Babysitting

Babysitting is the practice of temporarily caring for a child on behalf of the child's parents. Babysitting is commonly performed as an odd job by teenagers for extra money, stereotypically, but not necessarily, by girls. Babysitting can be quite lucrative in some countries, but rates vary considerably according to the location. According to Runzheimer International's Mobility Report, average hourly rates in September 2005 in the United States of America are $6.04. In New York City, the average is $11.08, whereas in some places in the U.S., the average is $2.90.^[1] Babysitters are often employed on Friday and Saturday nights when parents wish to go out. A babysitter is distinguished from a nanny by the term of employment; while some parents may have a regular babysitter they can call on at need, the sitter is normally contracted one night at a time, while a nanny is employed over an extended period of time.

Babysitters can range in age, tending to be in their teens, ages 13-18, yet it is not uncommon for students in their 20's to take on a babysitting job as a part time job. The type of work for babysitters also varries, from watching a sleeping child, to playing games, cooking, or even driving, depending on the agreed upon terms.

The Red Cross Babysitter's Course offered in many cities is a good way to prepare for a babysitting job and to market oneself.

The term "baby-sit" (from "baby" plus the agent form of "sit") first appeared in 1937, and its short-form "sitter" is attested from 1943. ^{[citation needed]} The use of the word "sit" to abbreviate "to baby-sit" is recorded from 1800. The term probably originated from the action of the caretaker "sitting on" the baby in one room, while the parents were entertaining or busy in another.

In some countries various organizations produce courses for babysitters, mainly focusing on child safety and first aid appropriate for infants and children.

International variations in definition

In British English the term refers only to caring for a child for a few hours, on an informal basis and usually in the evening when the child is asleep for most of the time. In American English the term can include caring for a child for the whole or most of the day, and on a regular or more formal basis, which would be described as childminding in British English.

In India babysitters are known as "aya" hired on a contract basis to look after a child (usually after the birth of the child) regardless of the presence of the parents.

Slang

The term babysit can also be used to describe getting the best of someone, as in "Team A babysat Team B in the 54-7 game."

References

Notes

^ "What Will Childcare Cost You?". Mobility Report. Runzheimer International. Spring 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-21.

Bibliography

Miriam Forman-Brunell. Babysitter: An American History. New York University Press, June, 2009.

External links

A guide to the business of babysitting in the United States
Quality Child Care From University of Florida/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Factors in choosing quality child care.

[1] "What Will Childcare Cost You?". Mobility Report. Runzheimer International. Spring 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-21.

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