Babysitting: Who to Hire, What to Look For, and More
1) References. Your sitter should have references – friends or relatives she’s babysat for before, and phone numbers where you can reach them. Make sure you check out her past history before you hire her to watch your kids. Some things to ask about:
2) Responsibility. Your sitter should be punctual and good at keeping kids out of trouble, not just hanging out in the house. She shouldn’t invite visitors over, unless you or previous parents have given explicit permission. In addition, does she seem friendly and self-motivated? Does she keep out of trouble outside your home?
3) Experience. How much has she babysat? What ages are the children she has watched? You don’t want to entrust your newborn to someone who’s only dealt with children five years and older.
4) Interest. Is your sitter interest in engaging your kids and entertaining them, or is she just going to park them in front of the TV all day? A sitter who’s willing to play games with your kids, read books to them, and supervise their play is a far better choice (and far more worth your money) than one who chooses to use the TV to do her job.
Now that you’ve picked out your sitter, here’s what information you need to leave her before you head out:
1) Important phone numbers. You must make sure your sitter has a number where she can reach you in an emergency, as well as a back-up number for someone else local (perhaps a grandparent or a neighbor) in case you can’t be reached. Numbers for the local police department and the poison control center should also be on hand, just in case.
2) Medical information. Your sitter should be informed of your children’s health problems, from allergies to teething. This will keep your children safe and allow your sitter to deal with any situations which arise effectively.
3) Bedtimes and house rules. It’s imperative your sitter know basic house rules and bedtime(s) of your children so that she can uphold the pattern of the home while you’re away.
4) When you’ll be back. You, in turn, should be responsible for your sitter and considerate of your schedule. If you’re running late, be sure to call and inform your sitter promptly. Make sure there are arrangements to return her to her home (if she hasn’t driven herself) after you return home yourself.
These guidelines should ensure a strong relationship with a reliable sitter whom you’ll be happy to have sit for you again in the future!
