Rules and Safety: A List of Things to Discuss with Your Sitter

All parents need a night out once in a while. Couples need to reconnect. Single parents need to recharge. Make plans and call a sitter. Wait! Who is your sitter? Many parents rely on young teenagers to watch their children for the much need break. Before you leave your children with a teenage sitter, consider what she might do in an emergency. Most "parent's night out" evenings out are completely safe for the children. However, emergencies do come up. Is your sitter prepared to handle a crisis? Have a candid discussion with your sitter before a situation turns into a tragedy.

Is your sitter aware of different CPR techniques for different aged children? In the event that an infant or toddler needs CPR, they must be handled differently that older children and adults. What would your sitter do in the event of a fire? Do your children know what to do and where to meet if a fire occurs? Can the sitter administer basic first aid? Does your sitter cook dinner or do you have pizza delivered? Does your sitter open the door for a pizza delivery person? Ask your baby sitter these important questions. If a babysitter is unprepared for an emergency situation, suggest enrolling in a safety course, such as the Safe Sitter Program. Encourage your sitter to be prepared in any event. Such programs are full of vital information about different safety issues. Typically the programs can be found at a local YMCA, an after school teen program or a youth center.

Have you discussed the "house rules" with your sitter? While a general rule is "NO FRIENDS," quite a few young teenage girls are opting to babysit in teams for additional safety. The no friends rule should apply to anyone you are not paying to sit. While a sitter needs to keep the phone with her at all times, remind her that she is there for the children instead of talking on the phone. What about handling tantrums? A sitter's primary job is to keep the children safe and entertained rather than to discipline or punish them. Explain the time out guidelines by age. Allow her to use a timeout for a tantrum as an alternative to the discipline of her own choosing. Do you have TV rating and hour restrictions? Talk to your sitter about appropriate TV shows and times.

The majority of young girls who babysit are responsible young ladies who will take care of your children to the best of their ability. Remember their age and experience levels. Share your opinions and experiences. By talking to sitters about safety issues and your rules, you will increase their ability to keep your child safe while you de-stress and enjoy your evening out on the town.