Help please baby sitting

borkid

Crafty things could get messy and I guess you'll be the one cleaning up. How about some simple origami, no glue and you could pre cut the squares or even turn it into a maths lesson and get them to cut their own. You'd still only have one piece of paper per finished object to tidy up unless ofcourse you make that one into a game as well.

Don't make paper aeroplanes though , something gentle like flowers or birds.

I second reading, try a mixture of them reading to you, their books from school and you reading to them. Or cats cradle you might have to teach them this but then they could play together whilst you make a drink or something.

jamesperrett

Our 6 year old lad has just discovered wool - give him a ball of it and he'll spend days finger knitting or making something out of it.

unholyangel

borkid wrote: »

Crafty things could get messy and I guess you'll be the one cleaning up. How about some simple origami, no glue and you could pre cut the squares or even turn it into a maths lesson and get them to cut their own. You'd still only have one piece of paper per finished object to tidy up unless ofcourse you make that one into a game as well.

Don't make paper aeroplanes though , something gentle like flowers or birds.

I second reading, try a mixture of them reading to you, their books from school and you reading to them. Or cats cradle you might have to teach them this but then they could play together whilst you make a drink or something.

Its all fun & games until someone loses an eye?

onlyroz

If you are feeding them then something like a make-your-own-pizza can be good fun, with some ready-made bases and then they choose their own toppings. Then watch a film together. If you can persuade them to get into their PJs before the film then you could say that you'll read them a story if they'll get into bed.


As for a 10pm mid-week bed time for a 5-year-old, I have no words...

borkid

unholyangel wrote: »

Its all fun & games until someone loses an eye?

Wasn't thinking of that they get very excited with paper aeroplanes I was thinking of something to keep them calm.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Are babysitters really expected to feed and change the kids, and bring their own craft materials?

In my day (as a teenager being paid £1 per hour) they would say hello and have a quick chat with me, then be sent upstairs either straight to bed or to play quietly in their rooms if old enough to go to bed without supervision. I was just there in case of fire/accident/illness etc.

Tabbytabitha

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

Are babysitters really expected to feed and change the kids, and bring their own craft materials?

In my day (as a teenager being paid £1 per hour) they would say hello and have a quick chat with me, then be sent upstairs either straight to bed or to play quietly in their rooms if old enough to go to bed without supervision. I was just there in case of fire/accident/illness etc.

Agreed, but the OP seems to have been roped in for unpaid childminding rather than babysitting.

Fireflyaway

Good luck! I'm in bed myself by 10pm !
I'd say something non messy like colouring and then watch a film to wind down and then go to bed. Its unfair to expect some super exciting entertainment to be laid on. If the kids moan then tough! You are there to ensure they are safe and have a bit of fun, not to feel pressure to be really creative. You don't want them getting hyper and silly so I would avoid cake at that time of night.