babysitting

thumb|right|230px|1895 painting of a nurse reading to a little girl right|thumb|An episode of About Safety, a 1970s educational children's show, on the topic of babysitting

Babysitting is temporarily caring for a child. Babysitting can be a paid job for all ages, but it is commonly known as a temporary activity for early teenagers who are not yet eligible for most other jobs, especially in North America. For young children under care, babysitting offers a chance to spend time outside their parents' direct supervision; for the sitter, it's a way to earn extra money and earn experience in looking after kids. Babysitting became a recognized teen activity in the 1920s and gained significant traction in suburban America during the 1950s and 1960s, as the post-war Baby Boom created large numbers of young children in sprawling suburbs where extended family was unavailable for childcare. It prompted the appearance of urban legends, pulp novels, and horror films.