With all the frightening and worrisome stories on the news about abuse from babysitters, many parents are reluctant to leave their little ones in the care of someone else particularly if that person has never had children of their own. Here are five steps you can take to ensure that you find a skilled, trustworthy babysitter that both you and your children are comfortable with.
1. Ask for references. Nothing beats a word-of-mouth recommendation from someone you trust. Friends, relatives and other moms you meet on the playground can be great sources for referrals. Check your neighborhood classified ads or local bulletin board for babysitters looking for work. It helps to choose a sitter in your neighborhood who can contact their own parents for help in case any minor problems arise.
2. Make sure you choose someone who is old enough and mature enough to do the job. Infants especially require someone who is experienced and has possibly raised children of their own. Toddlers and school age children can be looked after well enough by a 13 year old, but make sure to have a list of emergency numbers, next door neighbors or relatives, and the number of the place where youll be going in case your sitter needs to contact you.
3. When interviewing the sitter, ask for references and call them to verify the sitters suitability as a caretaker for your children. Ask about any special qualifications such as CPR or First-Aid training, Heimlich maneuver, what to do in case of accidental poisoning, etc. You should also not be afraid to ask the sitter about personal habits such as swearing, smoking or drinking. Lastly, discuss payment options and transportation issues with the sitter and arrange to meet her parents if you can.
4. Schedule a Meeting Day with the sitter and your children. Allow them to play and interact together and monitor the result. Try not to be in the same room if you can avoid it, since some young beginning sitters are very self-conscious and may feel awkward having you observe them especially on their first day. Just listen to them and offer suggestions if needed. Pay special attention to how the sitter disciplines the child or transitions them from one activity to the next. Dont be afraid to step in with tips for the sitter on how you discipline or guide your child, since every mother has a different style of parenting and often, a different set of rules. This ensures that the child knows how to behave no matter who is watching them.
5. From the moment the sitter begins working for you, make sure they understand the House Rules. These include things like feeding and bed times as well as Dos and Donts for each child (i.e. no TV until homework is done no cookies before dinner). You should also add on rules for the sitter to adhere to herself, such as no friends over, no loud music, etc.
Above all, if your child is old enough, make sure they are aware of and understand what abuse is (both physical and verbal), and to tell you right away if the sitter does something to hurt them or make them feel uncomfortable, even if it was only done in play. Be cautious and always use your best judgment in any situation. Your children are counting on you!
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