If you’re like many parents, you long for the day that you could hire a neighborhood teen to watch your children while you’re away from home. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Now a parent has to be so careful when choosing the right babysitter. These tips may help you in that search.
[ad]Ask people that you trust, like friends, neighbors, or those you attend church with, who they use as a sitter. Another option would be to check with your child’s pediatrician or doctor’s office staff to see if they have recommendations. Hearing positive recommendations from others will greatly increase your confidence in choosing someone to watch your children.
Take the time needed to properly interview any potential sitter. Because it’s so hard to know who to trust these days, you will want to ask for references for any potential babysitter. Don’t just take the names and numbers from them; make sure you call each and every person on the list to verify their experience. It may seem like excessive, but your child’s life is in this person’s hands.
First and foremost, the safety of your children should be considered. Therefore, it is important for any babysitter to know basic first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They should also know to call you in case of an emergency, but only after they have contacted any necessary professional help.
If your children are very young, consider getting an older sitter – someone who has obviously had experience with young children. A grandmother-type would be preferable for infants or toddlers. An older teen would be suitable for elementary and older children. Unless you are extremely familiar and comfortable with them, it is not recommended to allow a young teen to baby-sit.
Don’t hesitate to ask the potential sitter to come over and spend some time with your children while you’re home, but busy in another room. This will allow you the opportunity to see how they interact with your children, and possibly alert you to any potential problems.
Think outside of the box. Most people assume that girls are the only ones that can successfully watch children. Nothing could be further from the truth. Boys, or young men, could even be more effective at watching your children, particularly if you have boys.
Children are a precious gift and so we want to do what’s best for them. When we do have to leave them with a sitter, we want to know that we can trust to keep the children safe, but also entertained. Choosing the right babysitter may take some time, but this person will play a very important part in your family’s life. Take your time and choose the best person for all of you.
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