Tip For Choosing A Babysitter
Taking care of children, regardless of age, is a monumental task. In between making sure they are fed, clothed, happy, healthy, safe and secure, it is an around-the-clock job for primary caregivers and guardians. They love their bundle of joy even when it is crying up a storm or throwing a tantrum, but without breaks from their children many parents would feel smothered and trapped.
Babysitters are the cure to all such ills, whether they be temporarily hired while mommy and daddy go out for a date night, or permanently employed if the the parents work or are otherwise occupied for long stretches of time.
However, one cannot just leave one's children to just anybody. Taking a few simple points into account will save a lot of worry and effort later.
Basic Information
Before even calling a babysitter over for an interview, make sure you have all their details: their full name, phone number, address and references. If the babysitter is underage, meeting with their parents is also a good idea.
Talk to their previous employers, assuring them of complete confidence, and find out whether the sitter and their children were compatible, if they had any complaints and if they would recommend them to their family or friends. Do these families sound similar to your family? Do their lifestyles and rules resemble yours? Experience isn't enough; one needs the right kind as well.
The Interview
Although there are some standard questions which one asks during the interview, such as experience, age, when they are available, etc, every family has its own requirements. Include questions and requests which pertain to your family's needs, like caring for children with illnesses such as asthma or diabetes.
This is also a good time to ask if they have basic medical training, such as being able to perform CPR, understand the signs of sickness, etc.
Observe Their Interaction With Your Kids
During the interview and at any other time when they are around your children, notice how the babysitter behaves. Is their style well-matched with your children? Does their method of play and discipline suit you? What about their language or their attentiveness? Do your children like them?
If possible, ask for a trial run, in which you let them babysit your kids for a short amount of time while remaining nearby, such as at a neighbor's house. An experienced babysitter will not bat an eyelash at such a request. Afterwords, ask your children about their opinion. Since your kids will have to spend the most time with them, it is best to take their input.
Trust Your Instincts
If at any time during the selection process, you feel uncomfortable with the babysitter and no amount of research or rechecking can change that, then go with your gut. If they do not set you at ease, then there is no need for an explanation for not hiring them. The main purpose of a babysitter is so that you can go about your tasks, assured of the knowledge that your children are safe and cared for.