are there any parents out there that can give me tips on choosing a baby sitter?

Question

I am going back to work so I have to find a long term baby sitter, for my 3 yr old and 1 yr old. Every one I know and trust have jobs, and I can't use a day care center b/c my son is constantly sick. He has colds or infections all the time. With them comes the fever and any day care center would send him home and I would never be able to work. The only other option I can think about is hiring someone, but the thought of a stranger watching my kids terrify me. I've seen to many FBI Files type shows. Are there any other options out there or anything I can do to keep my kids safe? Thanks everyone

Answer 1

usually you want to pick a babysitter that you know like a neighbor or a close friends son or daughter do not pick a complete stranger pick someone recommended by someone you trust! it worked for me oh ya always make sure you know how much babysitting experience they have!!!!!

Answer 2

I would consider you...but I prefer someone older. At least 13 generally, but it is good you have CPR certification and First Aid. One think you could do is, epically with larger families, watch younger children while a mother is cooking/cleaning ect. I guess that's probably what you mean by "mother's helper". You could also offer to be a bus stop babysitter. I did that for awhile, there was a lady with twin 5 year-olds who were in full day kindergarten. I would go over when she left for work, about a half hour before they had to be at the bus stop, help them get ready and then walk them to the bus stop. I would make sure they got to school okay, and then after school I would walk them back to there house when there aunt would watch them. They only gave me five dollars per week, but it was a nice easy way to get cash. To get more interest... do you go to church or have any churches nearby? If you ask and are allowed to post fliers and ect. in a church, you are less likely to attract the freaks (never post in a grocery store...you get some real freaks then). Or just walk up and down the street and leave cute notes on everyone's door...or have your mother/father talk to the people they work with...and remember! Even grandparents need help sometimes with grandkids. You could check with your elementary school and they might let you post a flier in the front office. That way parents will see it. Oh, and you mentioned something about 6-10 year olds? Its just, you are only 12 and it seems like looking after a kid only two years younger than you might not go well. And if a kid at 10 needs looking after...why should a 12 year old be doing the looking over? I'm not trying to offend you (you clearly have the experience needed) It's just if you post that on a flier someone might think about it. You might just want to say 6+ . Oh well, good luck.

Answer 3

I agree 100% with Spookbaby. I have worked in daycare centers, had my own business babysitting for mothers who home school their children, and was a full time Nanny. The tips she gave you are excellent. Being a person who has done my share of child care I would be expecting a very thorough evaluation from the parents. Don't be afraid to ask personal questions as well...do they smoke? I also would come by while the parents were home to interact with the children while the parents were close by. Then gradually the parents would leave a few hours at a time getting their child used to having another caregiver. One thing I might add on the first aide and CPR....make sure they are certified look at their card.

Answer 4

Get a referral from a relative, friend, neighbor or colleague and do extensive background research. Any babysitter who has nothing to hide will have no problems giving you the names and phone numbers of past employers (and CALL THEM!).

Ask the sitter questions like:

Do you know children's CPR?
Do you know the phone number to the Poison Control Center?
Do you know first aid?
Do you know what to do in case of choking?

Let the babysitter have some "alone time" with the children, and watch for disciplinary strategy, problem solving/coping skills, and suspicious behavior.

Let her babysit with you not too far away for a short period of time, and if all goes well, you've found your babysitter!

Just be careful not to get too comfortable... every so often, call unexpectedly or come home early as to check how she deals with surprises.

Good luck!

Answer 5

try to pick someone you can trust. it can be really hard to find someone that can work all those hours but look around. ask a neighbor possibly? Also ask for some reference and call those people. you can also try to go to a local daycare and see if anyone would be willing to babysit your kids. most daycares require their employees to have background checks. and the day care situation.... i work at a day care and i know that there are a lot of germs there and it is common for the kids to get sick. but it really builds up their immune system.. when i first started working there i kept on getting sick, and now it hardly happens.. you could possibly try the day care option again. hope this helps!

Answer 6

Try looking a on Craiglist, your local college, or ask your local preschool if the teacher babysit or if they have recommendations. for a nanny or caregiver. I know it's hard to trust someone new, but once you meet the right one you will know. The media has scared parents to death when it comes to their children. Yes, crime does happen, but the crime rate has dramatically decreased over the last 30 years. But with the media doing what they do, you would never know it.

I suggest you find a few caregivers to interview. Watch how she interacts with your child, find out about her experience, if she know CPR and first aid, and get references. Ask her some hypothetical disciplining questions to see if you approve. Have the ones you like come for another visit. Trust me, you will know in you gut which one is right for you. To keep you mind at ease, get some hidden cameras to place around the house. Good luck to you!

Answer 7

I know your pain. I am getting ready to find someone to keep my 6 month old. The only thing I can say is ask around. Maybe someone knows someone who keeps children. You could try to find an agency that hires for you. I would try to find someone that could come to your home and keep them. That way they are not going from being at home with Mommy all the time to being without you and going somewhere new. You could put an ad in the paper asking for someone to do this, and then interview the applicants and do a background check on them. Talk to others they have babysat for. They should be a good judge for you. If you are involved in church, maybe you could find someone there to do it for you. If you do bring someone in to keep your children, invest in a nanny cam to tape everything. Hopefully you will be able to find someone good to keep your children. Good luck.

Answer 8

You should ask around and see if anyone you know can recommand someone. Then before you leave your children with this person get to know them. Invite them over a few times to get to know them and see how they deal with your children. If you feel comfotable with the person on a personal leavel and then again on a adult/child relationship leavel let them watch you child. Make the first babysitting job short [like time for you to run errens] then after the vist ask your children and the sitter how it went. If you are satisfied with the answer from both people then allow the babysitter to countine.

Answer 9

I am a babysitter/nanny in my neighborhood. I have helped raise about five children from birth; all of these were referrals. It all started when my next door neighbor asked me to watch her two little girls, as her girsl outgrew the need for a babysitter, she continually passed on my name to others in the neighborhood. One thing I think is hilarious, but must mean I'm good, is that I don't get referrals from one woman because she doesn't want anyone else to pay me more/steal me away from her children. I strongly recommend talking to your neighbors and asking them who they use.

Another option, look for agencies. College students are ideal (I make my class schedule around my babysitting jobs) because they choose when to take classes. You will need to be comfortable knowing you're trusting your children to someone, that always helps.

Hopefully this helps. Good luck!

Answer 10

If you go to any mommy and me group or your local YMCA for a class you might meet another mother that you can get to know and ask her or do interviews and ask for refrences and call to check them out. You can also say you want them to watch your child in your home. You can also pay to do a background check if your still worried. The only people i leave my kids with are framily good friends and a neighbor that i've gotten to know and know she related well with my kids.