by Lina Bunte
Babysitting. I used to think it was the worst job in the world. When I was in Middle School, I took a babysitting class at the hospital. We got a little folder after the course was done, and in the little folder was a certificate that said that I was a certified babysitter. I thought it was real. I thought that all babysitters got one, and they had to show the parents of the kids they were babysitting for. The first family I show my certificate to laughed in my face.
When I first started babysitting, I thought I had to be strict and mean at all times to make sure the kids would follow my directions. Of course they didn’t. My bad attitude rubbed off on the kids. There were many nights when the kids wouldn’t go to bed, and I just didn’t know what to do. Even threatening to call their parents didn’t work. I would get so angry and vow NEVER to babysit again! Then there was my mom, who would always volunteer my services.
After more than 5 years of hating all babysitting jobs, I threw away my certificate and started all over. I was growing older and missing being a kid. When I would babysit, I knew it was my chance to be a kid again. I could play Barbies, trucks, climb trees, or just make up games in the backyard. I remember one awesome game I made up with these three girls I babysat for. All of the neighbor hood kids would come over to play. It was a game that consisted of tag/being a statue/spinning in circles/and making sure you wore crappy pants, because they will get grass stains.
It’s so much easier to be happy and have fun, than to stew and boss kids around. Last night while babysitting a little girl named Jordan, I found myself dancing with The Wiggles, having a tea party with Dora cups, and singing a rainbow song. Whenever she laughed, I laughed too. Babysitting. I now think it’s the best job in the world.