Babysitter Tips

Choosing a baby sitter for daily care of your child or just for an occasional night out can be a difficult decision. This is especially true if you don't have family members nearby that can pitch in and take care of your child, at least occasionally. Before you begin your search, take a few moments to read the following tips.

Baby Sitter Tips: House Rules and Guidelines

Although you'll want to meet with your baby sitter before she actually keeps your child, it is always best to write down your expectations. Because you may need to go over several points with your babysitter, keeping a list posted prominently somewhere in your house can ease your mind and help your baby sitter become use to the routine of your household. Obviously, your house rules may differ somewhat from the following list, but you get the idea.

1. A list of foods that your child can eat while you are gone. Be sure you also give a list of foods that your child is not allowed to have, such as choking hazards like grapes, hotdogs, hard candy, etc. Of course, this list will depend on your child's age.
2. A list of television programs your child is allowed to watch.
3. Decide whether your child can play outside, and let your babysitter know the guidelines
4. Appropriate bedtime procedures, such as location of pajamas, need for a bath, storybooks, nighttime snack, etc.
5. Be specific about what your babysitter is and isn't allowed to do, such as talking on the phone, using your computer, allowing friends to visit, etc.
6. Discipline procedures should be spelled out to the babysitter.

Baby Sitter Tips: Safety and Emergency Procedures

Of course, nobody wants to think that anything bad will happen while you are gone and your child is staying with someone else. Still, it is always better to be prepared. If your babysitter hasn't already done so, encourage her to take a babysitter safety course through your local American Red Cross.

1. Post a list of emergency numbers, such as the Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222, your local fire and police departments, your child's pediatrician, and of course 911.
2. Leave your cell phone number as well as the number of the place that you will be.
3. Leave the numbers of neighbors and relatives who live nearby.
4. Have emergency procedures in place, such as clear evacuation plans in case of fire, the safest area in case of bad weather, etc.
5. Leave health insurance information with your babysitter, also.
6. Be sure you inform the babysitter about any health problems that your child might have, such as asthma, food allergies, etc., and give her plenty of information on what to do in case of a medical emergency, such as an asthma attack, allergic reaction, etc.

Baby Sitter Tips: Choosing a Baby sitter

Of course, educating your babysitter is very important, but how do you choose a babysitter? If you have family and/or friends that are willing to babysit, then you may not have a problem, but what if you don't have any idea where to find someone that you can trust to keep your child?

1. While they may not want you to steal their babysitter, friends and family may be able to give you a few names of reliable sitters.
2. If you have a local community college or university nearby, there will probably be employment services or job boards that you can search. Always ask for references!
3. If you belong to a local church, check with the youth group for young people willing to babysit your child.
4. Of course, you can always advertise in your local newspaper, but keep in mind that you may get a few responses that you don't like, and this can be risky!
5. Check with local employment agencies for a list of reputable and reliable childcare givers.
6. Finally, don't forget to ask your pediatrician. He or she may be able to give you several names!

Related Baby Links

• Baby Sleep Patterns
• Baby Routines
• Toddler Separation Anxiety
• Baby Safety
• Baby Sitter