what to do when looking for a babysitter?

Question

my hours have changed and i would no longer need for my mother inlaw to watch my son (12mo) she doesnt respect my wishes when i ask her not to walk with my son after dark and he has had a cold every since he's been staying the nights at her house. anyways im very picky on who's watching my baby and i just wanted to know what are some things you would ask or look for in a caregiver?

Answer 1

it's tough, it really really is but contact your local YWCA...they usually have a list of people that have taken their class and are somewhat qualified to watch him. and placing ads in the local papers or on craigslist.com is also another way to go. also, he's old enough now to even look into corporate daycares (you can get assistance from your local gov't to help with the cost) and just interviewing people and seeing how they interact with the baby. also having friends/relatives/neighbors "pop-in" unexpectedly to see what's going on and how things are going. not to scare you, but i hired a sitter that STILL gives me nightmares. my mom decided to pick my son up an hour earlier than i had told the sitter and he was in the playpen SCREAMING (which my son never did) dripping wet with sweat and his diaper so wet that it had fallen off of him and was only being held up by his t-shirt. the lady casually mentioned that she had to turn the air conditioning off b/c of the cost of keeping such a large house cool and how she was "just about to change him". my mom also found out when she got home that he hadn't been fed b/c all of his jars of baby food were still in the bag where i had left them. so i am VERY VERY careful about who i hire and i let people know that upfront when i interview them. people that are understanding are usually good to start off with and people that get irritated about their "privacy" and aren't too open or understanding about the importance of having a good babysitter are usually the ones that i would steer clear of. happy hunting!!

Answer 2

im a stay at home mom... and i had thought about finding a baby sitter..(someone outside of family) but i am to scared... i would set up a few interviews... after that say you choose two of the ones you interviewed have to come back while you are there... and let them watch your child while your there to see how they will treat your child... i would want references...and i would also call those references... find out why they arent still taking care of the previous children...see how well he/she done witht the previous children.. i would do any background check there is to do on someone... if they dont want you to do so... they would be gone right that min... make sure that she knows cpr and all that other stuff... what to do if a child gets hurt.. burned... or any of that matter... anytime that i let anyone watch my children... i always count the number of diapers i send with my children... and if there isnt that many gone then ill know they didnt change them that often... get her a book... have her to write down everything that she does... like feeding time.. diaper changes... when meds are given if any... nap times... if your son still takes a nap... if they went anywhere... where they went... i may sound really over protected... but thats just very risky to me... and i dont want anything to happen to my children.. i know if i ever had someone outside my family to watch my children.. that is what i would do... and i would also make sure that he/she understands what i expect out of them... maybe some of this has helped you... good luck

Answer 3

i comprehend whilst my little ones have been little issues that i became finding for in a sitter have been -The sitter needs to be to blame, no being on the telephone/computing device, no having acquaintances over whilst sitting. -The sitter needs to love doing activities,video games, etc. with the toddlers. No parent needs a sitter to plop their baby in front of the television the completed time they are babysitting. -The sitter needs to be arranged for emergencies, and comprehend technique to stay with and who to call if something occurs. that's an further plus in the event that they have long undergone a babysitting direction and found out CPR and the Heimlich maneuver (maximum communties grant a secure sitter direction) -The sitter could %. up any messes if the prospect is on the industry (occasion- whilst the toddlers have long gone to mattress, taking a snooze, or perhaps whilst performed fiddling with specific toys) it fairly is an further bonus if the sitter retains notes on issues which incorporate how lots little Freddy ate at dinner, or how long of a snooze Freddy took, whilst he awoke from his nap, etc Bringing a bag with activities (what you convey might rely on the age of the toddlers) be sure which you do ask mom and pa what regulations to stay with approximately snacks, bedtimes, etc. those are the flaws I had my daugher do whilst she have been given the right age to babysit. That babysitting direction is somewhat between the wonderful issues to do to be sure a job. My daughter became so happy she took it, it teaches a thank you to be a to blame babysitter. wish that facilitates

Answer 4

1. I would want them to be child/infant first aid and cpr certified. It is only a couple hour long class and isn't too expensive.
2. Experience with infants/children
3. If they've taken child development class in school that's awesome
4. Make sure there values match yours. If you don't believe in letting your baby cry it out make sure they don't either
5. Someone who seem competent and intelligent so that if some situation arises they'd be able to deal with it appropriately using common sense.
6. Someone with compassion who generally likes newborns
7. Someone with respect who is willing to follow your household rules.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I'll echo what Two Baby Boys said and add to that:

References. Check every single one of them.

MUST KNOW CPR. This is a given.

EXPERIENCE. This is non-negotiable as well.

It's best to get someone who is highly recommended by someone you know well and trust. Also I would let them know by no means are they allowed to give the baby a bath, and make a list of foods they could choke on you don't want her to feed the baby.

Answer 6

I wish I could help you. My wife is Japanese and the first criteria is that the woman MUST be fluent in Japanese since the kids are bilingual and they don't get enough Japanese language outside the home. Second, they must be able to be live in, since we need them for heavy duty. We have five boys, (actually one is due in April) That gives us 17yrs, 16yrs, 36 months, 18 months, and soon to be. By having a live in, (if you have the room) you can enculturate the babysitter into your lifestyle. For us, we have hired two over the last three years, both exchange students going to the local college. It gives my wife someone to speak with about home.

Answer 7

He/She should be mature, work dedicated, children loving and knows how to mingle with children, most import he/she should have initiative at all times.

May be you hire me as the caregiver of your son. I am a nursing assistant by profession.

Answer 8

How well she recives your child in the 1st meeting , does she pay alot of atttention does she get the child to respond to her good luck because it is hard to find a good sitter trust me I know

Answer 9

how many they watch, age groups,age of the care giver,medical background, just common everyday stuff.

Answer 10

ask for references and ask her what would she do if various difficult situations occur e.g.bad burns, high fever, stranger at the door, etc etc