How to find a babysitter?

[Finger Laker]

We've used a wide variety of sources and it really does blend

We really don't have local family so that isn't an option but many of our friends have kids around the same age, so a kid swap is typically the most cost effective way and it's comfortable as well as we really know our friends and so do our kids

Our babysitter has 5 children ..... we've used 3 of them on different occasions - again, familiarity with the kids, us comfortable with them and their parents, etc

Our son had a situation where if he took a hard bump or got really upset he'd have trouble getting breath - he'd basically get in the face that you would when you'd cry, his lips would turn blue and he's physically react to not being able to breath .......... really frightening to watch, but typically harmless as he'd eventually relax enough to cry - but he'd be spent from it ........ at that point we quit using teenagers for a while

We spoke to one of our friends and she used a women who was in a local graduate physical therapy program .... we called her up and used her or a couple of her friends for a while ..... she moved away and our son doesn't have these breathing spells with any regularity anymore so.......

Our current favorites are the instructors for my kids gymanstics class - the kids are comfortable with them, they are comfortable with children and have CPR training, etc - right now the two we use are both in college studying to become teachers

We've also used the children of my wifes coworkers on occasion ....... although for those it's usually short duration, mid-day where they basically need to just play with the kids and keep them from hurting themselves, each other or things around the house

[MarieNV]

Originally Posted by NJDevil

How do parents find babysitters nowadays? My husband thinks high school girls aren't interested in it like they were when we were growing up. I guess the money isn't good unless you do it often. I know a few couples who would like to find babysitters for their little children. Appreciate any advice.

Just remember the following steps when hiring a babysitter:

1. Check references

2. Run a background check (it's cheap, many services online)

3. Interview the potential babysitter with your child present to see how they interact (most parents leave our this step!)

Follow these basic steps and you will be well on your way to finding a good caregiver for your child!

Good luck in your search!