Babysitters can truly make a parent’s life much easier. Going to work becomes a breeze with no child to look after, and the same holds true for spending your free time. After all, it’s important to refill your batteries every once in a while, so it’s hiring a nanny is well worth the money.
It’s important to find the right babysitter for you. In order to do this, you will have to look far beyond the scope of experience and qualifications. Ask yourself how well this person is going to fit in? Do they have the same core values as your family? Are they prepared to learn and uphold your house rules?
These types of expectations need to be communicated clearly from your side. This way, a potential babysitter won’t have to second-guess anything. But in any case, you really need to ask yourself these questions.
Picking the right babysitter has a lot to do with your gut feeling. If something is telling you that this particular person is trustworthy (especially if they’ve got some credentials to show for it), then by all means listen to your ‘inner voice’. Still, finding a suitable candidate among your personal friends or acquaintances is probably your best bet. Related read: Sittercity reviews how to get a sitter.
It’s important to set some criteria before making the final call. Does the candidate know how to act in case of an emergency? Have they taken any first-aid and nanny courses? If these key qualifications aren’t met, but you really like the person anyway, make them an offer they can’t possibly refuse – pay their tutoring fees in exchange for them working for you in the future!
Having a ‘test session’ with the babysitter and your children is another thing worth considering. That way, you’ll be able to watch how the candidate performs under stressful situations and see how your children respond to that person. Study their reactions. If there’s something they don’t like, use this information when making the final hiring decision.
It’s of crucial importance that you write down your cellphone number and any other bits of information, and leave it somewhere visible. For example, your children might be used to going to bed at a certain hour. Write it down. Also, make sure the babysitter knows the house rules. If you don’t want them inviting any friends over, you should let it be known.
Be receptive to questions if there’s anything the babysitter wants to know. Show them around the house so they’ll be able to know where things are. Food supplies, medicine cabinet, bathroom… anything of importance. Provide a spare key just in case they need to leave the house.
Try to think of possible complications in advance and devise a solution for them. Give them information such as:
– Your full name
– The full address of your house
– The exact location where they can find you
– Your contact details
– Medical conditions of your children
– List of medication they’re taking (and any corresponding dosages, times, etc.)
– Alarm codes
– Names and contact details of your neighbors
– List of pets in your home
By having a solid emergency plan laid out in advance can reduce the severity of consequences if things go wrong. So make sure to do your due diligence and plan things out. And when you’ve finally decided on a babysitter, make sure to be as open and communicative about these things as possible! This will ensure the best experience for everyone involved. Related read: Save money with a Sittercity promo code.
Did you find this article helpful? Feel free to share your thoughts.
These are useful tips. I’m taking note of all of them. Thanks for sharing.
One of the reasons why I choose to hire from Sittercity is the fact that I can trust the babysitter. With the background check and all, I have peace of mind that the babysitter is not some thief or criminal. Just think of all the personal information I have to share with her. I don’t think I can ever impart such information to a mere stranger whose background is very vague to me.
I never thought about having a “test session” with a babysitter. That really is a good idea. Thanks for mentioning it.
I totally agree with you about the gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right. I don’t push it.
It’s a must to hire a babysitter we can trust. We’re not only entrusting our kids to them. We’re giving them access to our personal numbers and home. That’s a huge risk we’re taking. That’s why we only hire from Sittercity. That’s the only place we’re able to hire the “perfect one.”
Oh you said it! Hiring a nanny is worth the money. I have four little ones and I wouldn’t know what to do if it weren’t for our nanny from Sittercity.