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Finding (and Keeping) a Babysitter

by Theresa Carpine11/30/2007 4:04:35 PM

So maybe you’ve decided to go back to work part-time. Or family next door has the chicken pox so you need to find a temporary after-school option for your kids.  Or you and your spouse are in serious need of a regular date night once a month.  There are lots of different reasons to need a babysitter, for various lengths of time and hours per week.  As seasoned in-home babysitter, I’m happy to give you a few tips on where to find and how to keep the right babysitter for your kids.

Be True to Your School
With Western Washington University sitting just below Sehome Hill, there are lots of college students in the Bellingham area.  Hiring a college student can be beneficial since they often have flexibility in their class schedules for daytime sitting.  Many have their own transportation and they don’t have curfews to prevent them from working late.  The downside is that they will be graduating within the next four years and you’ll be left sitter-less once again.  But they’ll probably know other college students looking for work and they can help you (and your friends) find replacement sitters.  If you’re interested in hiring a college sitter, consider posting a free ad on Western’s Student Employment website, although the response can sometimes be quite overwhelming (college students are always on the lookout for extra cash to support their coffee addiction).

Help a sitter to feel comfortable with you and your kids.

First Impressions
When you’re interviewing sitters, keep in mind that the sitter is also going to be making a decision about you as well.  Make sure the house is moderately clean and have your kids nearby so they can get acquainted with the potential sitter before the first official sitting job.  You know your kids better than anyone, and you want to hire someone that will get along with them, but can still maintain authority.  Also, take an interest in the sitter as a person, not just an employee.  Ask questions that go beyond their background in childcare, like about their family, their academic major, and personal hobbies.  You might even discover that the sitter shares some of the same passions as you and your family.

Compensation
If you’re looking for quality babysitting, you should at least match the state minimum wage ($7.93/hour). But when you consider that many hourly employees are also compensated with tips or commissions, I would recommend adding a few extra dollars to your rate.  And while it’s not required, consider the amount of driving your sitter does.  If you live in the county or in Sudden Valley, a sitter who lives near campus could easily spend an hour driving to and from your house on a regular basis (I speak from experience).  To ensure that this commute is time well spent for your sitter, offer a partial gas reimbursement each month or surprise them with occasional gift cards to let them know how much you appreciate the time and energy they devote to your family.

“Where did my baby brother come from?”
Communicate clearly with your sitter about your philosophies on childrearing.  The sitter is your mouthpiece when you’re gone so make sure you’re on the same page regarding punishments and privileges.  Also, if you have specific ideological beliefs that you’re teaching your children, let your sitter know.  While a sitter might not share your point of view or feel comfortable teaching those ideas to your children, you have the right to expect that a sitter will not undermine your word.  If kids bring up those tricky questions they’re so fond of asking, encourage the sitter to respond with, “That’s a great question.  We should ask your parents what they think when they get home.”

Extended Family
Although you are technically hiring the sitter as an employee, they are going to be working closely with you and your family in your home; it is mutually beneficial to treat them like a new friend.  If they do triathlons or play in band, ask about kid-friendly events that the family could attend to show support for your sitter.  And make an effort to invite them to the kids’ school performances or soccer games.  The more you attempt to include the babysitter as a member of the family, the more likely they are to stick around for a few years.

Hopefully these tips and hints have prepared you to find a babysitter that is right for your family. If you would like to share your own experiences and advice about finding childcare, please Contact Us to learn about becoming a contributor.

A Note About the Author: Theresa Carpine

Theresa Carpine graduated from WWU in 2006 with a BA in English Literature. She enjoys yoga, listening to music, riding her bike in downtown Bellingham, and babysitting really cute kids.