"I babysit occasionally, and whenever I do, she becomes difficult as soon as her mother leaves. She refuses to get dressed, screams at me when I ask her to get ready, slams her door, and then calls her mom, crying about how terrible I am. Even when the day is planned in advance, there is drama. Her mom tells her to behave, but she does not. Her parents don't live together, and I see her play one against the other-she has learned to manipulate them."
"Eleven is a hard age for a lot of reasons, and babysitting for a kid that age is a no-win situation (unless you are a very, very cool 18-year-old she wants to be-or at least be just like someday). The particular problem with which you're coming to me will go away very soon, as before long, she won't need a sitter at all. (Does she actually need one now? Laws vary from state to state in the U.S., and children"
An 11-year-old can test authority and create drama when a parent leaves, refusing instructions, screaming, slamming doors, and calling the parent upset. Divorced parental arrangements and permissive gentle parenting can enable manipulation by leaning on different caregivers. A straightforward, calm grandparent may face resistance as the child exerts control. Age-appropriate independence may reduce the need for sitting, and brief periods alone are common for some children. Clarifying who wants the babysitting and why, setting clear expectations, and assessing actual need for supervision can reduce conflict and help manage behavior.
Read at Slate Magazine
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]