Working With Little Kids

[SmokyChica]

How many of you guys work with little kids? I do and I am EXTREMELY awkward with it because well I'm not great with kids. Any advice?

[Luminous]

I've been babysitting for 4 years. You need to be able to hold your own and say 'No', but also be a kid again and adapt to what they're doing and what they like. What exactly is it you're struggling with?

[ksdnfkfr]

I never spent much time around little kids until we moved and have little cousins around me a lot now. So far have not had any problems. One of them is a little overly rambunctious but no big deal. Usually if he starts getting on my nerves I say "stop!" and he simmers down.

[Magenta]

The thing with little kids is you have to treat them like adults in the sense that if they're telling you the sky is purple because lions told it to be, you take them damn seriously. Even if it's the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard, you're damn interested in what they have to say. Play along, make up nonsense with them.

You sometimes have to be more stern to get them to listen but I've noticed that the more you pay attention to them, the more likely they are to listen to you. Short of throwing a tantrum, then just wait until they've tired themselves out.

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

I am currently living with my three oldest niece and nephews (ages 8, 7 and 6)
and they mostly ask too many fucking questions and jump on me all the time, I love the little buggers, but they can be a bit annoying sometimes.

[Dying Ember]

I think you just need to get used to them. The more time you spend with them, the more comfortable you'll be around them.
I help little kids with swimming. Sometimes you have to be stern with them but otherwise try and get involved with them and have fun :)

[Horatio Nelson]

I have been baby sitting for the past 9 years. I have two younger siblings that I have to help everyday.

Like stated above, you have to be stern yet loving. But then again, each kid is different.

[CosmicNoodle]

I hate kids....

[Ben_Frost]

To work with kids you have to adapt to them, always make sure you keep an eye on them because it only takes one second of not paying attention for them to stick a fork in an outlet or for dumping a pot of boiling water over them. Make sure you know where they are all the time. Also think up of ways to keep them entertained and busy, otherwise they can wander off easily or wreak havoc because they're bored. And don't let them walk all over you, set limits.

[Body odah Man]

I hate kids....

Why?
@ OP
Good luck. You do have a lot of helpful posts here though

[CosmicNoodle]

Why?
@ OP
Good luck. You do have a lot of helpful posts here though

OP indeed. I just don't like them at all, no idea why. I just can't stand them

[Remora]

I work at a store and the customers' kids like doing any of these things:
climb on top of the little house we have outside
wear every single mask there is and don't put them back where they come from
walk behind the counter
take the example stuff with them
take the toys that they can play with whilst inside with them
take and look at cards a bit too furiously, then mashing them back into wherever they didn't come from
make annoying noises ;~;

i'm supposed to tell them they're not allowed/supposed to and i'm too shy to do that. i really need to get over that :c

[Croconaw]

I think some kids can be annoying.

[Body odah Man]

I think some kids can be annoying.

Same, but they do make you feel better at times in general sense

[Gray]

They can be annoying at times but you just gotta get used to it. Go and join watch over them and play with them a bit. When they have questions answer it to them seriously but if it's a PG-13 or above question just say that they're too young and sometimes you have to be a bit stern to them. I've been babysitting my niece and nephew who're both 1 and 4. Both of them are severely annoying but over time you get used to it. It's not their fault they're like that. They're just children. So enjoy and help them with something.

[Babs]

I briefly worked with kids between the ages of five and ten. I taught them how to swim. Most of them didn't listen very well, and I get that they were young and it was loud in the pool area but it was beyond frustrating.
My advice is have the utmost patience.

[ImagineRepublicCity]

I'm not sure how little you're talking about, but at my work place, my bosses daughter which is 3 is there.

Just make sure you're always smiling and always willing to do things with them. Some of them just like talking to you, even if it makes no sense and some of them really love getting picked up. Making strong connections with them too. Find out what they like to do with you and make sure you always do so. Whenever I leave work, my bosses daughter gives me a hi-five and a hug and we say bye 10 times.

If they are being naughty, don't get really frustrated, but don't get to "Aww, it's okay" Let them know what they did is wrong and be assertive about it.