Does it seem you’re constantly on the lookout for a new babysitter? Having sitters marching into and out of your child's life is tough on both of you.
Stop the flow of new sitters with a "mini-interview." It should only take about 20 minutes:
Get Acquainted
Invite the sitter over to meet your child. S/he should give your child attention and be willing to play. The sitter should be warm toward your child, not indifferent.
Ask Questions
What experience does the sitter have with children? This could include tutoring younger children, watching neighbors or siblings in the yard or babysitting siblings. What babysitting ideas does she have to share with you? What does babysitting mean to her?
Has s/he taken classes in child care or babysitting? Had any training in first aid or in handling emergency situations (including Girl Scout or related organization)?
How many children has s/he babysat at once? For how many hours at a time?
Ask hypothetical questions. What would s/he do if your child won't eat or go to bed? What about if the child became sick or simply scraped a knee? Use the responses to test his/her judgment in emergency situations.
Cover Your Expectations
Describe household rules such as bedtime routine and how you expect your child to be comforted or disciplined. Go over "babysitter rules," such as no gabbing on the phone or having friends over while watching your children. The reaction to the rules will tell you whether you want this sitter watching your children.
Get and check references. You would do it for daycare -- why not for a babysitter?
Schedule A Trial Sitting Job
Before you leave your child in the hands of a new sitter for an entire evening, hire her for a one-or two-hour sitting job while you go shopping or run errands. It will give you an idea how well your child and the sitter get along in action.
Finding a responsible sitter who puts your mind at ease, whether you have to be gone for two hours or all day, is not an easy task. But if you screen babysitters, you'll find one both you and your children like -- and that will put an end to the babysitter brigade.
Lisa Wroble is a freelance writer.