Getting and Keeping a Great Baby Sitter
In today’s age of the “super-nanny,” when kids can be demanding and difficult to control, how do you find a great baby-sitter? Not long-term care, but a responsible person to watch your child on a Friday night—that kind of baby sitter. To quote my favorite ghost movie, who you gonna call?
The obvious first choice is any relative you can convince. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles will often baby-sit for free just to get some quality baby time. This free baby sitter service is probably more difficult to come by the older your child is.
The next good place to look is your church, if you belong to one. There are probably some responsible high school students who belong to a youth group that would be willing to baby-sit. Another source is your neighborhood newsletter. There are always older kids hanging out a shingle for baby-sitting services. Some are even Red Cross certified in CPR and first aid, which can definitely give you greater peace of mind in case of emergencies.
Now that you have chosen a baby-sitter, make it clear to your older children that they are to be nothing but helpful. Your children should know that any pranks or cruelty to the baby-sitter will not be tolerated, and they should know in advance what the consequences will be if the baby sitter has to report any bad behavior.
Make sure to leave a number where you can be reached, the phone number for poison control, and a 911 reminder sticker by the phone. Also leave a number of an adult who lives on the block in case the baby sitter is concerned about being alone in the house at night. Leave snacks or dinner for your children and let the baby sitter know what he or she can eat from the pantry and refrigerator. Add favorite games and a video or two and your kids should be set for a night of fun with their new friend the baby sitter!
For more information about babies visit: Baby Shower
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