Hiring a Babysitter: A Checklist

Unsurprisingly, some parents are apprehensive with leaving their children with a total stranger. Hence, if plans are made to spend an evening without the children, mothers and fathers may ask a grandparent or aunt to watch the kids for the night. This strategy is only effective if family lives in the area. If not, parents have no other option but to allow an outsider to care for their children. Choosing the right babysitter is a job. Great babysitters do exist. These babysitters love your child as if he or she is their own. On the other hand, a number of babysitters are simply looking for an easy way to make extra money, which usually involves the children playing unsupervised, while the babysitter watches television or naps.

1. Who to Hire?

There are many ways to locate a qualified and caring babysitter. For starters, you may ask for referrals. Are your co-workers parents? If so, inquire about their babysitter. Furthermore, if there is a seemingly trustworthy teenager or young adult living in the neighborhood, maybe they would be interested in earning a few extra bucks. Determining an appropriate age for the babysitter is critical. For the most part, babysitters range in age from 12 and up. Of course, parents should select an appropriate age based on the age of their own children, and the hours needed. For example, a 12-year-old is probably not equipped to care for a newborn. Yet, he or she is likely responsible enough to watch a 5-year-old. Moreover, if parents need a babysitter for several hours, or possibly overnight care, choosing an older babysitter, perhaps someone in their late teens or early twenties is more appropriate.

2. Arrange an Interview

During emergencies or last minute cancellations, parents may need to hire a babysitter sans the interview. If possible, always arrange to meet the babysitter face-to-face before hiring. Ask questions. How long have they been babysitting? How old is the babysitter? Have they taken babysitting courses (home economics classes, Red Cross classes, etc.)? Is the babysitter CPR certified? The interview also presents the prefect opportunity to discuss house rules, and to see how the potential babysitter interacts with the children. Lastly, discuss payment and ask for a reference.

3. Put it Down in Writing

Once a babysitter is hired, and a start date is determined, parents should create a typed list of all instructions. Special instructions should be mentioned during the interview. However, do not expect the babysitter to remember every little detail. Instead, provide a typed sheet including emergency numbers, feeding times, bath time, bed time, and so forth. Are the children allergic to any foods? If so, include this information. Also, provide guidelines on the topic of television times and play times. Moreover, parents should also make mention of the type of punishment that is tolerable.

4. Be Calm and Act Sensibly

Unfortunately, some parents are constantly hiring and firing babysitters. Sometimes, the firing is justifiable. For example, the babysitter could have used a form of discipline that is unacceptable in the household, or was simply unable to handle the children. On the other hand, some babysitters are unfairly fired due to unreasonable parents. Babysitters are not perfect - and neither are your children. As expected, parents want to take their children's side when conflicts arise with the babysitter. Before responding harshly, parents ought to view their children is an honest light. For example, does the child have a history of lying? Is the child difficult or bratty? Is the child manipulative? If so, the problem may not lie with the babysitter. Instead, the child could knowingly be attempting to sabotage the babysitter arrangement.