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Finding the Perfect BabysitterBy Shawna L. Krautheim Choosing a babysitter is always a daunting task. How do you know if a person is safe? Reliable? What do you need to know, as a parent, and what information is important for your sitter to have on hand? Trying to find a responsible and reliable babysitter can sometimes feel like attempting to locate the proverbial needle in a haystack. Sure, there may be a lot of children who are anxious to start babysitting and making a little extra money, but are they really ready for this kind of responsibility? Not only can it be frightening to relinquish the care of your precious angel over to a stranger, but it’s all the more difficult to leave your child alone with another who is little more than a child, themselves. For this reason, ensure that your babysitter is a minimum of 14 years of age; while there are exceptions to every rule, most children are not responsible, nor are they emotionally ready to take on the responsibility of watching another child. In fact, a good rule of thumb is that, the younger your child, the older your babysitter should be. Now, you have a good idea of an age range for your sitter (or nanny, as the case may be), but how do you go about finding them? There are a wide variety of options and, given the opportunity, most people with children are quick to offer sage advice. For many, referrals from friends, relatives, co-workers, or neighbors can be worth their weight in gold. Not only does this grant you an idea of what sort of references the babysitter might have, many people are more comfortable going with someone that is already familiar with the family or close friends. If you don’t have any family or friends living nearby, checking through the phone book will often reveal agencies that can help you locate a reliable sitter or nanny. Churches often know of responsible individuals in the area and, if those ideas fail, you can always try running an advertisement in the local paper or up on a community billboard. Online classified websites may also offer an option, as well, though regardless of what method you use, you should always do so with caution. Whether your potential sitter came from a friend, a relative, a member of your church, or a well-respected agency, it is essential that you ask for a list of references (and make sure that you call each and every one of them) and that you take the time to interview these individuals carefully. Don’t jump at the first person you meet and don’t trust blindly; remember that the safety of your child will rest in your babysitter’s hands. An interview is very important. Not only are you able to give the sitter some alone time and see how they interact with your child in your home environment, but you can also sit down and get to know this person better. Ask your potential babysitter what their disciplinary strategy is, say, if your child slaps another, or if they touch something they shouldn’t. How do they handle temper tantrums? Feel free to come up with different scenarios and ask them what they would do if this or that thing occurred. What would they do if someone knocks at the door? What would they do in the event of a fire? Have they taken the Red Cross or another equivalent babysitting course? What qualifies them for this position and why do they want to babysit? Ask your interviewees whether or not they know children’s CPR. Do they know general first aid, like what to do in case your child is choking? Do they know the phone number to the Poison Control Center or how to contact police, in the event of an emergency? All of these questions are important to ask and, even if the potential babysitter doesn’t know all the answers, it will help you to get a better feel for how this individual will react under pressure or in a tense situation. Once you do decide on a babysitter, try some trial runs, allowing her to babysit for short periods of time, when you are close at hand (perhaps when you are outside, working in the yard, or enjoying a cup of coffee at the neighbor’s house). Even once you’ve become established, never allow yourself to become too comfortable with a sitter; be sure to come home early from time to time or call unexpectedly, just to check on things and make sure everything is going well. Never rely on just one babysitter, either. Emergencies can occur and it’s not always easy to find an available sitter, if you only rely upon one person. Make sure that you have back-up sitters as well as a good repertoire with your neighbors so that, in the event of an emergency, your sitter may be able to contact them as well. When you do choose a sitter, take the time to sit down and discuss your expectations, as well as theirs. Ensure that they understand the forms of disciplinary actions that you feel are appropriate and which are not. Also discuss whether or not your sitter is allowed to speak with friends on the telephone or if they are able to have study partners over, to do schoolwork. Ensure that you have not only posted all your emergency information up by the telephone, but that you have drawn your new sitter’s attention to where it is and always ensure they know where you will be going. Along with your emergency numbers, ensure that you have posted your full name, your address and phone number, as well as the names and ages of your children (things which can easily be forgotten during times of emergency). A letter or form of consent is also an excellent idea (check to see if they are acceptable and available in your area), allowing your sitter to have your child taken to the hospital and treated in the event of an emergency. Finding and adapting to a new babysitter can be a stressful situation but, hopefully, this information will help to ease some of your troubles. Above and beyond all else, find someone that your children enjoy and who treats them with love and respect in return. Always listen to your children’s concerns and trust them. Babysitting should be a fun and safe experience for both children and sitter, alike, along with a well-earned break for parents!
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