Having a reliable and competent babysitter has the potential to change your lifestyle completely. It is great to have someone to call on when you want to spend some time together or if you need to keep appointments, etc.
One of the best ways of getting a babysitter is to approach other parents in your area. Those with teenagers will be able to help, while parents in the same boat as yourself will obviously be able to fill you in on what's happening and who is available in your area.
The most important asset of any babysitter is a love for children. Sometimes young teenagers can be very shy and may be uncommunicative with adults, but once mum and dad are gone they love playing with and chatting with the children. You can usually judge how your sitter is getting on by observing your child's relationship with her. A good babysitter is a friend to your child and you know you have got it right when your child looks forward to seeing the babysitter and is comfortable and relaxed with her.
There is some debate as to what the most appropriate age group is for babysitters. Fourteen would seem to be the youngest age suggested, but most experts agree that the babysitter's level of maturity and competence are the main attributes to consider. As you know these can vary widely within any age group, but a useful pointer is the level of experience they have had in helping out in their own homes or other experience of babysitting.
When looking for a babysitter there are a number of points to consider:
What type of hours are you looking for — is it just for a few hours once a week or is it for longer periods of time?
Will the babysitter be expected to put your child to bed or will you do this?
For the sitter's first few visits it is probably best that she observes you doing this so she gets an idea of your child's routine.
Do you need a babysitter for weeknights? This may not suit schoolgoers as many babysitters are studying on weeknights and their parents would take a dim view of them being kept out late on a school night.
Have you a means of transport to drop the babysitter home or will you arrange for her to stay overnight if you are planning a late night out?
If you don't have transport then you should try to get a babysitter within walking distance so you can accompany her home at night.
The relationship you form with your babysitter is an important one and you should be able to trust her completely. It is important that she also feels welcome into your home and is treated well. It will help in the long run if you lay down your ground rules early with your new babysitter. Be clear on issues like discipline techniques, visitors to your house when you are out, use of the phone, etc. Is it OK with you if your sitter wants a friend to visit?
Most teenagers are not used to discussing the money they expect to earn and often become shy when asked what they would expect to receive. If this is the case it is best to check out locally the going rates for babysitting and check with your babysitter that that is OK with her. It is only fair that she has some idea of what she can expect to earn when babysitting for you.
It is always a good idea to have a back up you can call on if your regular babysitter is not available. You could ask your regular babysitter if she knows of anyone, or use your local network to identify another babysitter.
For more information, visit www.RollerCoaster.ie, Ireland’s No 1 website for pregnancy and parenting.
