As working parents, it can be very difficult to juggle your home, professional and social lives - after all there are only 24 hours in the day. Parents need to be able to spend time together. Sometimes, assistance with the children is a necessity and you must seek a babysitter. Finding the right babysitter is important for both you and your children. Here are several factors to take into consideration.
Is the person able to work within the rules and boundaries that you set? With a new babysitter in your home, it is critical to set rules and boundaries from the beginning. What do you want your children to be doing and when? For example, what time do you want each child to take a bath? Set out a list of times with corresponding activities, such as reading, homework, having dinner, bath time and sleep time. If the person balks at following your rules and boundaries, that person will not make a good babysitter.
Does the person understand children and want to spend time with them? Take into consideration the personality types of your children. Does the person understand that each child has his/her own personality and likes and dislikes? Will the person accommodate them? Try giving the person tips on how to go about dealing with each child. Does the person seem willing to accept your suggestions? What does the person want to do with each child while you are away?
What is your budget for paying a babysitter? Typically, parents hire a high school or college-aged student as a babysitter. These students are usually just looking to earn some extra money for the remainder of the school year. Even so, there can be a risk of underpayment. While there are no strict rules about how much to pay a babysitter, you should do some research on average wages in your area and ask friends and work colleagues. This information will be helpful in setting a comfortable budget for the both of you.
How do you know if this person is dependable? Again, ask friends and colleagues for recommendations as to who to hire and who to avoid. Keep your rules in mind when posing your inquiries. Parents should be very protective of their children, so consulting one who has similar values can be a huge assistance in your search for the right person.
Ask your children about their time with the babysitter. Parents typically talk with their children about school or social activities, and they should also do so about their children’s time with babysitters. You are hiring and entrusting that person to watch over your most precious possessions and to follow your guidelines. Asking your children about their experience will encourage them to cooperate while you are away. Also, children are notorious truth tellers. Just give them the opportunity to talk and they will let you know everything - from playing games with their babysitter to watching their sitter take a nap while no one was supposedly looking.
The health and happiness of your children should always be your top priorities, whether they are in your presence or not. The search process for a good babysitter can get tedious, and sometimes feel never ending, but the comfort in knowing and trusting the person who has your children in his/her hands will definitely be worth it.