Now that I’m home for the summer (and beyond), I am finally able to get back to doing what I love…babysitting! Now, some people may laugh and snicker because this isn’t a “real job” (don’t get me started on the guy who told me I had to get a real job…and once I did, I made less and had less fun than sitting), but I really find it to be an enjoyable use of my time. I have always loved kids and being around them gives me a new perspective on life.
Things have become a bit more complicated in the babysitting department since my accident. I can’t be the super-cool babysitter who takes the kids out for ice cream…because I can’t drive. Even if I drove with my left foot, I would be hesitant to take the kids anywhere. In fact, when I do babysit, I have to ask either my parents or the kids’ parents for a ride, so that has made things interesting. But, somehow, I make it work. Sometimes I wonder why someone would ever ask me to sit for them when clearly I’m not the best pick, but I feel incredibly grateful to the people who do choose to look beyond my disability and still trust me to take care of their kids.
So, how does babysitting work, crutch-style? Well, many things are the same (play games, color, etc), but some activities need to be modified.
Here’s how I make it work:
-Choose activities that don’t require a ton of moving around, or be prepared if a lot of walking might be involved. Activities such as bike riding may prove to be difficult if the kids pedal faster than you can crutch, so opting for a walk or a trip to the park may be a better choice.
-Tell the kids what you need. I know that sounds weird since you’re supposed to be watching out for them, but if they know not to touch your leg or throw things at you, they’ll usually be careful to follow through with the directions. The kids I watch are so great about being mindful of my leg.
-Ask for help if needed. I babysit for a family with a baby, so I usually have to ask the older kids to help me if he needs to be carried somewhere. While I can carry things on crutches, I don’t think it’s safe to risk a fall while holding a sweet baby.
-Put safety first…for everyone. Don’t put yourself or the kids in a situation that could be dangerous. Carrying a baby is one example, but there are other instances when you need to do a check to make sure everything is safe. Common sense, people.
-Have fun! That’s the main thing. If you have fun and watch out for the safety of the kids and yourself, you’re almost guaranteed to have a successful time.
You see, crutches don’t have to stop you from doing what you want to do. I cannot even express my appreciation toward the families who still accept me, even though I’m a bit different now. I used to think that the crutches would mean that I’d be automatically thrown out of the “babysitter lists,” but we’ve all adjusted and made things work. Crutches do not mean that it is impossible to still do the things you love, you just might have to do them a bit differently 🙂
College on Crutches 