20 Things Your Babysitter Secretly Wants You to Know

When a toddler is having a tantrum…

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…my favorite trick is to stay calm, get down at their level, and start talking really softly. They’ll quiet down just so they can hear what I’m saying. Check out these 11 more ways to stop toddler tantrums in their tracks.

Stop coddling

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Let him cry it out in the crib. Don’t cook her a separate meal if she doesn’t like what you’re serving. And never, ever give in when they whine. Parents, take note: These are 20 things your babysitter thinks about you (but won’t say to your face).

Sources: Kate Jenson, a babysitter in Chicago; Kathryn Poeschl, a babysitter in San Mateo, Calif.; Emily Levitan, a babysitter in Marin County, Calif.; a babysitter in Charlotte, N.C.; Lynn Perkins, founder of urbansitter.com; and Rachel Charlupski, founder of The Babysitting Company