How to choose the best babysitter

Mom of two, Narique Sangster, shares great tips on finding your very own Mary Poppins.

On your quest to carve out some time to do the things you want – or need – to do in your daily life, you’ve gone through a long and gruelling search for a babysitter, set up interviews, and now you have a handful of promising candidates to consider. But how do you know you’re making the right decision? Finding a babysitter who ticks all the boxes can be a challenge, but when you ask the right questions, you’re most likely to find the perfect person to take care of your precious child.

Know what you’re looking for

It’s important to set your expectations right from the get-go. What kind of person would be the perfect fit for your family? What are the times and days you’ll need them to help out, or will it be ad-hoc? Will they need to drive your child around, take them to extra mural activities or cook specific meals? Do they need to have a particular childcare style when it comes to discipline, play and education? When you know exactly what you’re looking for, the process of choosing a babysitter becomes a whole lot simpler.

Ask the right questions

What matters most to your family? Write a list and transform these requirements into questions. Think about the kind of answers you would like to hear. The standard questions around experience, age and approach are incredibly important, but remember to ask questions that address your family’s unique needs, too. These may be along the lines of:

  • What is your attitude towards discipline?
  • Are you able to cook while also being mindful of what my child is doing?
  • How many years have you been driving?
  • My child has been struggling to come to terms with having a new sibling. How will you handle the little rumbles that are sure to crop up?

Also remember that even if a candidate has answered each of your interview questions perfectly, you’re still going to need to spend some time with them to establish whether they’re just right for you. If you’re serious about hiring them, invite them for a second interview with your children present. You’ll be able to get a sense of their true nature, and of course, whether they truly connect with your child.

Ask around

Asking the right questions also applies to your babysitter’s references. Aside from doing the necessary background checks, be prepared to have an open, detailed conversation with their previous employer. Be upfront about what you’d like to know. Figure out how similar or different their previous situation was, and how you can use that information to come up with an arrangement that works both ways.

Follow your instincts

No-one knows your child better than you do. You will know - within minutes - whether someone would be the ideal caregiver for them or not. If you feel at ease, or even excited, and confident that your child is in good hands, then you know that you have found the perfect fit. If not, take the time to extend your search, even if you can’t put your finger on exactly what put you off. It is well worth it when it comes to keeping your child happy, and your mind at ease.

Be flexible

Certain things are non-negotiable, like your child’s safety and basic needs. When it comes to making your arrangement work, it’s important to remain flexible, and to be honest with yourself if you need to make a change. To be safe, agree to a trial period and see how it goes.

All the best!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article/post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Woolworths or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and/or advisers.

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