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| Hiring a Baby Sitter |
By:
C. L Hendricks |
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Are you going to be hiring a baby sitter and have been wondering exactly what to look for? That’s a question that many experienced parents have already sorted out for themselves. We asked a group of parents to identify what they considered the most important criteria for choosing a person to watch their children. While there were a few standard answers, there were a number of specifics that each parent considered important.
The top 7 criteria for selecting a baby sitter by these parents were that a baby sitter needs to be:
* Patient
* Responsible
* Mature
* Trustworthy
* Reliable
* Experienced with children, preferably of a similar age to your child
* Respectful of the parent’s wishes and instructions
Here are some other specific qualifications that some parents considered absolutely vital when considering hiring a baby sitter.
* Many schools have baby sitting courses, and present a certificate to children who complete the course. Ask the sitter if they have taken the course, and ask to see the certificate.
* One of the ways in which I evaluate a baby sitter is by his/her appearance. If they are neat and clean, I get the sense that they care about things.
* Babysitters should know CPR and always know the poison control number to call in the case of an emergency.
* They should be at least 16 so they could get the baby to the hospital in the case of an emergency.
* Look for someone who truly loves children and who engages them properly and plays with them.
* Look for someone with good judgment and who knows how to set boundaries.
* Look for a person who has good local references/recommendations from a close friend.
Parents need to trust their gut. If something doesn’t feel right then do not even consider hiring that person to watch your children. Some parents include the children in the interview process, because children often have a better insight into the sincerity of adults.
Don’t hesitate to do a background check, especially if the sitter is an adult. Often your local police department will be able to perform such a screen, and even do a federal check to look for any criminal history.
When hiring a baby sitter be sure to check out all references. These are your children so it is up to you to do everything within your power to protect them in your absence. Some parents even make a point of installing a nanny cam as an extra measure of security.
C.L. Hendricks has been a Jill-of-all-trades and become an expert in some. She writes for http://www.invitingsmiles.com and http://www.survival-homestead.com, as well as several other websites on a variety of topics. |
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