Where can I find a babysitter? And how do I instruct them?
Finding a qualified babysitter takes time and effort. You’ll want to find someone who is mature and friendly, has common sense, and is genuinely fond of children.
But your reward is knowing that your child is in capable hands – and you’ll have a chance to take care of an errand, recharge or reconnect with a partner
How to find a babysitter
The recommendations of people you know and trust are your best bet for finding a reliable and capable babysitter, says Amy Frias, a CHOC community educator. If you’re new to the area and don’t know how to find a sitter, here are some things you can do:
- Ask your neighbors or coworkers if they have recommendations.
- Ask at your place of worship.
- See if staff in your pediatrician’s office has suggestions.
- Check with your local YMCA, community hospital, or American Red Cross chapter for a list of babysitters. Many will have completed a babysitting safety and infant and child CPR courses.
- If your child is in a daycare or after-school care program, ask staff members if they babysit or have recommendations.
- If you are part of any local online parenting networks, ask the group.
How to interview a babysitter
Interviewing sitters and checking their references will help you narrow down your choices, Amy says. Lighten your load by preparing a list of questions to ask ahead of time.
Here are some things Amy recommends asking:
- their experience caring for kids;
- whether they’re certified in infant and child CPR;
- if they’ve taken a babysitter course; and
- how they feel about pets, if you have one.
It’s a good idea to invite sitters over for a test run while you’re at home. That way, they can get familiar with your household and you’ll see how they interact with your children.
How to prepare a babysitter before you leave
Before you make your exit, be sure to prepare the sitter. Here are a few areas Amy recommends covering:
- Go over your child’s usual routine (for example, homework, bedtime, meal times). Talk about your general house rules, including any limits on TV, device or computer use, video games, playing outside, etc.
- Share any advice, techniques or comfort items that may help settle an uneasy child.
- Tell the sitter where you will be and how to reach you at all times, and under what circumstances to call 911 before contacting you.
- Show the sitter where you’ve posted the poison control center number — 1-800-222-1222. It should be somewhere easy to see and find.
- Ensure the sitter knows whom to contact in an emergency. Provide an emergency phone list that includes:
- neighbors
- friends
- relatives
- your doctor
- Text or write your own phone number and address. That way, if there’s an emergency, the sitter can give that information to the 911 operator.
- Tour the house. Here are spots to show:
- Fire escape route and outside meeting place
- Phone locations
- Locks
- Alarm systems
- Children’s rooms
- Rooms that are off-limits
- Diapering supplies, if needed
- Flashlights
- Show the sitter where you keep the inside door keys in case a child locks himself or herself inside a room.
- Let the sitter know of any special problems your child may have, such as:
- Review your first-aid kit contents and location with the sitter.
Teach kids how to use 911 to call for help, so that if something happens to your babysitter, they know what to do.
Let your babysitter know your expectations before you leave. Here are some things to consider:
- Rules about TV, screens, devices, etc.
- Rules about outside play.
- If the babysitter drives, ask about their driving experience, and let them know the rules about driving your kids.
- If visitors are off-limits, discuss those restrictions.
Maintaining safety with babysitters
Make sure the sitter knows these safety rules:
- Don’t give your child any medicine without your specific instruction.
- Don’t leave kids alone in the house or yard, even for a minute.
- Don’t leave kids unattended near water. Infants and small children can drown in only a few inches of water, even in a bucket or toilet.
If you have kids younger than age 4, the babysitter should know these rules:
- Don’t feed them popcorn, nuts, hard candy, raw carrots, or any hard, smooth foods that can block the windpipe and cause choking.
- Don’t serve foods such as hot dogs or grapes whole. They should be chopped into very small pieces, and the skin removed from hot dogs.
- Don’t let kids play with plastic bags, latex balloons, coins, or other small objects that they could choke on.
- Don’t let kids play near stairs, windows, stoves, or electrical outlets.
After you return, ask your kids if they enjoyed the sitter’s visit. When you find a reliable sitter they like, you’re sure to have a more relaxing and enjoyable time away from home. Remember, you need to fill your own cup so you can continue to be the great parent you are.
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