Hiring a babysitter

Hiring a babysitter for the first time can be a confusing and daunting task. But there are ways to make sure that you are getting the best babysitter for your child. If you owned your own business and was hiring an employee, there are certain qualifications that you would look for in that employee. The same rules apply when hiring a babysitter.

When looking for a babysitter for your children, ask around the neighborhood or at your church for recommendations. You may want to ask family members if they can recommend a good babysitter.

Once you have a recommendation, the next step is to invite the prospective babysitter over for an interview. Pay attention to how she interacts with your children and how your children react to her. Ask for references at this time.

Contact other people your potential babysitter has sat for. Ask them about their experiences with her. Be sure to ask how many children they have and their ages. Inquire about any emergencies that may have occurred with the children were under the care of the sitter and how she handled these emergencies.

When you are interviewing a potential sitter her body language and appearance are very important. Does she look you in the eye when speaking to you? Is her appearance neat and does she appear organized? Does she seem to be mature and able to make rational decisions in case of an emergency? These are all very important questions that you must ask yourself when you are interviewing a babysitter.

Hiring a babysitter that is trained in CPR and other types of first aid is a good idea. You never know what can happen when you are away.

Have the babysitter arrive at your home approximately one half hour early. Go over the rules of the house with her. It is helpful if you make a list that states the child’s bedtime, any snacks that may be allowed and any food allergies or other medical problems.

It is critical that you leave the phone number of where you can be reached. You should also leave the phone number of a neighbor that you know will be home.

Make one phone call home during the night to check up on things. It is a good idea to call at a specific time such as the child’s bedtime to see if the sitter is having difficulty getting the child to go to bed. You will then be able to give her some advice on how to get the child to go to bed or even be able to talk to your child yourself.

After you arrive home, ask the sitter for any specifics of the night. Did she have any problems? There may be areas where you anticipated problems because you know your child. Ask about this specifically.

Hiring a baby sitter for the first time can be scary. But when you find the right babysitter for your child, you can rest easy knowing he or she is in great hands.

RESOURCES

NY University: Hiring a Babysitter

SafeSitter: Hiring a Babysitter

Family Education: FInding the Right Babysitter

SingleParents: 7 Great Tips on Hiring a Babysitter