Choosing the right babysitter isn’t always as easy as it might seem.
In fact, it can often be pretty stressful.
For one thing, some babysitters might suit some families better than others.
After all, every family has its own needs and priorities.
It’s also hard to know how to judge someone from a quick interview.
These days, this is far less common, and for a good reason.
In other words, age does matter when it comes to babysitters.
“Be aware of the laws in your state.”
With practice comes confidence and skill, especially when it comes to child-minding.
“A babysitter with younger siblings may have the right experience,” says King.
“But, ideally you are looking for a babysitter that has professional experience and non-family references.
You want your sitter to have first aid, CPR training and have positive references.”
It can also cause problems for your children.
With that said, if your babysitter seems nervous, don’t immediately rule them out.
King agrees that nerves aren’talwaysa bad sign.
“It’s ok to be a little nervous for the right reasons.”
Are they quick to respond to emails and texts?
Or do they never seem to be around to answer their phones?
Ultimately, good communication skills matter.
“Babysitters, even experienced ones have to stay in touch with the parents.”
“Communication is key to the success of the parent-caregiver relationship.
An unresponsive babysitter canditate may end up being someone who cancels on you last minute further down the line.
Someone who is late even for a good reason might be a red flag.
Lateness is a bad habit.”
After all, this is a job and it should be treated as such.
In most cases, this is a red flag.
King adds that asking to bring alcohol is a “huge” red flag that is potentially dangerous.
After all, taking care of your children is a big responsibility.
Rashawn works at Sittercity, which is an automated service that can actually run a reference check for you.
King agrees that professional reference are an absolute must.
“Do not hire without references!”
Your babysitter complains about her other families
Some babysitters may have valid complaints about difficult previous employers.
“Depending on the complaints, this can be a problem,” King tells us.
“Ask questions, monitor, guide and follow up.”
Listen to their complaints and assess for yourself whether or not it’s an issue.
However, a sitter who can’t put their phone down may be a red flag.
“A babysitter should NOT take pics of your kids or post anything online,” she says.
Appearances aren’t everything, but they also shouldn’t be completely discounted.
After all, it’s a new person who will be there when you are gone.
They might be shy, confused or even unhappy when they first meet them.
Pay close attention to your child’s reaction to potential babysitters when they first meet.
If your child takes a strong disliking to them, it might be a red flag.
“If you have a bad instinct about a babysitter, listen to that feeling,” says King.
“Maternal instincts are rarely wrong and it is always better to air on the side of caution.
Rashawn agrees that any bad feelings should never be ignored.
“Always trust your gut, especially when it comes to your kids,” she says.
