Children are a mighty blessing, but raising them is hard work and stressful. We’ve all been there when the toddler is going berserk for no apparent reason and the baby is screaming her head off with sounds so shrill they could peel paint. Your wife needs a break, you need a break, and your marriage certainly needs a break. There is a need to wear real clothes, eat real food, have adult conversations, and to be served as opposed to serving. In short, you need a babysitter pronto.
Choosing a babysitter is serious business and can provide you and your marriage a much needed counterbalance to the madness. To help, here are tips on selecting a babysitter:
1. Safety First. Everyone hopes for the best when they leave their children with a sitter, but emergencies can happen, that’s why you need a sitter who is trained in safety. The SafeSitter program trains pre-teens and teens in all aspects of basic rescue safety. Ask your prospective sitters if they’ve taken the SafeSitter training. At a minimum, your sitter should know how to save a child who is choking, and she should know when to call 911.
2. References Matter. Ask friends who use sitters, who they recommend. You can also use websites where sitters list their profiles. But if you use those sites, know that those sitters usually charge more for their services, and tend to be older.
3. Age Matters… To An Extent. Age is not always the best indicator for which sitter to choose. A mature 12 year old could do a better job than an immature 15 year old. And, keep in mind that older sitters – those over college age – might be less inclined to take an active part in playing with your children.
4. Consider Chemistry. As we mentioned earlier, safety is your first concern, but you also want your children to enjoy their sitter, and feel comfortable with her. The first time you use a particular sitter, make your outing briefer than normal. Later, ask your children about the sitter, and what they liked and didn’t like. Of course, they may not like it that the sitter wouldn’t let them eat marshmallows for dinner, so you’ll have to consider the source.
5. Ask Questions. These are your kids we’re talking about here, so don’t be afraid to ask your sitter candidate a lot of questions. How long have you been sitting? What ages have you sat for? How do you handle kids who aren’t getting along or who won’t go to bed? What things do you like to play with the children you are watching? How much do you charge an hour? Under what circumstances would you call us to ask us to return home?
Once you’ve selected a sitter, here are 5 Things Your Sitter Needs to Know before you leave her with your children. And, use this Babysitter Checklist to make sure you’re giving your sitter the information she needs to be successful.
Related Resource:
Separation Anxiety in Young Children
