Many families search for the right babysitter long and hard. Maybe your job calls for it or maybe you want to spend some alone time as a couple. But how do you know that you have hired the right babysitter? You want the best for your kids and most important of them all, you want to know that they’re safe with this stranger.
Hiring the right babysitter can be difficult, but not impossible. There are a few tips that will help you distinguish a good babysitter from a bad one. What you need to know is that you need to be a little patient because the search for the right babysitter can take some time.
Always. Check. References.
As a parent, your instincts are pretty sharp, especially when it comes to things related to your kids. But where can you find the right babysitter? There are many reliable child care companies that provide you with a list of reliable babysitters. You can check for credentials, testimonies and reviews of the company and of the babysitters you like online, too. If some parents have had to deal with many bad situations, you will find their opinions online. You can also choose a babysitter that was recommended by your family or friends. There are many ways in which you can verify your babysitter’s credibility. Double check her credentials and recommendations. Even hire a private investigator to see if the information she provided checks out. It’s not nice, but it’s an almost foolproof method.
Consider Experience
Take into consideration the babysitter’s experience with kids and its professional status. A lot of babysitters are knowledgeable and great with kids. Some of them are former teachers who love teaching kids what they know best. So it can be a win-win situation; someone supervises and teaches your kid useful things. Of course, the right babysitter may not always have professional experience when it comes to children. Young babysitters who have helped care for younger siblings can make great babysitters!
The Younger vs. Older Babysitter
There are pros and cons regarding both options. On the one hand a young babysitter may be more open to your suggestions and will have the energy to play with your kids. On the other hand an older babysitter can mix fun with serious, educational activities, but may be stuck in her old ways even if she has years of experience in babysitting kids. Of course, these are just stereotypes, and choosing the right babysitter is never quite that cut and dry. It’s up to you to choose which babysitter fits your kid’s needs best.
Install Hidden Cams around the House
Even if after the process of selection, adjustment and after talking and getting to know the babysitter, you still want to see how the interaction between the babysitter and your kid goes, install hidden cams around the house. This is for your peace of mind and for the child’s safety. See how the babysitter acts when no one else is around. If she passed this stage with flying colors, she’s probably a keeper and the right babysitter for you and your family. And it’s perfectly okay to be a little bit paranoid and protective when your kid is involved. After all, the babysitter is still a stranger in your home—a stranger with good credentials, but still a stranger.
