Back in the day, babysitting wasn’t just a way for teenagers to earn a little extra cash—it was practically a rite of passage. But looking back, the rules (or lack thereof) that babysitters followed were often questionable at best and downright shocking at worst. Parents had a very different idea of what counted as “acceptable” child care, and a lot of the common babysitting practices from the past would never fly today. Here are the old-school babysitting rules that sound absolutely ridiculous now.
1. “The Kids Are Asleep? Go Ahead and Invite a Friend Over.”
It wasn’t uncommon for babysitters to call up a friend—or even their boyfriend—and have them over once the kids were tucked in for the night. Some babysitters even turned the job into a mini social event, raiding the family’s pantry while chatting on the phone or watching TV. As long as the kids were sleeping, no one saw the harm in it. As seen on NappyValleyNet, this one’s actually a topic of heated debate.
Today, this would be a huge no-no. Babysitting is taken much more seriously, with strict expectations about staying focused and responsible. If parents found out their sitter was treating the job like a hangout, they’d be looking for a replacement fast.
2. “Don’t Call Unless It’s an Emergency—And It Better Be a Real Emergency.”
Back then, parents weren’t expecting check-ins or status updates. Babysitters were expected to handle things on their own, and calling the parents for anything less than a fire or a broken bone was seen as an inconvenience. Kids refusing to go to bed? Not an emergency. Spilled juice all over the carpet? Definitely not an emergency. No matter the norms, SitterNook has a breakdown of when the parents should definitely be called.
Nowadays, parents expect updates throughout the night—especially first-time babysitters. Texting and video calls have made it easy to check in, and many parents feel more comfortable when they know what’s happening at home. The idea of waiting hours with zero communication feels unthinkable today.
3. “Just Tell the Kids It’s Time for Bed—No Need to Actually Check If They Listen.”
For many babysitters, getting the kids to bed wasn’t about tucking them in and making sure they actually stayed there. It was more of a loose suggestion—tell them it’s bedtime, turn out the lights, and assume they’ll fall asleep eventually. If they wanted to stay up reading comics or sneaking snacks from the kitchen, that was their problem. Safe Sitter has some ideas for how to smoothly get the kids to actually count some sheep.
Modern parents wouldn’t dream of hiring a sitter who didn’t follow an actual bedtime routine. Today, babysitters are expected to ensure kids are actually asleep, not just left to their own devices. If a parent came home and found kids wide awake at midnight, it would be a serious issue.
4. “Go Ahead and Watch Whatever’s on TV—Even If the Kids Are Around.”
There wasn’t much concern about whether a babysitter’s choice of TV programming was appropriate for kids. If they wanted to watch a late-night crime show, a soap opera, or even a scary movie, they’d just turn it on—sometimes with the kids sitting right there. If the kids got scared or asked too many questions, they were told to “just look away.” With so many programs accessible now, Common Sense Media has some material about sharing screen time with anyone and things to keep in mind.
These days, parents have very clear rules about what is and isn’t appropriate for their children to watch. Babysitters are usually expected to stick to kid-friendly programming, and many homes have parental controls set up. Letting a kid watch something like Unsolved Mysteries before bed would be a sure way to never get hired again.
5. “If the Baby Wakes Up Crying, Just Let Them Cry It Out.”
Many babysitters were told that if a baby started crying in the middle of the night, they shouldn’t pick them up or try to soothe them. The thinking was that checking on them too much would “spoil” them, and eventually, they’d cry themselves back to sleep. If a sitter followed this rule too strictly, the baby might end up wailing for hours.
Today, most parents want their babysitters to be attentive and comforting. Ignoring a crying baby for an extended period would be considered neglectful. Now, there are detailed instructions on sleep routines, comfort strategies, and when to call the parents if a baby won’t settle down.
6. “Help Yourself to Anything in the Fridge—Even If It’s for the Parents.”
Babysitters in the past often got a free pass when it came to raiding the fridge and pantry. If they were hungry, they were encouraged to help themselves to whatever looked good—including the parents’ leftovers or their stash of snacks. Some sitters even helped themselves to fancy desserts or expensive treats meant for special occasions.
Today, many parents set clear guidelines on what the babysitter can and can’t eat. While they might leave out some snacks or offer a meal, it’s no longer assumed that a sitter can eat whatever they find. Eating the last slice of birthday cake or a parent’s favorite takeout leftovers would not go unnoticed.
7. “If You Have to Drive the Kids Somewhere, Just Take My Car.”
Some babysitters were given full permission to drive the family car—even if they had only had their license for a few months. Parents figured that if the babysitter could drive themselves to the job, they could handle running errands or taking the kids out for a treat.
This would be completely unheard of today. Parents now require babysitters to have their own car, insurance, and a spotless driving record before even considering letting them take kids anywhere. The idea of tossing a teenager the car keys with barely a second thought seems wild by today’s standards.
8. “Let the Kids Play Outside—Just Check On Them Once in a While.”
Once the kids were out the door, a babysitter’s job was basically done. Whether they were climbing trees, biking down the street, or playing in a creek, there was little expectation to closely supervise. Some babysitters just called out the window now and then to make sure no one was crying.
Today, a babysitter letting kids roam unsupervised would be seen as careless at best—and neglectful at worst. Parents now expect full supervision, whether it’s in the yard, at a park, or even just playing inside the house.
9. “Feel Free to Discipline Them However You See Fit.”
Babysitters were once given free rein to discipline kids however they wanted. If a child was misbehaving, the sitter might send them to bed early, take away privileges, or even resort to physical discipline if they thought it was necessary. Parents just expected the sitter to “handle it.”
Now, discipline rules are usually discussed in detail, and most parents have very specific guidelines. Babysitters today are expected to use gentle redirection, time-outs, or other approved techniques. Anything beyond that could lead to a very awkward conversation—or worse.
10. “Let the Kids Have a Little Wine If They Can’t Sleep.”
It sounds shocking now, but some babysitters were actually told that a little sip of wine or whiskey in a baby’s bottle would help them sleep. It was an old-school home remedy that, thankfully, faded out over time—but not before plenty of sitters took the advice to heart.
This would be absolutely unthinkable today. Parents now follow strict rules about child safety, and any babysitter who even joked about this would never get hired again.
11. “No Need to Write Anything Down—Just Wing It.”
Babysitters rarely got written instructions. Parents expected them to just figure things out, and details like bedtime routines, emergency contacts, or allergies were often communicated casually—if at all.
Now, parents leave detailed notes, contact numbers, and even specific schedules. Babysitters today wouldn’t dream of going into a job without at least some written guidelines.
12. “If the Parents Get Home Late, Just Sleep on the Couch.”
If parents were out past midnight, babysitters were sometimes told to just crash on the couch or in the guest room instead of waking up the parents. It wasn’t uncommon for sitters to wake up in the morning, groggily head home, and never think twice about it.
Today, parents usually have strict return times and keep in touch throughout the night. The idea of a babysitter casually sleeping over without planning ahead seems incredibly strange now.
Babysitting in the past was a completely different experience—one filled with loose rules, surprising freedoms, and, in some cases, serious risks. While some of these rules make for funny stories now, it’s probably for the best that babysitting has become much more structured and safety-focused!
