spotlight
Y our tween might be asking for more independence, or maybe they’ve started taking interest in babysitting. But knowing when a child is truly ready can be difficult for parents to determine. Babysitting is more than snacks and cartoons. Junior League of New Orleans’ (JLNO) Safe Sitter program gives kids the real-world skills to safely care for themselves and others, from child care and emergency response to what to do when things don’t go according to plan. More Than Just Babysitting Safe Sitter has been around since 1980, with this year marking 46 years. JLNO offers the program locally, geared toward students in grades 6–8, generally ages 11–13. It’s a full day of learning, with classes kicking off in the morning and wrapping up in the late afternoon. Each session can welcome up to 32 students, with one trainer for every eight students. Rather than students simply sitting through a lecture, the training is hands-on. “They’re learning real-life situations and potentially things that they might face, and they’re being trained on how to deal with those situations and work through them in a really smart way,” explains Shelby Wynne, current president of the Junior League of New Orleans. From CPR to Communication Students learn how to prevent emergencies before they happen, practice CPR on a mannequin, learn what to do when a child is choking, and understand how and when it is appropriate to call 911. They also learn basic child care skills, like interacting with toddlers versus school- aged children, as well as communication skills. “One of the aspects of the program is role-playing,” explains Shelby. “Our certified trainers will teach our students how to accept a job opportunity or a babysitting opportunity…helping them understand those negotiation skills and what questions to ask.” JLNO’s Safe Sitter Program Has the Answer Is Your Kid Ready to Babysit? BY MADELINE PISTORIUS
“They’re just so proud that they’ve done this.
They have these new skill sets that they can demonstrate, not only for us but for their family. To see that arc throughout the day is really beautiful,” says Shelby.
By the end of the day, kids gain confidence from learning and practicing real skills, and they leave with a certificate of completion to show for it. Parents gain confidence knowing their child has received hands-on training and is better prepared to handle responsibility. “It really just allows their families, the families that their children have the opportunity to work with and babysit for, and the community as a whole to be safer,” says Shelby. The Lasting Impact This past league year, JLNO trained 190 students. Shelby explained that Safe Sitter Gold Status is awarded when an organization trains 126 students in a year, meaning JLNO exceeded that benchmark and hopes to train more than 200 students during the current league year. “It’s a full-circle moment,” explains Shelby. “It recognizes the hard work that the committees put in. It recognizes all the students and the kids that come through the class and that they took their time to learn and want to learn these skills.”
While Safe Sitter doesn’t necessarily declare that every 11-year-old is ready to stay home or babysit, it gives them an opportunity to build and demonstrate the skills that can help families make that decision. And for JLNO, the goal is to continue
making a positive impact on the community and helping
future generations. To learn more or register for an upcoming class, visit jlno.org.
Building Confidence for Kids and Parents Students might arrive sleepy, shy, or unsure—
especially if they don’t know anyone—but as the day goes on, Shelby sees those “aha” moments as they begin connecting the lessons to things their parents or grandparents might’ve already taught them.
10 OCTOBER 2026 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online