Finding babysitters to look after your precious little ones is not an easy job. Depending on when and how often a baby sitter is needed will dictate how they are found. The babysitter has to be reliable, excellent with kids and not prone to pay attention to everything but the kids. Finding responsible teens to babysit on the weekends or those occasions mom and dad go out can be tricky. At one time finding babysitters was as easy as calling the nearest grandmother, aunt or cousin to take care of the kids.
A good place to start looking for a babysitter is right in the neighborhood. Ask other parents if they will recommend someone in the neighborhood to babysit. If the neighbor has a reliable babysitter, they may not be willing to give up the name. Maybe a family in the neighborhood that the parents know might have a teen willing to babysit. Knowing the family of the babysitter will bring some peace of mind to the parents hiring the sitter. Party hearty teens may not be such a good choice to babysit. They may turn the house into party central.
Sometimes the local YMCA, church, Red Cross, high school and library may offer babysitting classes for teens. The classes address such items as playing appropriate aged games with the kids, how to handle an emergency, questions the sitter should ask about the kids and basic first aid and CPR. A sitter who has taken such a class will be a far better choice for sitter than those that do not. The classes are geared to teens but usually, anyone can take the classes and receive a certificate upon completion. These agencies will have a list of teens and anyone else who has taken the class.
Another option to finding babysitters is to look up a local online babysitting web site. Potential babysitters post a listing of their experience, availability and some of their back ground. Parents can review sitters in their neighborhood and may even find one they either know or know the family. There are reliable sites that carry such listing and are usually related to family oriented web sites. The web sites also contain information about how to interview and hire a babysitter and how to handle a babysitter who is perfect on paper and in an interview but just does not have the right stuff when it comes to being with the kids.
Another option to finding a babysitter is a child care agency. They keep a listing of approved, screened and interviewed babysitters, and match potential clients with the babysitter. The sitters are required to complete some sort of training and work on a trial basis before being hired on a permanent basis. The sitters are usually all ages and are available long term, short term, weeks in advance, last minute and on a regular basis. Even though these sitters have been interviewed before being hired by the agency, it is also good idea for the parent to also interview the babysitter. If possible, have the children meet the sitter before being hired. It is important the babysitter be right for the kids and the family.
Author Resource:
Leighonas Duforiffic is the loving parent of two kids and loves talking about situations parents are usually faced with. She would like for you to see her Glenna Jean Spa Sets and the Glenna Jean Olivia Crib Bedding Collections.
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