith-Parry said in an off-the-cuff remark on that chapter as she gave a quick description of the class.

Other chapters included such things as "Who would you open the door to?"

Also reviewed was a chapter on basic safety information, on how to respond to a choking incident, basic first aid, emergency phone numbers and other useful information to know in the event of an emergency.

The booklet even included a chapter on interviewing prospective clients and what they should expect when being interviewed themselves as potential baby sitters.

What one might charge or expect to be paid as a babysitter was also included.

Tom Williams, Youth Center teen and youth coordinator, said the center will be offering another class in April and one in May, instead of just once every three months. The Youth Center is offering the additional classes to add to the skills of potential babysitters. For information, contact the center at (801) 777-2419.