No matter how amazing you may be at babysitting, you’ll eventually care for kids who feel genuinely uncomfortable about having a caregiver. But, after years of babysitting, I’ve found that telling stories is one of the best tricks for calming kids’ nerves, snapping them out of a grumpy mood, and helping them warm up to me.
What types of stories, you may ask? Honestly, anything engaging will do. Sometimes, I make stories up as I go, adjusting the plot line to the child I’m taking care of, incorporating their favorite stuffed animals, and asking them for input.
But, believe it or not, the absolute best stories to tell are ones about babysitters. Hearing tales of other children who have babysitters will help kids feel at ease with their new situation, and help them understand that having a caregiver isn’t weird at all. In fact, it’s far more common than they probably realize.
And while P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins is the best known book on the topic, there are plenty of other great options to choose from, too. Here are my five go-to books I read to the kids I care for:
“Harriet the Spy” by Louise Fitzhugh
This is one of my favorite children’s books of all time. This book is especially useful for full-time nannies or babysitters, as Fitzhugh explores the complexity of the relationship between child and caregiver in depth. It’s an added bonus that Harriet — a precocious fifth-grader and aspiring writer — adores her nanny “Ole Golly,” who dutifully makes her tomato sandwiches every morning.
Double bonus: I’ve also used this book to encourage reluctant English students by getting them to take their own “spy notes.”
Reading Age: Good for readers in grades 3-8 — but I’ve had great luck reading this book aloud to kids in grades 1-2, too.
“Jim: Who Ran Away From His Nurse and Was Eaten by a Lion” by Hilaire Belloc
This poem from Belloc’s turn-of-the-century book, “Cautionary Tales for Children: Designed for the Admonition of Children Between the Ages of Eight and Fourteen,” may — at first glance — appear to be an odd recommendation for the modern-day caregiver. It may not be for everyone, and certainly not for kids who scare easily. My own mother recited Belloc’s cautionary tales to me, and I was totally enraptured by the hilarious tale. I have since memorized “Jim” myself, and it’s worked magic for me during babysitting jobs — both for entertaining the children I look after, and for reminding them to behave in public places.
Again, your audience has to have the right sense of humor for this one. However, most of the kids to whom I read this story are delighted to hear the rendition of a poem all the way through, and even ask me to recite it again and again.
The last line is golden: “And always keep a-hold of Nurse/For fear of finding something worse.” After I’ve recited “Jim” a few times to kids, I break out that line when they start misbehaving; it makes them laugh and — most times — nips any behavior issues in the bud.
Reading Age: Good for children and grown-ups of any age. Younger ones may not be able to understand, but they’ll appreciate the rhythm.
“Nurse Matilda” by Christianna Brand
In this collection of stories, an exceptionally unruly family of children has scared all of their babysitters away. That is, until Nurse Matilda comes along. She straightens them out by using an unconventional blend of counterintuitive disciplinary methods (e.g., forcing the kids to make an even bigger mess!) and magic. It’s a bit silly, like a quasi-modern fairy-tale, but a fun read — especially if the kids are a little on the unruly side themselves.
“What would Nanny McPhee say about this?” you can ask them, after they pour all of their Legos on the floor.
Reading Age: Good for ages 6-8.
“The Adventures of Nanny Piggins” by R.A. Spratt
This is a ridiculous — and ridiculously fun — book about a pig, who escapes from the circus to become a nanny. And let’s just say that a lot of chocolate cake is involved.
A word of caution: If the child’s parents are on the work-a-holic side, this may be a book to avoid. The author jokes about the parent not wanting to spend time with the children. It’s funny, but you may want to steer clear of it if you think that the comedy may hit a little too close to home for your audience. Or, if you’re reading the story aloud, just make sure to skip over those parts and simply have fun with the ridiculous nanny adventures this little piggy gets into.
Reading Age: Good for ages 6-8.
“The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This is a classic children’s book, beautifully written and a real treat to read aloud. Spoiled Mary Lennox is an easy character for kids to latch onto, and readers may find themselves slipping into character while speaking her lines. Kids will be spellbound as Mary’s character transforms, and as the mystery of the secret garden unravels. And while nannies don’t have a leading part in this story, they do play a strong supporting role.
A brief synopsis of the story: Mary has been raised entirely by her servants in India, until her nanny and parents die in a cholera epidemic. She is then sent to live with her uncle in England. There, Mary meets Martha Sowerby, her new maid, who eventually breaks her sour disposition and introduces her to Martha’s little brother Dickon. Dickon becomes Mary’s first friend and partner-in-crime as she uncovers the mysteries of her new home.
Reading Age: Great for readers in grades 3-8, and fun to read aloud to children in grades 1-2.
