Caring for Others: Siblings, Children and Older Relatives

The lessons at a glance

1. Babysitting siblings and other children well

Looking after a younger brother, sister or a neighbour's child is one of the first real responsibilities many teenagers take on. Done well, it builds trust with families and teaches you calm, practical leadership.

• Babysitting is a real responsibility: the NSPCC advises a minimum age of 16.
• Ask about routines, allergies, rules and comfort items before parents leave.
• Never leave a baby or young child alone, even for a moment.
• Know your address and the UAE numbers 999, 998 and 997.
• Hand back with an honest summary of the time you spent together.

2. Child safety at home: seeing the house through a toddler's eyes

Young children explore everything with their hands and mouths. Most serious home accidents are preventable with a few simple checks that any older sibling can help with.

• Look at your home from a toddler's height.
• Lock away medicines and cleaning products; secure button batteries.
• A swallowed button battery is an emergency: hospital straight away, call 998.
• Restrict windows, lock balcony doors and anchor heavy furniture.
• Children under 10 sit in the back in the UAE; under 4 need a child seat.

3. Play, routines and calm behaviour with younger children

Younger children copy what they see. When you are calm, clear and playful, they usually follow your lead. These are the same tools parenting experts recommend to parents.

• Be specific and positive: say what to do, one step at a time.
• A few minutes of child-led play daily builds connection.
• Routines and warnings before changes prevent many battles.
• Redirect early, use calm consequences, never harsh punishment.
• Praise effort and kindness, specifically.

4. Helping older relatives: mobility, falls and dignity

In many GCC homes, grandparents live with or close to the family. Small, thoughtful help from younger relatives can keep them safer and more independent, as long as it is given with respect.

• Falls are a leading cause of injury death worldwide, and older adults are most at risk (WHO).
• Clear clutter, add light, and use non-slip mats and grab rails.
• Strength and balance exercise, eye tests and medicine reviews all help.
• Ask before helping and speak to older people as adults.
• After a fall, check for injury and call 998 if needed.

5. Tech help for grandparents: setting up safely and spotting scams

Helping an older relative video-call the family or pay a bill online is a lovely gift. Helping them recognise a scam call may be an even bigger one.

• Scammers impersonate banks, police and government, sometimes with cloned voices.
• No genuine bank or government body asks for your OTP, PIN or card code.
• Hang up and check using a number you find yourself.
• Teach by letting them do it, with large text and saved contacts.
• Make it safe to tell the family; anyone can be targeted.

6. Being a young carer: recognising it and looking after yourself

Many young people help look after a parent, sibling or grandparent who is ill or disabled, often without realising they are a carer. Caring can be meaningful, but you deserve support too.

• A young carer helps look after a relative who is ill, disabled or struggling.
• Caring can affect school, friendships and wellbeing.
• Young people should not carry adult caring responsibilities alone.
• Tell a trusted adult and ask school for support.
• Looking after yourself is part of caring well.

7. Visiting someone who is ill or in hospital

Visiting a relative or friend in hospital is a strong tradition in GCC families and a real comfort to patients. A good visit is short, clean, kind and follows the ward's rules.

• Check visiting times and limits before you go.
• Stay away if you are unwell, even with a cold.
• Clean your hands on the way in and out; don't sit on the bed.
• Check before bringing flowers or food.
• Keep visits short and listen more than you talk.

8. Dementia and memory loss in the family

When a grandparent starts forgetting names or getting confused, the whole family feels it. Understanding what is happening helps you stay close, patient and kind.

• Dementia is not a normal part of ageing; early medical advice matters.
• Choose a quiet place, sit at eye level and speak slowly and simply.
• Don't argue or correct unless there is harm; respond to feelings.
• Use photos and shared memories without testing their memory.
• Support the main carers in your family and look after yourself.

Talk about it, then try it

The real-life practice tasks from each lesson. Pick one or two a week and agree when you will check in.

1. Babysitting siblings and other children well
   • Make a one-page babysitting sheet for your own family: address, all adult numbers, 999, 998 and 997, allergies, bedtime routine and where the first aid kit is.
   • Next time you look after a sibling, ask a parent the five Red Cross questions before they leave and note the answers.
   • Practise saying your full home address out loud as you would to an emergency operator.
2. Child safety at home: seeing the house through a toddler's eyes
   • Do a 10-minute child's-eye safety sweep of your home and fix three things: move a medicine, secure a battery compartment, clear a climbable chair from a window or balcony.
   • Check whether your tallest bookcase or TV unit is anchored. If not, tell an adult and suggest a wall strap.
   • Find every device with a button battery in one room and check the compartment is secure.
3. Play, routines and calm behaviour with younger children
   • Spend 10 minutes of child-led play with a younger sibling or cousin: follow their lead, describe what they do and give two specific praises.
   • Next time you need a child to do something, try the CDC formula: their name, eye level, one clear statement, then praise when they do it.
   • Write a three-step bedtime routine for a child you look after and stick to it.
4. Helping older relatives: mobility, falls and dignity
   • Walk through a grandparent's or older relative's home (or your own) with the Worcestershire NHS checklist and fix two things, such as a loose rug or a dark hallway.
   • Offer to go on a short, gentle walk with an older relative this week.
   • Ask an older relative whether there is a task they would welcome help with, and do it their way.
5. Tech help for grandparents: setting up safely and spotting scams
   • Sit with an older relative for 20 minutes and adjust one device: text size, saved family contacts with photos, and a screen lock.
   • Agree a family 'check-back' rule for any message asking for money or codes, and write it on a card by the phone.
   • Explain the three golden rules: never share an OTP or PIN, hang up and call back on a known number, and tell family.
6. Being a young carer: recognising it and looking after yourself
   • Write a list of everything you do to help someone at home in a typical week, with rough times.
   • Choose one trusted adult and tell them honestly how caring affects your school and free time.
   • Block out one protected hour this week just for something you enjoy.
7. Visiting someone who is ill or in hospital
   • Find the visiting information page of a hospital near you and note its visiting hours and rules on flowers and children.
   • Write three kind, simple opening lines you could use when visiting someone who is ill.
   • Make a small 'hospital visit' kit: hand gel, a long phone cable and a puzzle book.
8. Dementia and memory loss in the family
   • Choose a calm time this week to sit with an older relative and look through old photos together, letting them lead the story.
   • Practise the Alzheimer's Society approach: one idea at a time, short sentences, and a simple choice instead of an open question.
   • Write down any changes in an older relative's memory or behaviour you have noticed and share them gently with a parent.

Quiz

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________ Circle one answer for each question.

Answer key

1. A: Southampton City Council, citing the NSPCC: the NSPCC and the Children's Legal Centre advise that the minimum age of a babysitter should be 16.
2. C: UAE Government portal: 998 is ambulance, 999 police, 997 fire (Civil Defence) and 991 electricity failure.
3. B: Alder Hey Children's Hospital: go to A&E as soon as possible, don't make them vomit and don't give anything else to eat or drink.
4. C: RoSPA: windows on the first floor or higher should open no more than 10 cm, and adults should know how to open them fully in an emergency.
5. B: CDC: be specific, say what to do rather than what to stop, and use statements, not questions.
6. C: CDC: start with at least 5 minutes a day and build towards 15 as it gets easier.
7. D: WHO falls fact sheet: adults over 60 have the highest death rates from falls in every region of the world.
8. B: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust: use a non-slip mat in the bath or shower and install grab rails by the bath and toilet.
9. C: Gulf News reporting Dubai Police: no government or banking agency will ask for confidential bank data such as OTPs. Age UK: knowing your name doesn't prove a caller is genuine.
10. A: Gulf News, reporting the TDRA: hang up immediately, block the number and avoid engaging; officials do not threaten fines over the phone.
11. C: NHS: a young carer is under 18 and helps look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.
12. B: NHS: young carers shouldn't do the same things adult carers do, and can decide how much help to offer.
13. B: NHS: don't visit if you have a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting or another infectious condition.
14. A: NHS: clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol rub when entering and leaving a patient's room.
15. C: NHS: 'Dementia is not a natural part of ageing'; contact a doctor early if worried.
16. A: Alzheimer's Society: if mistaken beliefs are not causing harm or anxiety, you may not need to correct them.

General information only, written from the sources listed in each online lesson. Laws, numbers and services change, so check official sources. Life-Ready Society, https://lifereadysociety.com/caring/