Choosing The Right Babysitter Ensures Your Children Are Safe And Protected While You Get A Well-Deserved Break And A Chance To Re-Connect With The ‘Grown-Up’ World
Babysitters are a necessary part of the Parenting Experience. Parenting is hard work, and every Parent needs a break from home and children every now and again. When that time comes it is vital that you have a short list of very dependable, loving and qualified sitters that you can call on to safeguard the most precious possession you have on this earth: your children. It should be noted that the first few times you leave your baby, toddler and/or child with a sitter, even if it’s with your own mother, you will likely feel stressed and anxious and preoccupied for the well-being of your child. This is a normal reaction and one to be expected, especially from the mothers who bond so very deeply with their children in the first years of their lives. Hint: Save the expensive nights out on the town or those important can’t miss events for when you are comfortable with leaving your child with a Babysitter. This process does get easier with time and experience. It goes without saying (but you KNOW I am going to say it anyways) that the best sitters are those people with whom you and your children already have a natural and comfortable relationship with. They don't have to be versed in Parenting Curriculum or have taken a Parenting Course. They simply have to be trustworthy people whom you can trust with the temporary care of your children. Grandparents make especially good sitters. After all, look how good you turned out! Any close and reliable relative whom you trust completely and whom your child knows, likes and respects would be the logical first choice for the best sitter you can find.
Since you want to feel completely safe and comfortable with the sitters who will care for your precious bundle of joy for a few hours, here is a list of some Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind. Babysitter Do’s • Be sure the Babysitter is at least 13 years old and mature enough to handle your children and any emergency that may arise Note: 13 is the minimum age of a person with which you can leave a child Note: 12 is the minimum age at which a child may be left alone, with parental judgment and discretion always being called into question on this point • Get references and talk to other parents for whom your Babysitter has sat • Interview the sitter and get all of your questions answered • Invite the sitter over to interact with your child while you are there to supervise and monitor • If the sitter is a minor, talk with their Parents about their level of maturity and responsibility • Do expect your sitter to be flexible, kind, responsible, trustworthy, and experienced with caring for and interacting with children • Show how to quickly leave your home in case of fire or emergency • Have emergency supplies such as flashlights and first aid kits on hand – just in case • Always get a cell phone number where your sitter can be reached at all times • If everything checks out and feels right to you, discuss compensation and transportation issues • Have at least 2 to 3 trusted sitters to choose from at any one time to accommodate all of your busy schedules • Treat your sitters like one of the family, because when they are in your home and with your children, that is what you expect them to be • Pay above average rates and keep a good sitter HAPPY!
Babysitter Don’ts • Don’t allow medications to be given to your children while you are away from home • Don’t allow friends to join the sitter in your home as this will be an unwanted distraction • Don’t allow random phone calls or texting as this quickly gets out of control. Ask the sitter to give undivided attention to your child while they are in your home • Don’t answer the door to strangers – ever. Have them call the Police and then call you in case of doubt; in that order • Don’t expect your house to be cleaned or your child to be ‘tutored’. Caring for your child’s comfort, safety and well-being are the only tasks you want accomplished during this time • Don’t forget a good sitter’s birthday or other special holidays. Small acts of kindness pay large dividends in this regard A word of warning is in order here: Most child abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims. 30% are relatives of the child who is abused. I don’t want to frighten anyone unnecessarily but most people are well aware of these statistics. Don’t leave your child with just anyone, be they a relative or not. A Parent’s primary responsibility is to protect and nurture their children. Trust your Parental instincts at all times – they will not lead you astray. Choosing the right Babysitter will help you to do just that.
There is a lot more parenting wisdom to share. Here is another Babysitter thought: Choose a select group of quality Babysitters whom your child very much likes and whom you can trust and depend on, then go out and enjoy yourself without fear or guilt, knowing your child will be safe and protected when you come back home at any time, for any reason, over and over again. Finding The Right Babysitter Is Worth The Time And Effort And Will Help You To Be At Peace And Know Your Children Will Be Safe And Well When You Return Back Home To The Ones You Love.
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