![]() Most parents find that sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders make ideal sitters. And many younger people find childcare too tiring. Some 75-year-olds have more energy than other people of 55. Activity levels aren't always tied to age, either. ![]() There are 12-year-olds who make more competent babysitters than some 17-year-olds. Toddlers, whose interest in walking and exploring the world can be wearing even for parents, are also vulnerable to being harmed by caretakers who have limited patience, or a lack of understanding about how to handle exuberance and drive.Īge is not a guarantee of maturity. One mother we know refused to hire a babysitter when the sitter commented that she thought a nine-month-old baby was "spoiled." The mom was understandably concerned that the sitter would not have the patience or understanding to tolerate taking care of a baby who might get fussy or cry. Having reasonable expectations about behavior is important not matter how old your child is, but it is especially important for babies and toddlers. Make sure that their expectations are reasonable and that they dovetail with your expectations. Find out how your potential sitter feels about how children should behave. One conflict that often arises with babysitters concerns discipline. A sitter who is more rigid or more lenient than you are comfortable with, or who does not follow your guidelines, can be confusing, and even damaging to your child. It's important that you be comfortable with your babysitter's approach to childcare. Taking care of a nine- or ten-year-old, who may be more independent, requires less energy, but still requires a sense of play. Taking care of a toddler or preschooler, for instance, requires an enormous amount of energy. Why would I settle for less when it's someone who will be caring for my child?"īe aware that the same sitter may not be right for children of all ages. A parent who works in the human resources section of a large corporation notes, "I want specific information when I hire a new employee for my company. Did the sitter arrive on time? Has she ever failed to come? Why? Did he give you ample notice? How did the sitter handle stressful situations? Discipline? Crying? How do the children feel about the sitter? Do they look forward to her arrival? All of these questions will help you make an informed choice about how reliable and responsible your potential sitter may be. When talking with another parent about a potential sitter, don't rely on general comments like, "Oh, he was fine." Ask specific questions. ![]() You can assess these qualities by checking references. The bottom line is that a babysitter needs to be responsible, patient, and levelheaded. There are steps you can take, nonetheless, to insure that your children are well cared for when you go out. But, unless you can rely on relatives or close friends, the options can be bewildering. They can range from sixth-graders to grandparents both males and females can be wonderful babysitters. How do you go about finding a reliable babysitter? How do you know that the sitter is right for your children?īabysitters come from varied backgrounds and in all shapes and sizes. Increasingly, you'll have to look outside the family for occasional childcare. ![]() When you need to take a break, how do you find someone to temporarily take care of your children? If your extended family is scattered across the country, you can no longer count on droppingthe children off with grandma or other relatives for a few hours. ![]()
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