The Interview
Once you've found a candidate, interview her as if she's being hired
for a real job -- which she is. "Babysitting is serious business," says
Edna Cronk, director of public policy and resources at the National
Association of Childcare and Referral Agency, in Washington, D. C. "You're
entrusting your child's safety to another person, and that shouldn't be
taken lightly. " Ideally the candidate you're considering should come to
your house for the interview. You'll get a better sense of her
personality, and you can see firsthand how she interacts with your child.
Find out whether she's ever cared for a child the same age as yours (if
you have an infant under 1, you want a sitter who has experience caring
for babies), the types of games she plays with children, and what she does
when children cry or refuse to go to bed.
"It's not enough that the sitter seems responsible and likes kids,"
says Heather Paul, PhD, executive director of the Safe Kids Campaign,
based in Washington, D. C. "She also has to know how to keep kids from
getting hurt and what to do in an emergency. "
Ask a potential sitter whether she knows first aid, CPR, and the
Heimlich maneuver (the last is especially important if you have an infant
who's at the everything-in-the-mouth stage). You can get a sense of how
well she thinks on her feet by asking "What if?" scenarios, such as "What
would you do if my baby were running a fever?" or "What would you do if
the smoke alarm went off?" Finally, if you feel good about this person,
ask for a reference (two if she didn't come via a friend's recommendation)
and check it.
At some point early on, you should ask what she charges. Fees for
babysitting vary across the country, but a teenage babysitter may make
anywhere from $5 to $10 an hour. Expect to pay more for a college student.
If you have more than one child, some sitters charge extra. And if you
want the sitter to do any chores beyond the scope of caring for your kids,
whether it's unloading the dishwasher or folding a load of laundry, be
prepared to pay an additional fee.
Closing The Deal
If the references check out and you hire her, go over house rules. "Be
really clear, especially if you're dealing with a teen. I suggest telling
your babysitter to limit phone use, even after your child goes to bed,"
says McKenzie, "and that you don't want her to have friends over. You
never know what can happen, and you don't want the sitter to be
distracted. " Finally, if you're employing a teenager, ask to meet the
parents. This will give you peace of mind, and most parents want to know
that their teens are going to a safe place.
Before you leave, make sure you allow enough time to go over the kids'
routines together, and review safety and emergency information, such as
the best escape route in the case of a fire. Walk your sitter through a
tour of the house. Point out baby gates and smoke detectors, and tell her
where the first-aid kit, flashlight, and fire extinguisher are located. If
you have a baby, remind the sitter that he sleeps on his back; if you have
an older child, tell her where the bike helmet is, and insist that your
child wear it even if she resists. Don't forget to give the sitter the
specifics of your child's routine: when he goes to bed, whether he's
allowed to watch TV, what you want him to eat, and what he can snack on.
What To Leave Behind
Obviously, you'll tell your babysitter where you will be, the phone
number of the place you're going, and your cell phone number if you have
one. By the phone at home, post the number of your child's doctor, the
police, the fire department, the poison control center's local emergency
number, and a neighbor who can be contacted if the sitter needs help. The
final step is to walk out the door. Now that you're free to have an adult
conversation uninterrupted, you'll inevitably find yourself talking about
-- what else
--
