| With more and more 2 income homes in this country, it | | | | other children there. Observe how she interacts with |
| becomes more vital than ever to find a babysitter you | | | | the other children. Does she address their questions |
| can trust. In this article you will find advice for parents | | | | with respect, or does she talk down to them and |
| on finding a trustworthy babysitter and ways to find | | | | make their needs seem unimportant? |
| out before you hire them if they will be a good match | | | | Look around the house; is it clean and taken care of? |
| for you and your child. This babysitter checklist isn't | | | | Obviously it can' be spotless and uncluttered if there |
| complicated, but very important. | | | | are children there, but it shouldn't be trashed either! |
| The first thing to look for on a babysitter checklist is to | | | | Take a look at the other children too. Are they clean |
| evaluate their experience. Have they ever taken care | | | | and in proper clothing? Ask about diaper changing, if |
| of children before? If they have their own children, this | | | | appropriate, and ask to see the diaper changing area. |
| should be a good sign, but then again, their children | | | | Changing multiple diaper for many children can be a |
| could have raised contrary to your parenting beliefs. | | | | breeding ground for germs, so make sure the area is |
| Do they have any training in child care? Many | | | | clean and she has proper personal hygiene when |
| babysitting courses offer training in CPR and first aid. | | | | changing diapers. |
| This is very important for them to have regardless of | | | | Once you decide on a likely candidate, set up a |
| the ages of children they are babysitting. | | | | babysitting trial run. Have it last for a few hours so you |
| When you interview a potential babysitter, ask them | | | | can get a real feel for how things will actually go. Call |
| hypothetical questions about different situations that | | | | her a couple times to hear how she sounds and if you |
| could possibly come up while they are caring for your | | | | hear any baby crying. A surprise visit can also prove |
| child. Pay attention to not only what they say, but also | | | | helpful in vetting out any bad habits the babysitter may |
| their reaction to the question and if they try to avoid | | | | have. |
| answering directly. | | | | Ask to see where and how any medications are |
| When you conduct your first interview, leave your child | | | | stored and kept track of. Ideally, they would be stored |
| with someone else. You don't want to be distracted by | | | | in a locked cabinet and there will be a checklist sheet |
| your child while you are going through your babysitter | | | | for each medication to be given out for each day. |
| checklist, and you don't want your potential babysitter | | | | If your child has any special dietary needs, make sure |
| distracted either. If you receive acceptable answers in | | | | that the babysitter is on board as to what they are. |
| the first interview, you can introduce the two later and | | | | You may have to bring your own food for your child, |
| have the chance to see how they interact without any | | | | so determine how this would work now. |
| distractions. | | | | Have a serious discussion on discipline. You don't your |
| Age is an important consideration. The younger a | | | | child being exposed to a double standard where |
| babysitter is, the more chances there are that they are | | | | discipline is concerned. You also don't want someone |
| too immature to handle the responsibilities of caring for | | | | who disciplines in a style you don't approve of. |
| another child. | | | | Bottom line, you have to use your gut instinct when |
| If you will be taking your child to the babysitter's home, | | | | you are going through a babysitter checklist. You know |
| and she cares for other children, visit it not only when | | | | what and who is best for taking care of your child. |
| there are no other children there, but when there are | | | | |