How to Choose a Baby Sitter

How do you find a competent sitter so you can have a worry-free evening away from the kids? More important, whom should you trust?

Child-care experts say that a parent's top priority is to find someone with experience in crisis management.

According to pediatrician Patricia A. Keener, M.D., in this country, accidental injuries are the leading cause of death in children older than 1. She says five children younger than 5 die every day from accidents in the home.

Dr. Keener is founder and medical director of Safe Sitter, a program that teaches safety and baby-sitting to adolescents. She developed the program after a colleague's 18-month-old choked to death while under an adult sitter's care.

Because teenagers are a large source of today's baby sitters, it is important that they learn proper safety skills in case of emergency. "Young sitters are extremely eager to please," says Dr. Keener. "They want you to think highly of them and are eager to show you they can handle the job."

The best place to start looking, she says, "is within the community you know: your church, the local schools, your workplace."

Check references

Once you have some names, it's important to check their references. These references may come from teachers, from youth group leaders or from other families who have used the sitter, according to the American Red Cross (ARC).

When you contact families the sitter has worked for, ask how many kids they have. Also, find out if they ever had any problems with the way the sitter interacted with their kids.

The next step is to invite the sitter over to ask questions and see how he or she interacts with your children.

This type of interaction shows how much your prospective sitter likes kids and if he or she is open to your methods of parenting.

Be sure to ask about the sitter's training in first aid or CPR. Discuss what he or she may do in certain emergency situations. A competent sitter will be able to answer these questions and prove he or she can handle the job.

Early arrival

After you hire a sitter, have him or her come to your house a half-hour before you leave to go over all emergency issues. "More than half the parents who leave their children with baby sitters under 16 don't leave emergency telephone numbers," says Dr. Keener.

Make sure you discuss your rules with the sitter and always leave your cell phone number or a number where you can be reached at all times. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, a medical professional is permitted to treat your child, experts say. But if it is a non-life-threatening injury, they will need parental consent to treat.

During the evening, be sure to call home, especially if you are not easily accessible. Call home at a time when you may be able to head off a potential problem, such as a half-hour after bedtime, when the kids may be refusing to go to sleep. You could offer some ways for the sitter to convince them it is bedtime.

Dr. Keener suggests parents debrief the sitter when they get home. Ask specifically about areas where you think the sitter may have had trouble. Often sitters think your child's behavior is a reflection on them, and they may be reluctant to admit any behavioral problems unless asked.

Is your sitter qualified?

Check your sitter's qualifications against these characteristics recommended by the ARC Babysitter's Training Program:

• First aid/CPR training

• Maturity

• Good judgment

• Common sense

• Friendly personality

• Responsible

• Nonsmoker

• Healthy

• Neat

• Organized

Necessary information

It's important for you to let the sitter know exactly what you expect so that there will be no misunderstandings. Here are the most common topics of concern:

• Emergency numbers: Give your sitter the local emergency number (911 in most areas) and your cell phone or a number where you may be reached. Also leave the name and number of a neighbor who will be at home.

• Snacks: Leave something for your sitter and child to snack on if you are away for more than three hours. Let the sitter know what the children may eat so there is no confusion.

• Television: Inform your sitter if your child is allowed to watch TV, and explain what channels to avoid, if any. It isn't always obvious to a teen sitter that a small child shouldn't be exposed to hours of music videos.

• Friends and phone calls: If you don't want your babysitter talking on the phone or if you object to friends stopping by, speak up. Parents want sitters to avoid any distractions and devote their time to the kids.

Source:
Publication Source: Health and You magazine
Author: McGuire, Bridey
Online Source: American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/tips.html
Online Source: American Academy of Pediatrics http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/work-play/pages/Finding-a-Sitter.aspx

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your community pharmacist or physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.