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Parents, What do you look for most in a babysitter?

Hi. I babysit for about 5 families who all say I am great. But, I want more cutomers. I thought that if I knew what parents liked I could improve my skills to get more families. Here are some of my qualities: mature, responsible, smart, witty, took the child/infant CPR and first aid course and the red cross and took a red cross babysitting course. Plus, I took another course on babysitting and Doctors Hospitable. Not to mention the numerous books I have read about it. Also, I have letters of recomendation. And experience with ages 6months through 9years. Anyway parents, please help me.
Plus, I live in Augusta, Ga, USA. and go to private school and go to catholic church!
I am 13 but I will be 14 in December!

Public Comments

1. You never said how old you are.

2. You must be patient at all times! Even parents lose their cool when their kids start to throw tantrums...sometimes it drives the nuts out of me and makes me wanna spank my kid. Most times I dont; I only do it if i really really have to. But, If i see the babysitter spanking my kid, it would drive me nuts, too...so yeah, you must be patient with the kids and treat them as your family, not as a source of income. (sorry, but some babysitters do that..they think parents arent aware coz they're not around most of the time. but, we got a special mommy-radar..i dunno, i just feel it when a babysitter isnt treating my kid well..)

3. That pretty much raps it up. Great resume!

4. My daughter is less than two years old, so I haven't really had to look for a babysitter. When I would babysit, I would bring stuff with me to entertain the kids and I always got down and played with them. It wasn't about sitting on the couch and making sure they didn't burn the house down. It was more like a playdate, and the kids always asked for me to babysit because they would have fun. That's what I will be looking for in a babysitter---someone who will interact with my child.

A "resume" or flyer would help get your name out there. I've seen signs at grocery stores where they let people in the community place ads. If you design it where the bottom of the flyer has your phone number printed, they can just grab your name and number as they walk by.

Oh, had another idea---print up some business cards and you can hand them out. Give some to your customers so they can hand it out to their neighbors and friends.

5. I teach the Red Cross babysitting and CPR classes, and am a parent of 4, so...

- I get most of my babysitter recommendations from my own friends, people at church, etc. Satisfied parents are a great reference.

- I like babysitters who are organized, who call to get preliminary details squared away (time, transportation, etc.), who apparently keep notes so when I call back they remember details of the situation, who have a resume ready to give me with their training, experience, and references I can call.

- I like babysitters who have formed small co-ops so if I call one and she is busy, she can refer me to her friend.

- I tell my students to ask their satisfied customers for names they can call who might need babysitters. This seems to be a good way to pick up more customers that you have some connection with. A quick phone call to these people can generate a lot of business.