I used to babysit as a teenager because i liked the extra pocket money..now i’m married with a couple of young kids and i’ll say a couple of rules/tips that i think make sense after seeing both sides of the story: –
(1) if you dont want the kids to be awake, ask the parents beforehand if the kids will be awake. If you don’t ask, don’t take for granted they wont be and dont get annoyed if they are – it’s your fault.
(2) Regarding food – as a teenager you don’t realise it, but now that i’m married and on a tight budget if you sit all evening and nash on packets of crisps and stuff – you’re adding a few dollars onto my bill for the night which i can’t afford. I get babysitters when i need to go out and i don’t expect to have to provide you with refreshments. If you’re hungry bring your own food with you. I very willingly provide drinks and a few biscuits but sorry – that’s as far as it goes.
(3) i always make sure to tell my babysitters whether they can use teh phone or not.
(4) If i am going to be more than FIVE MINUTES late i will call my babysitter beforehand. If i am on time i will not call before i am going to arrive because they should expect me back for the time specified and make sure to pack up and wake up beforehand.
(5) I always ask my babysitter what is the latest time they can stay till in the event that i may be a little later.
(6) If i know my kids have been difficult i will give a bit of extra money because even though i’m paying them to look after my kids i do want them to want to come back again and not be put off from me for life…good babysitters are hard to come by..
(7) I never did this and I dont expect babysitters to do this, but i did have one babysitter who used to clear up all the toys after the kids went to sleep. It felt amazing to come back to a tidy house after being out all evening. So babysitters if you’re ever really bored, you have no idea what a mitzva you are doing by taking 5 mins just to pick up a few toys and make the place look presentable. Again, i repeat you don’t have any chiyuv to so no need to get annoyed at me for making the suggestion but i’m just teling you how much mothers would appreciate it..