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Any advice for babysitting a toddler for 6 hours-ish?

Good friends of mine would like a reprieve so they can have their anniversary dinner. I’ve been a camp counsellor and was pretty good at it but those kids were all 6 years old, this one is 13 months old. Adorable kid but I figure maybe some folks here might have good ideas/thoughts/suggestions/crass jokes?

ChexMax ,

Not sure if you’re male or female, but just in case you’re male: when you change the little one’s diaper, make sure you only wipe front to back! My husband has never changed a diaper before (though he had lot of experience with kids) and now that we’re expecting a girl I was surprised to learn from other moms he wouldn’t know this without someone saying it explicitly. If she has a diaper with poop, start swiping to clean under her belly button and only ever go towards her bottom, always cleaning downwards! You can give her an infection if you raise her legs and swipe towards her front! Better to go through many wipes to get all of her completely clean from front to back.

Lauchs OP ,

Good advice, definitely important! I babysat her when she was even younger so have learned about the front to back but always good to have a reminder!

Admetus ,

Make sure you know location of diapers, wet tissues, milk, bottles and method of warming milk and extra clothes. Check diaper regularly, especially if they start grunting or screwing up their face. Usually they’ll pong straight away. Get them to drink water regularly (they don’t have the habit yet) and see if they want warm milk every couple of hours. A bath is entertaining but be prepared for more prep with towel, more clothes and talcum powder and whatever. And weather permitting they might not want to stay wet for long.

Krulsprietje ,

Chloroform… just kidding good luck!

LemmyKnowsBest ,

Play with those soft duplo stacking blocks. Play with stuffed animals. Build a fort. Sing songs. Piggyback rides. Read colorful thick page toddler books. Puppet shows. Snack time. Dance to music.

Lauchs OP ,

Great ideas!

Pinklink ,

Do not sit them on a couch, no matter how confident in their equilibrium you are. Did this once and kid rolled forward smacking head on coffee table. Kid probably fine today, but I will never be the same.

Lauchs OP ,

Oh boy, good warning! I was thinking we might watch some hockey together so that’ll have to be done quite carefully if at all.

ouRKaoS ,

This is the reason for all the throw pillows. You take them off the couch and place them strategically in areas where the kid could roll/fall.

At 13 months this works; at 18 months the daredevil gene kicks in and the kid will dive from the couch to make sure the cushions work…

Lauchs OP ,

Ooooooh, I love this! (The 13 month non daredevil version. For 18 months, I’m thinking duct tape.)

RootBeerGuy ,
@RootBeerGuy@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

Heh “probably”…

dbilitated ,
@dbilitated@aussie.zone avatar

…com.ng/…/1AEMWW9K8-dog-tie-out-stake-and-cable-f…

thank me later 😊

pectoralis ,

Bubbles.

lingh0e ,

Put on Bluey.

Globulart ,

This is true whether kids are around or not to be fair…

Ambiorickx ,

I can’t stress how important this is: babysitting does not, in fact, involve sitting on baby.

Lauchs OP ,

Well, that is a very misleading term then!

BennyInc ,

https://feddit.de/pictrs/image/b9f2e8ca-7148-4ffa-adec-7b4e634a33da.jpeg

Rivalarrival ,

NyQuil.

(/s)

PlutoniumAcid ,
@PlutoniumAcid@lemmy.world avatar

I see it’s a joke but that is nowhere near funny.

Rivalarrival ,

Ok, Karen.

Helix ,

Don’t let them drink bleach and you should be fine. Play Dad Simulator to prepare.

PowerCrazy ,

I have a 19mo/old and I’ll say at 13 months they are still taking naps and sleeping early so it won’t be that bad. They are probably walking, but not very well, they are probably not interested in videos yet. You will spend most of your time feeding them, or them sleeping depending on what time the parents are doing their anniversary dinner.

I’d expect if it’s a proper anniversary dinner, the kid will be sleeping for almost all of it. So you shouldn’t have to worry too much.

Lauchs OP ,

That is all reassuring, thanks!

grabyourmotherskeys ,

Good point. Do not mess with the sleep schedule!

originalucifer ,
@originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com avatar

13m is dangerous. theyre just getting mobile, and thats when watching them gets a bit tougher.. i bet this one will be wobbly on 2, but lightning on its knees. watch for it.

this particular age was fun because they are easily amused, easily startled, easily confused and if theyre in the right mood, they love all of it.

infants/toddles generally get upset for very few reasons so a good short list to run through is 'change diaper -> food -> tired -> bored' constantly if they get fussy.

id prolly plan a bunch of diff toy sessions, a quick trip to the park after which theyll nap like hell and by the time they get up and likely eat again its time to go.

Lauchs OP ,

I lile that cycle plan, great idea, thanks!

kersploosh ,
@kersploosh@sh.itjust.works avatar

It depends on how mobile and energetic the kid is. Mine were early walkers and had tons of energy, so I mostly remember physical games. The ideas below might be too much for some 13-month-olds.

Try making a very simple obstacle course game. Put pillows or couch cushions on the floor and crawl from one to the other. Maybe make it a race and count how many seconds it takes for the kid to get across all the cushions.

Stack pillows and cushions and let the kid knock them over. Or stack blocks and let the kid knock them over. If they enjoy it, repeat ad nauseam.

As someone else said, playing with water can be a big hit. Splashing in a warm, shallow bath could kill half an hour. Get a cup so you can scoop water and dump it to create a waterfall.

Get plastic cups and talk into them to make silly sounds.

Walk to a park or playground nearby.

Lauchs OP ,

These are great ideas! I’ve heard she likes smashing structures so I think you’re definitely on the right track.

Much appreciated!

orangeNgreen ,
@orangeNgreen@lemmy.world avatar

Hello. Proud parent of a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old here.

At 13 months, that kid is probably getting the hang of walking. They very well might not stop exploring for the entire time, other than a 1-2 hour nap or bedtime depending on what time you’re babysitting.

Ask the parents about nap/bedtime schedule, feeding schedule (they are likely still on a mix of bottle/milk plus food, though, maybe not), and if screen time is allowed. I’d imagine they’ll give you all that info without you having to ask, but you never know.

The key is to be aware. At 13 months, they might try to get into every drawer, cabinet, dog bowl, garbage bin, etc. they can find. They will also head straight toward any stairs you might have. Don’t let that kid out of your sight. Other than constantly trying to seek out danger, it shouldn’t be all bad.

Lauchs OP ,

You got it just right, she’s close to walking but mostly navigates by holding onto things and walking.

Some great thoughts here, thanks! (Though I suppose I will ask about screentime. My plan was to trick her into enjoying hockey but I suppose permission would be polite.)

constantokra ,

Be ready with your camera in case she takes her first unassisted steps then. You may get lucky and be the one who’s there for it.

Also, you might want to bring ear plugs. My kid (same age) has had a rough day with teething and gas and the screaming gets a bit much. You have to watch them way more closely with earplugs in, but it might just save your sanity.

If you hope they won’t do something (immediately crawl off, grab something specific, sneeze a mouthful of food in your face, reach their hand into the poop you’re cleaning off them) they’re totally gonna do it. As soon as it’s physically possible.

Basically as long as you keep her from getting hurt or mentally scarred you’re doing great, and as long as you pay attention you can manage that.

It’s going to mean a lot to them to have a few hours together without a baby around. Try to enjoy it. They grow so quickly, by the time you get a chance to do it again it’ll be completely different.

Lauchs OP ,

Ooooh, really good point on the camera. I’ll be the best babysitter ever if I can get those first steps on camera.

And you’re fully right on it being totally different. Months ago I babysat her but she couldn’t really move around on her own so while a bit scary wasn’t “be in your guard for escape attempts” daunting.

I’m excited though!

OnceADream ,

Consider mom and dad want to be there for first steps and might be happier if you kept quiet, lol

ChexMax ,

Best baby sitter ever probably does not film and never mentions any unassisted steps happened. Mom and Dad have been slaves to this kid for over a year and deserve to be there for first milestones (or at least believe they were there). Best babysitter swoops in and picks up the kid to prevent actual first steps so that way they don’t happen and no one has to lie

Lauchs OP ,

Good points.

grabyourmotherskeys ,

I forgot about the headlong charges at stairs.

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