Sitter Scenarios: What Would You Do?
- SMARTSITTER Team
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Babysitting isn’t always straightforward—sometimes you find yourself in unexpected situations that test your quick thinking and skills. Whether you're a new sitter or a seasoned pro, encountering tricky moments is part of the job.
We’ve gathered some common (and not-so-common) sitter scenarios to get you thinking: What would you do?
Ready to put your sitter skills to the test? Let’s dive in!
Scenario 1: The Toddler Won't Stop Crying 😭
You’ve arrived, and the 2-year-old is inconsolable, and won’t stop crying despite all your usual soothing tricks. What’s your best move?
a) Keep singing and rocking until they calm down
b) Change the environment and call parents if needed
c) Ignore and hope they stop soon
Click to Reveal Answer
b) Change the environment and call parents if needed.
Toddlers can get overwhelmed and sometimes just need a change of scenery to reset their mood. Moving to a quieter room or stepping outside can help calm them down. If the crying continues or feels unusual, it’s important to notify the parents to keep them informed. Remaining calm and patient is key to soothing young children.
Pro Tip: Always ask parents ahead about comforting methods or routines for when kids are upset—it helps a ton!
For more expert tips on managing toddler tantrums, see: The American Academy of Pediatrics guide on tantrums |
Scenario 2: Older Kids Fighting Over a Game 🎮
Two siblings, ages 8 and 10, are arguing over a board game, and tensions are rising. What do you do?
a) Take the game away and tell them to stop
b) Mediate fairly, encourage turns, or switch activities
c) Let them figure it out themselves
Click to Reveal Answer
b) Mediate fairly, encourage turn-taking, or switch activities.
As a sitter, your role is to promote fairness and cooperation, not just enforce rules. Guiding children to take turns or suggesting a break with a different activity helps reduce conflict and teaches valuable social skills. Praising positive behavior encourages them to resolve disputes constructively.
Learn more about managing sibling rivalry from the Child Mind Institute’s tips. |
Scenario 3: The Power Goes Out 🔦
The lights suddenly go out during a storm, leaving you in the dark. What’s your best response?
a) Panic and wait for the parents to come home
b) Let kids roam freely until power returns
c) Ensure safety, gather flashlights, and keep kids calm
Click to Reveal Answer
c) Ensure safety, gather flashlights, and keep kids calm.
Your priority is keeping everyone safe and calm during an unexpected outage. Gather flashlights or battery-powered lamps if available, avoid hazards like candles if possible, and keep children engaged in quiet activities. Contact the parents immediately to update them on the situation.
For safety tips during power outages, visit the Red Cross power outage safety page. |
Scenario 4: A Child Has a Minor Injury 🩹
A child scrapes their knee while playing. What do you do?
a) Clean and bandage the wound, then notify parents
b) Tell them to tough it out and keep playing
c) Ignore it unless they start crying
Click to Reveal Answer
a) Clean and bandage the wound, then notify parents.
Promptly treating minor injuries helps prevent infection and reassures the child. Clean the scrape with water, apply an adhesive bandage, and inform the parents so they’re aware and can provide follow-up care if necessary.
Review first aid basics at the Mayo Clinic’s guide to treating minor cuts and scrapes. |
Scenario 5: Child Refuses to Eat Dinner 🍽️
The 4 year old you're watching refuses to eat their dinner and starts getting upset. What’s your best approach?
a) Insist they finish everything on their plate before doing
b) Offer small bites, stay calm, & try to make mealtime fun
c) Let them skip dinner and move on to the next activity
Click to Reveal Answer
b) Offer small bites, stay calm, and try to make mealtime fun.
Forcing a child to eat can cause mealtime stress and resistance. Instead, stay calm and patient. Offer small, manageable bites and encourage eating through positive reinforcement. Making mealtime engaging — like talking about the food or using fun utensils — can help ease anxiety and improve cooperation.
Learn more about healthy mealtime habits and handling picky eaters from HealthyChildren.org’s feeding tips. |
Why Thinking Through Sitter Scenarios Matters
Babysitting means being ready for anything. Handling unexpected situations confidently is what sets great sitters apart and makes you a trusted caregiver parents can count on. At SmartSitter, our training programs cover real-world sitter scenarios like these so you can feel ready, calm, and capable no matter what happens.
Ready to Become a SmartSitter Pro?
Whether you’re just starting or want to polish your skills, our exclusive training courses are designed to prepare you for every babysitting scenario — from handling sibling squabbles to emergency preparedness.
➡️ Explore more about our training and join a network of confident, trusted sitters at SmartSitter Locations.
🏠 And if you’re a parent looking for sitters who can handle these real-life moments with ease, check out STLSITTER, JAXSITTER, or ATLSITTER to find your next sitter who’s trained and ready.
Join the Conversation!
Have you faced a tricky babysitting situation? What did you do?
💬 Drop your stories or questions below—we’d love to hear and share tips from our sitter community!
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