Due diligence in finding a babysitter (babysitting, method, teaching, parents)

[shuke]

OK, so I'm in the process of trying to replace Leah, the 18 year-old who started college last week and who was absolutely fabulous as a babysitter. I have determined one step that's very helpful - actually more helpful than checking any references - is to google the sitter's phone number. Also do a search specifically on myspace for certain keywords that might locate the sitter's myspace page if there is one.

This is what the phone number search recently revealed for one I was considering. No joke:

i should be home next weekend give me a call (phone # deleted). my parents flipped out today and told me they were going to kick me out of my house if i wasnt in treatment by the end of the week but i dont think that will happen. i miss you!!!!!!!!!!

In the photo on her profile she also looked considerably more haggardly than she did in person. 23 years old, too. Looked like a meth addict in that myspace photo!

[MainStreet]

Originally Posted by shuke

OK, so I'm in the process of trying to replace Leah, the 18 year-old who started college last week and who was absolutely fabulous as a babysitter. I have determined one step that's very helpful - actually more helpful than checking any references - is to google the sitter's phone number. Also do a search specifically on myspace for certain keywords that might locate the sitter's myspace page if there is one.

This is what the phone number search recently revealed for one I was considering. No joke:

i should be home next weekend give me a call (phone # deleted). my parents flipped out today and told me they were going to kick me out of my house if i wasnt in treatment by the end of the week but i dont think that will happen. i miss you!!!!!!!!!!

In the photo on her profile she also looked considerably more haggardly than she did in person. 23 years old, too. Looked like a meth addict in that myspace photo!

I'm past the need for a babysitter. But wanted to tell you how valuable these tips are. Thanks for sharing this.

[5FLgirls]

I never would have thought to do that. I am definitely going to try this. Thank you!

[ahava]

Try checking facebook.com too. It's insanely popular among high school and college kids.

[5kingsinvegas]

A really good place to look for a babysitter/nanny is the local college school of education. Alot of college students who are going to school for teaching really enjoy babysitting and are usually pretty dependable. I know that I found names and numbers posted on the message boards at our local campus. I would still use the methods the op suggested to make sure they are responsible. I would also like to come at this from the opposite side. I have a 13 year old who enjoys babysitting and it is just as scary for me to let her babysit for people I barely know. She is called all the time by people who I don't know but who have been given her number by others she has sat for. I have had to say no a few times just because I had a bad feeling about the situation.