The vast majority of parents need the services of a babysitter at some time or another, either for a sporadic night or every afternoon for a while or because someone must take care of the little ones while the parents work. Thus, it is an issue that you and your partner should consider, if possible before they desperately need it. In this way, they can choose a candidate that meets their expectations, or most of them. The subject is: How do you find a trusted babysitter?
Before you start looking, you and your partner should be clear about exactly what you are looking for: are you looking for someone who plays with the children? Someone responsible who goes to look for them at school and accompanies them to the place where they do certain extracurricular activities? , Or someone who takes care of them and at the same time perform certain household chores?
As a first step (it has worked for me) you can talk with friends and neighbors to tell them that you are looking for a babysitter. Word of mouth usually works quite well in these cases. Other ideas you can follow: inspect bulletin boards of universities, kindergartens, colleges, institutes: there are usually offered students who have some free time to do this type of work; place posters in stores in your neighborhood, clearly specifying what you are looking for; Ask in kindergartens: there are caregivers who only work part-time and look for this type of work to get a bonus; Ask your parish in your neighborhood: maybe they can inform you there of some mature and well-disposed woman, who will surely do well to earn some extra money and feel useful again; Finally, contact a babysitter hiring agency.
During the interview of the possible candidate, allow your child to be present; After all, he will take care of him and it is a good chance to imagine how the duo could work. If your child is old enough, ask him what he thought; Your answer may surprise you: it may bother you that you are too old to play with him or too young for him to feel safe in his company. Don't be afraid to ask both general and specific questions during this first meeting; These inquiries will allow you to find out those aspects that are important to you. Ask about their rates before hiring, and make it very clear if holidays or after a certain time the price varies.
Clearly set from the beginning the schedules, the functions you must perform and the rules that prevail in your home, so that there is no confusion or misunderstanding. The first day you come, stay home most of the time, or at least part of it, to monitor the situation. Take the opportunity to show the house and update everything; Let the children show him his room and his things.
After the first few weeks, ask your children for the babysitter. In addition to taking into account their answers, look at their behavior: if all is well, you will have found the right person.
