We’ve all seen the horror reports on the news; hidden cameras blowing a babysitter’s cover, exposing their evil deeds and witnessing the appalling treatment dealt out to youngsters. It needn’t be that way. As a parent, it is your responsibility to be vigilant about whom you choose to care for your child when you’re not there.

(more…)

It’s been said that kids don’t come with an instruction manual. However, it’s a really good idea to write one when it comes to leaving your children in the care of a babysitter or relative. These days, so many kids suffer from food allergies, plus, many dangers present themselves in modern homes, and you are well advised to put together a checklist for the benefit of any person who is required to take charge of your children when you’re not home.

(more…)

Kids minding kids is never a good idea. It doesn’t make sense to put a child in charge of a child so that should be your basic guideline for the age of the babysitter that you select.

There are laws that govern the minimum age for babysitters. For instance, in New Hampshire, babysitter age guidelines were set in a Bill that will take effect on January 1, 2007. It states that “It is acceptable for children ages 11 to 14 to baby-sit, with the expectation that the parent, guardian, or caretaker will be returning to supervise the children later that same day.” It also states: “It is acceptable for children ages 15 and older to baby-sit for more than 24 hours.”

(more…)

If ever there were a time you should not cut costs, it’s when paying a babysitter. Not that you shouldn’t receive value for money, but when you’re considering the value you place on your children’s lives, you need to be sure that your babysitter is worth what she charges.

Obviously rates vary, starting from a few dollars per hour for a teenage sitter who basically minds the kids for a short time while you attend to errands, through to more significant figures for highly trained professionals with years of experience who may be called upon to stay with the children for an entire weekend.

(more…)

Good babysitters don’t grow on trees, but you do have to search high and low for the pick of the crop.

Keep in mind that you are looking for someone who will take excellent care of your children in your absence. Be prepared to pay appropriately for quality care and peace of mind.

(more…)

Peace of mind is everything when arranging for a babysitter to take care of your children. If you intend to employ a total stranger, the only way you can achieve total peace of mind is to run exhaustive checks on anyone whom you consider leaving in charge. It’s not enough to make an assumption that someone “seems like a nice lady” just because they demonstrate good manners and dress neatly. You know yourself that when you are trying to educate your children about stranger danger, it’s difficult to make the point clear that even though someone looks “normal”, they could be dangerous. This is where you need to heed your own advice and while instinct is a valuable tool, more concrete evidence is required when selecting a babysitter. After all, you are entrusting them with the lives of your precious children.

(more…)