As a parent, how much would you be influenced by a Red Cross babysitting certificate when choosing/babysitter?

Question

Would you more likely hire a young teen babysitter (13-14yr) if they had taken the babysitting course from the Red Cross? How much would this influence your choice? Do any of you parents "require" this for your babysitters? Also, would you give RC certified babysitters a higher rate?

Please tell me how this would make an affect on how you chose a babysitter.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Of course the decision wouldn't be based solely on that but I'd pick the teenager with the training over a teenager without it any day. I don't care how much you love my children or how well you work with them if you cannot give them CPR to save their life or help them if they are choking. That's it. LOL!

For me having the training course is only the first step but very vital step in order to watch my children. I honestly wouldn't hire a babysitter without it.

Answer 2

I think it's a great idea to have the shop available to teen who want to take it. I wish I did. I babysat when I was 12-13 I was in charge of 3 kids a 9 month old, a 6 year old and an 8 year old and I was there from 7am until 4:30pm with the kids all day. I even had my mom stop by a few times to help. It was VERY much overwhelming my mom didn't want me to watch kids that young and with so many. BUT I feel with the course I prolly could have tackled a lot of the issues w/o her help.

Answer 3

I wouldn't let it influence my decision. I would pick a babysitter based on everything else (experience with children, love for children, patience, ability to teach, etc) and then pay for the class to have the sitter licensed. The licensing is easy - it's the other things that are so hard to find.

Answer 4

I do require this of all of our sitters. I think that it is very important. I feel much more at ease knowing that our kids are being taken care of by someone who knows what to do in an emergency situation. I tend to use the same 2 sitters. They are teenagers from our church. I know their parents well and they live close by. That way I know if there is a problem they can't handle their parents are close by and know our family well. As far as pay goes, I usually pay them $10-15 an hour. One of our sitters went on her prom and I brought her dress for staying the night at my hiuse while my husband and I went to a ball for his and my dad's fraternity. My oldest son (9-years-old) also knows CPR. I encourage my husband to get certified but he says since I am he doesn't see the need. Bone-head!!

Answer 5

call me weird or what ever but i wont leave my child with anyone under 21. . the classes are great i took them and babysat. i can honestly say looking back when i started at 12 i was not ready. i was always overwhelmed and calling my mom. i even lost a kid once. he was hiding in the bottom of their sofa. he was 7 then i was 12. i wasnt ready and neither are most kids 11-15. when i baby sat at 18 (part time live in nanny and full time nanny. ) i only stayed all the time on thursdat friday and saturday i was ready older and more prepared and had no problem. now at 29 i am a mom and wouldnt trust a young teen with my four year old unless its at a church function and i an near by

Answer 6

I would definitely be influenced by it. In our town the hospital offers a free course every summer. I can't imagine hiring a babysitter who hadn't been to the course. I would probably not even consider someone who hadn't been to the class.

Answer 7

Yes I would. I think it would important for an emergency.
I do not "require' it but it would def be a plus
as far as pay-no I would keep it the same

Answer 8

no! I would never leave my child with someone that young!! Besides, I live in South Carolina, and it is illegal to babysit under the age of 15. And in alot of other states also.....

Answer 9

none,

It does not mean they are trust worthy.