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HOW TO PICK A SITTER

I’ll never forget my first time as a babysitter. I had looked after my younger brothers when they were babies many times, but when I got my first paid babysitting job I was beside myself with nerves.

I showed up at 7pm precisely, and was welcomed in by the couple, who seemed impossibly sophisticated to my young self. They showed me around, introduced me to the TV and the biscuit tin, casually said that the baby was asleep upstairs, and left!

TV?! There was no way I could sit and watch TV while I was responsible for this child. I turned it on, and nibbled on a biscuit, but every 10 minutes I felt obliged to sneak into the nursery and check that my charge was still breathing. Unfortunately he breathed very quietly, so I had to creep right up to the crib and hold my breath, straining to hear him, until I was satisfied he was okay.

Nearly four harrowing hours later, the baby was still breathing, hadn’t stirred, and the parents arrived home safely. The Dad drove me home and paid me my fee of $7. I thanked him and staggered to bed, exhausted, feeling that the money I was clutching was the most well earned I had ever possessed.

Not all baby sitters are as conscientious (or paranoid!) as I was. Here are some suggestions to make the whole experience successful and stress-free.

• The best way to find a great baby sitter is by personal referral. Ask around among other parents at school or nursery until you find one that can’t speak highly enough of their sitter.
• Always ask for references, and be sure to check them out.
• When you have an initial chat with your potential sitter, be sure to ask what they would do in an emergency. You’re not looking for a qualified nurse, but you do need to know you have someone with enough sense to recognize an emergency and call the right numbers if needed.
• Always leave your own contact number in case of emergencies, as well as a list of other emergency numbers such as your doctors, in a handy place near the telephone.
• Keep lots of snacks on hand.
• Be sure to tell the sitter what they can do, e.g. where to find food and drinks, how to work the TV, whether they are allowed to use the phone and the computer.
• Most children need to be introduced to the sitter once or twice before being left in his or her charge. If your children are a little shy or insecure, you may need the sitter to spend a little more time with them before the first evening.
• If the children are going to be up for a while once you are gone, give straightforward instructions regarding the bedtime routine, and also let the sitter in on some important secrets – like the children’s favorite games!

If you are lucky enough to get a good babysitter, you might be surprised at how much the children start to enjoy your nights out!

By Cassie

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