MOMS I NEED HELP!!! What are good questions to ask while performing an interview for a babysitter?

Question

I have to hire someone to help me take care of my daughter AT the hospital while I'm in labor with my second child. We plan on calling them when the delivery approaches and I've always stayed home with my daughter and I'm not sure what kind of questions I should ask or what to pay. I live in San Jose California. Please help me with questions that I should ask and things to expect from whoever takes the position. Thank you!!!

Ok before I get the "you should get a family member" let me also say that my husband daughter and I just moved here from Texas so we know absolutely NO ONE. NOt trying to be rude just giving the info because I would rather her stay with someone we know than with anyone else. Either way it will be in the room with us so we will have an eye on them the entire time. They will never be alone with my child.

Answer 1

Waitasec - just to clarify, you're hiring someone to look after your older child while you're delivering your new baby, will be in the hospital room with you, never out of your sight?

Okay. Why are people fussing over CPR cert? People, she's in a hospital. TV? Same thing.

In your shoes I would ask,
1) Have you ever attended a birth? Do you feel comfortable doing so? How comfortable are you in a hospital setting?
2) What sorts of things do you think you can do with my child to keep her occupied?
3) Let's say she gets upset when I'm in pain or by some othe rpart of the birth. How will you assist her to understand, since I'll be a bit busy?

And of course, references, and check them.

Are you hiring a doula? I'd highly recommend that, but of course not to look after your daughter. Perhaps ask her for recommendations or suggestions. Perhaps she has a friend she can recommend? And don't let p eople give you flack for having your daughter there. If you don't trust anyone you don't know with her, you're not about to leave her alone. But perhaps consider having her spend some time with your daughter and you beforehand in case you do need to be separated (say, you turn out to need an emergency Csection).

Answer 2

1. Any experience, who, when and what ages.
2. Why do want to babysit?
3. What types of things do you think should NOT go on while you are the sitter?
4. In school, graduated, other jobs?
5. If If this person is a parent I would ask how they discipline their own child, not to discuss why you think they are or are not appropriate but to get an idea on how firm they are or if they just let their own run wild.

I would have them come over and watch how they interact with the child for a couple hours at least before the baby is here. That way you will be comfortable when the day comes. But have enough time to find another sitter if some problem arises.

This sitter could come over and play with your child few hours a week maybe while you finish up getting baby room ready or read or whatever, gives you a chance to see how well they care for your child. I sure hope this helps. I know finding a sitter is soooo hard.

Answer 3

Although I'm not a mother but here a couple of questions that I would come up with if I were in your shoes: How much experience has (s)he had with children? What are some activities/procedures (s)he would provide/have for the kids? What does (s)he look forward to for babysitting your child? I live out in Maine and the average pay for a babysitter is about $7-9 an hour, it could be a little bit more over there (I would make guesstimate of maybe $10-12 an hour).

Answer 4

Ask how much they think they should be paid for that job and if it sounds resonable to you then go with that (I wouldn't pay them no 10 dallors an hour or anything because that could add up if you are in labor as long as I was which was 65 hours and that is no joke). Ask them what they plain on doing to keep your daughter intertained for how ever long it may take to have the next child and make sure YOU feel comfortable with them and have them come over a few times to have your daughter get use to them so that you are not just handing her over to someone she is just meeting for the first time when you are in labor. I hope this helps and good luck with labor.

Answer 5

First of all, it's a bad idea to hire a sitter to sit at the hospital. It's not child proof, there are not going to be as many toys, your child won't be in her environment and will definitely be freaked out. I'd say it'd be fine to have her at the hospital if your mom or your sister or someone was watching her, but not a sitter you are going to hire. It'll be miserable for your daughter AND the sitter. I know you want her there for the birth of her sibling, but I'd consider bringing her in after to meet the new baby. You don't want your new sitter checking out your bum--have her bring your daughter to the hospital when you and the baby are clean. It'll be more powerful for your daughter.

When hiring any sitter ask:

Are you first aid/CPR certified?
How long have you been sitting?
Ask for 3 references and actually CALL them.
What's your policy on kids watching tv? (you want someone who won't stick on the tv when you're not there)
What types of things can you cook?
What do you do if a child won't fall asleep on his/her own?
When sitting, do you pick up after the kids, ask the kids to help, or leave it?
Do you smoke?
Do you have a carseat?
Make a copy of their driver's license and take down their plate number, etc. and run a background check if you aren't 100% sure.
Find out how much they charge.
Ask if they are comfortable if you were to install a nanny camera (you don't need to do it, but at least they know they might be filmed and watched)


Make sure sitters do the dishes (or at least put in sink) that they use with your child, make sure toys are picked up that your sitter uses with your child.

Above all, when you interview, make sure that your new sitter is comfortable and friendly with your child. A good indication would be sitting on the floor with her, playing with her toys, asking her questions, offering to do something for/with her, etc. If a sitter comes and doesn't really interact with your child at the meeting, then I'd say don't go with him/her. At the same time, if she's TOO friendly with your daughter, then I'd be leery of that, too, because it's just an act.

Answer 6

I don't really know what the pay scale in CA but call a reputable service in the area if you only need someone for a short period of time. They do all the background work for you and all you have to do is pick the one you like. But if you want to do the hand pick approach call some area churches and ask teachers who they would recommend to you and make sure you ask the important questions -- Have you had children of your own -- what style of discipline do you use-- references who have you worked for in the past -- criminal history-- and most important is to see if your child interacts well with the person. What kind of things do you like to teach the child -- reading, playing games, toys, etc... It's hard to leave the most precious gift you have with a stranger, but sometimes you have to-- just go with your gut instints mom.

Answer 7

First and foremost ask them if they know CPR and have them show you their card. Ask them how long they have been taking care of children and what were the average age they worked with. You want someone who is familar with kids your childs age. Ask for refrences. Call all refrences. Ask the past clients at what rate they were paying. Call agencies and ask what is the rate for day care. Have a number in mind when you interview people and find out what rate they had in mind. Good Luck and Congrats!!

Answer 8

Ask:

What type of discipline does she use if a child is misbehaving - this one is very important. You want the answer to be very close to what you would do.

Does she have a reliable car?

How much does she charge?

What other duties would she do?

What will she do with your child while you are gone?

How long has she been babysitting?

Does she have references? Make sure to get them and call!!

Is she CPR certified?

Hope that helps!

Answer 9

I placed an add in the paper and simply put " will pay for cpr cert. Nanny cams through out premises must sign surveillance waiver"..I don't know a thing about NANNYCAM'S/ dont even have one but the sitter doesn't know that....You'll get some honest people

Answer 10

Interview them this night. in case you like them as a man or woman and get an excellent feeling approximately them, there are greater steps to take. Ask her/him to pass to the DMV and get evidence that their using checklist is sparkling. you may tell very lots some man or woman in the event that they have had DUI's or have a suspended license. they could desire to deliver that DMV print out to you. next you ask them to pass to the interior sight Police branch and function a seek achieved on the records branch that shows in the event that they have has any interactions with the police. that's generally around $5 to get a print out that shows in the event that they have ever been arrested or in the event that they're persistent 911 callers or flashers. you desire to comprehend approximately that. Do they comprehend CPR? have they have been given a certificates for that? have they have been given 2 good references for you may call? it truly is greater suitable to be risk-free than sorry.