My friend asked me if I could watch her 5 year old for a few hours because she had some last minute work thing and I was like sure how hard can it be right so I don’t have kids but I figured out cartoons and snacks would do the job. The first hour was fine. We watched cocomelon lane on netflix and i gave him some juice and snacks so everything is fine then out of nowhere this kid goes crazy. He starts sprinting around my apartment screaming about being a superhero and climbs onto my couch and launches himself off it like he’s trying to take flight. I was trying to get him to sit down but he’s just too fast and I was too confused like I just didn’t know what to do. He somehow even found my toothbrush and started banging it against the floor while yelling something about dragons or some shit. I genuinely considered calling my friend and telling her to come get him immediately. By the time my friend came back the place was a disaster and I was sweating like crazy and her kid was calmly eating crackers on the floor like nothing happened. I don’t know how parents do this every day.
tl:dr I watched my friend’s 5 year old, he turned my place upside down for hours and when she came back he was just quietly eating crackers like nothing happened
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I mean, how do parents even manage that kind of chaos… it’s like they’ve got some kind of secret superpower or something.
Kids that age are just feral and there’s a very real chance that even without the sugar from the juice he could have been doing some crazy nonsense. I don’t have children but I’m told I’m good with them and it’s only because I work with drunk people and there are a lot of transferable skills there.
I’m sure you’re friend was very grateful! You’re a good pal.
This is what 5 year old’s do. Stop complaining and never babysit again.
Parents are superheroes fr. Next time water down the juice lol
TL;DR: today a child acted like a child and I was so surprised.
People here blaming the sugar don’t understand 5 year olds.
They have a secret cold fusion reactor that activates at unexpected times and must be managed with an appropriately matched activity or it will consume the containment apparatus holding it.
This is predictable. Watching TV might keep their attention, but it doesn’t tire a kid out or engage them physically. Kids want to play. So do adults, we just grind it out of them. They also aren’t good at emotional recognition. Do you have something to dig? a ball to throw? Being the sports announcer while a kid wrestles a stuffed animal is cool. I’ve let kids give me “tattoos” with markers (act like it’s scary and you want them to reassure you.) Obviously nobody wants a kid to get hurt, but play is important for their health. You could even do a workout game or video with them.
You didn’t know. Now you know! reflect on what being a kid was like for you!
Sounds like he just needed to get some energy out after sitting still for an hour. Kids can’t just lounge around all day, they need to move around.
If you ever choose to watch kids again, have an activity or two planned that helps them move. There’s a lot of “brain breaks” or “go noodle” shorts on youtube that help them exercise. Or play a game like Simon says or red light green light. Maybe have coloring/drawing supplies or kinetic sand/playdough or google how to make ooblek. Or plan a walk to a nearby park or swingset. That’s how parents manage.
your first mistake was letting him come to you
Kids sense your stress and react to that. The worst thing a kid can feel is that there is no one in control. You were a new babysitter so he was probably already feeling nervous, and then you didn’t know what to do when he got disruptive.
It’s hard to remember, but kids need a sense of security and safety because they recognize that they can’t control anything. If you feel anxious, and insecure they will pick up on that and because they don’t have emotional regulation or the language to express it, they’ll act out in other ways.
This goes for babies and kids of all ages.
Kids also have a need to move and let loose. Going to the park or playing a game is a good way to get them centered again.
If you ever babysit again, remember: I am the grown up and I am in charge! Take some deep breaths and try to lower your voice an octave, speak slower, and lower the volume a bit. Be decisive and lean into your plan. If they get destructive, distract with an activity. You’ll learn with experience what kinds of activities are interesting and what can just wind a kid up more.
You did a tough job and I bet your friend was really thankful. Even if you don’t interact with kids often, learning how to talk to and manage kids is a pretty great skill to have.
This is what kids do sometimes. Also, the sugar has nothing to do with it.
Sugar, dye, and Cocomelon crack will make any kid crazy.
Thank god I never had kids.
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I am so thankful I had low energy kids who would sit and draw. Maybe do a little outdoor rec, but none of this hyperactive crap. Maybe they just matched my energy.
I was a daycare teacher. I would not be in a classroom above 2 years olds for this reason and especially not the pre k class. The boys are too much.
Lmao parents will do the adult voice and calm that down. Respect for helping out bruh!
Secret weapon: take the kid outside and let them run around.
Heh heh. Yeah, kids’ll do that. nods politely in jaded parent
If you ever find yourself in this situation again, you have to redirect. Give kiddo somewhere to put all that energy like a game or activity. Tell them what they CAN do and make it fun. If all else fails, just go outside. Kids are tough but you can hack them, especially for short periods.
Next time take the kid to the park/pool. Let him run around with other kids his age and get rid of some of that energy.
No you didn’t FU, they just go off randomly like that from about 2-5 years (that’s extremely approximate, and can happen any time between crawling and adulthood). Child had a great time by the sound of it, mom didn’t have to worry for a few hours and you… well, you survived. Well done! I hope you’re all cleaned up and calmed down now.
If you need anything for the future look for kid dance/exercise stuff on YouTube. Look now and have some saved in case of future babysitting emergencies.
The kid likely just needed to get some energy out, they had quiet time and a snack so now it’s go time.
Give them some toddler dancing to do and that entertains and helps them, do it with them, kids fucking love it when adults join in with silly shit.
Or if your home is safe enough play hide and seek because it’s so fucking cute hearing them giggle while they hide. You will know where they are, so pretend you don’t and look other places and say shit like “where could they be? Are they under this cushion? Aah no, not there, I wonder where they are?”
Half the time they will jump out and say “I’m here!”
Funny af.
This reminds me of the one time my childfree aunt reluctantly agreed to watch a friend’s child. She’s a dog person. She use to raise show dogs from puppyhood so her friend said that puppy’s are a lot of work just like toddlers so my aunt should be able to watch one for a few hours, right? My aunt isn’t convinced, but wants to help her friend so she agrees. So the kid was drawing or something, my aunt sits down to read a book. She then looks up from her book to see the child on TOP of the lattice work on the porch, very precariously hanging over the edge. She demands that the child come down this instant, which of course the child refuses. My aunt has no idea of what to do, doesn’t want to pull the child down because they might fall, and finally just asks if they want ice cream, and if they come down now they can have all the ice cream they want. So her friend eventually returns to find my very worn out looking aunt watching the child who is sitting at the kitchen table with an almost empty half gallon of ice cream and a spoon. My aunt kindly explained that their child was lovely, but that she would be unable to assist in childcare in the future.
Cocomelon is even worse for kids than sugar
If you do it again take them to a playground to run off their energy.
Sounds exactly like a cat who got the zoomies.
This is my toddler every day. On the scale of toddler-ness, he is whatever the highest number is 😂😭😂 I love him, but holy cannoli he never stops running or wreaking havoc.
That kid hit you with the chaos to angel speedrun 😂
As a parent. Thank you for your sacrifice.
As a side, Cocomelon is super stimulating. Chances are that this kid would be rambunctious regardless, but if you get the opportunity to do it again, consider putting on a non-stimulating show instead. (It’s seriously worked wonders for my kids.)
Sometimes you just have to run it out of them. Beware of sudden bursts of energy when watching young ones.
Be careful your friend doesn’t start asking you on the regular….
Hmm.. to be honest, it doesn’t sound very typical. I have two kids and I have friends with kids.
Is the kid in a daycare? Or is he typically home with his mother? Is she the “boys will be boys” type of a parent?
Was he reacting to you talking to him during this “episode”. Or was “in the zone” ignoring you completely? Was he doing stuff and waiting for your reaction? And then doing more unexpected damage once you reacted negatively?
If so, that is something to be discussed with the child’s pediatrician.
If he was just “having a lot of energy” but not doing anything unusual, next time I would suggest setting a couple basic rules at the beginning of the stay – feet on the ground (not jumping on the furniture), ask before touching anything that is not a toy (like your toothbrush), indoor voices only, etc.
5 years old should early understand that there are different rules in different spaces. What is allowed at his home, may not be allowed at someone else’s home (yours). Same as he would not be allowed to do all that at his daycare or school.
I find it easier to deflect their energy into something, than it is to “get them to sit down”. When you ask them to calm down, they have no idea what to do with all of their energy to do so, and so the instructions just don’t compute and get ignored. You might as well ask him to stop being hungry.
Next time, try making a pillow fort, or getting him to set records on how fast he can run around the yard if you can’t match his energy level.
you resorted to cocomellon in less than an hour
Lol pro tip for next time, you have to channel that energy into something that you can control. 5 year olds aren’t gonna hang out; they have zero chill. “Oh you like dragons? Well I’m a big dragon and you must defeat me with this Magic Pillow!” And then roar a lot and let him chase you. You’ll be exhausted after but it sure beats floor germs on your toothbrush. 🤣
If there’s a next time, take the kid outside. It’s like puppies. “Do you want to go to the park?! Let’s count how many squirrels there are on the way!”
For what it’s worth, you didn’t do anything wrong; they’re just like that at that age.
Ahhh, he got the zoomies.
I love that small child explosive energy. I’ll baby sit for my ex and her 5y/o will often just be chilling. Until suddenly, she’s a maniac. Maybe not as bad as this situation, but it’s close. The best part is all the babbling she does. It’s almost all nonsense punctuated by sudden lucidity and right back to nonsense.
I took the two kids to the beach a couple weeks ago and then we got ice cream. She wanted two scoops of super man. Who am I to say no? It was 93°F and very humid.
By the time we walked the 12ft from the ice cream windows to the picnic table, she she was covered in melted ice cream.
And the it was off to a splash park. That girl ran around like a maniac for about 10 solid minutes, made two friends, they all ran around for a minute and then we went home. Where she crashed withing minutes.
I never want my own kids, but watching them here and there is so much fun
Except for dinner. The 10y/o always wants fish eyes
Cocomelon was potentially the culprit. Google something like “cocomelon makes my kid act crazy” and check it out. It’s wild how one show can be so stimulating and leave kids so whacked out.
He got the zoomies
Elaine?
Cocomelon is literally crack for them and you’re surprised they were poorly emotionally regulated? Y’all.
Them snacks he had gave him a nice sugar rush apparently
What did you expect? That’s normal behaviour for a 5 year old, they have a lot of energy and can’t just sit still for hours on end.
Your friend could have done a better job getting the willies out of their child.
If you plan on doing it again, I’d ask that your friend get those willies out prior to you watching him.
So essentially you kept him still and quiet with tv, juice and snacks. How could you know that this is the exact formula a sugar fueled rampage? In the future, half an hour of tv, protein snacks and a walk or trip to the park will have a better outcome.
Pro Tip: Tire them out, feed them, enjoy nap.
Tv is a temporary measure children need physical activity, a local park was what you needed
your goal has to be to tire them out without tiring yourself out. We used to have ours jump on a mini trampoline when it was raining outside. You have to make a game out of them using up energy. Count the number of jumping jacks they can do, tell them it is training to be a super hero.
Ever think about taking the kid to the park?
sounds like the child ingested lots of sugar and got wound up
When that happens take kid outside and let him runaround all he wants…till the sugar high wears off.
Yeah, that’s why TV is bad for kids. you should have interacted with him.
Juice used to give my kids boundless energy. Stopped giving them sugar drinks and they were able to control themselves better.
Mostly my son wanted to play with Legos and my daughter needed to do art.
If you have something that thet love to do it’s easy to get their attention.
“No Capes!”
Never put a cape on a kid. It brings out the superhero in them.
>I don’t know how parents do this every day.
As a parent of a 5 and 2 year old. I don’t know how we manage either some days. But there are, among all the craziness and chaos, moments that make it all worth while.
This honestly just sounds like 5yo behavior. Especially since you gave him rest, snacks, and no physical outlet for his energy in, what I assume is, an unfamiliar environment. If you really feel like this behavior was excessive and out of the ordinary or the child was violently lashing out (like scratching to draw blood levels) maybe ask the parent to look into red food dye sensitivity. I know a lot of people harp on the whole red 40 thing, and I’m no expert there, but I have met several children with genuine, diagnosed sensitivity. They’re normal kids with normal energy, but the second they eat red dye (in snacks, drinks, candies, anything) they become completely out of control monsters.
Typical afternoon with a kid. Now add multiples if you really wanna live dangerously.
I sit for my friend’s kids. The 8 yo is basically a teenager and did her own thing. The 4 yo is A LOT. Sometimes I tell her to run to the other side of the yard or house to show me how fast she is. And I keep telling her so that I can sit down for ten minutes. As long as I say, that was so fast, she’ll keep doing it.
hah..hahhaahah..laughing in single parent with 3 kids under 10
There is a reason parents take their kids to the park to play almost every day; it gives the kids an outlet for all that energy.
Kids are awesome fun but exhausting, ESPECIALLY when you’re fighting them. Pro tip: kids playing with other kids is an extremely effective way to minimize your required effort. Playdates are awesome for this reason, but beware when your kid is over tired as things can spiral quickly.
Hahahaha… you let a 5 year rest (in taking sugar) and build up explosive kid energy. Haha too funny.
Especially little boys, they play through physical activity. I bet he slept well – at home with his mom haha.
As a parent you quickly learn your kids patterns and needs. Don’t be afraid but great lesson and post
If you ever have to watch him again, take him to the park! Bring snacks, sunscreen and water and pick a park with a bathroom. The thing about kids is that when they’re in a new space it seems like they forget all the rules, especially when there’s not a kid specific area.
Grow up, moron. If you can’t figure out how to wrangle a baby, good luck to you. You should never breed. Dweeb.
Considering how illiterate the OP is; stay away from kids.
It’s called playing with kids. The kid wasn’t “going crazy”. The kid was playing. It’s normal. If the kid is doing something you don’t like, you redirect that energy. Something like “that toothbrush isn’t a dragon, this other thing is a better dragon”
You needed a plan. 5 hours with a 5 year old is not the same as 5 hours with a gold fish.
First, a trip to the local park, preferably one with a playground, or better yet a zoo. But at minimum a long walk. At least an hour trip, preferably 2.
Next, a shop trip. Preferably a book shop. Spend as much time in the shop as possible before the child becomes bored. Pick out 1 book/board game.
Next, home to read the book/play the game.
Take note, no sugar to this point. We should be at hour 3/4.
Now, to cook dinner. Involve the child. Set the table, plan the meal. Time the cooking. Serve the meal. Wash the dishes & clean the kitchen, involving the child in every aspect even though you could do it all in half the time without the “help”.
By now child’s should be exhausted & ready to settle into some quiet time watching TV until mom gets home.
Child care is not easy, never has been, never will be.
Hahahahahahahah, sounds like my 5 year old nephew 😂 that’s why I’m not staying alone with him until he’s older!! Hahahah, you still did great tho, trust me!
kids have enough energy to light up the entire town. Doubly so if its a boy. Boys are known to be absolute bonkerz. But my girl proved its not a gender thing. even girls can cause ultimate chaos. smh. even the sound of a chaotic and excited child gives me ptsd now and makes wanna lock myself into my bedroom.
lol you are a lovely friend. :). And now you know ! We babysat all three little grandsons Sunday and Monday. I took a dozen activities. A huge bag of snacks. (Used about 1/3 of so dil has had a fun week!)
Tuesday I did nothing except sit in my chair with dog.
Water only.
Juice has sugar and kids go fing nuts with juice.
I’ve got a lot of child care experience. Believe me, you could of had it worse.
I remember being woken up once as a teenager, by my little cousins. As the youngest one took a steak knife out of the drawer, and was threatening the other kids with it. Of course there was no knife when I got there. Where were the parents/adults responsible for us kids? Outside shooting the breeze and chain smoking cigarettes.
HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU? You’re babysitting a 5 year old and suddenly he yells ITS TURBO TIME!!! AND HE STARTS RUNNING AROUND ALL OVER YOUR HOUSE JUMPING ON THE FURNITURE AND YOU TRY TO JOIN IN AND THEY SAY “NO!!! YOU’RE NOT A PART OF THE TURBO TEAM!”
No, No you didn’t.
It’s coco melón.