Using A Babysitter

What is a babysitter?

A babysitter is someone over the age of 16 who has a little bit or a lot of experience and who looks after you children when you go out at night or in the weekends. They are not there for the child's daily routine, they are just there to supervise. The children would be most likely asleep when the babysitter is there. If you want someone to be there to prepare their meals and doing an extra chosen thing you really should look into having a nanny.

Why would I need a babysitter?

You need a babysitter if you want to go out in the evenings. Usually, sometimes you may want a babysitter so that you can go out during the day on the weekends. You have a babysitter because you don't have any friends or family who live close by who are willing to look after your children. Also, a babysitter can be someone whose fun, and that your children look forward to seeing, who does lots of games, painting and things before they go to bed. A babysitter is just there to be a little bit of extra help so you can enjoy some spare time with your partner.

What will a babysitter do with the children?

A babysitter may be there during the day or in the evening. If she's there during the day, she probably won't be alone, but she'll do fun activities. She's not anyone who's there to do serious homework or to ensure bath time or to make the child sit through dinner. She should be there to have fun. She can play games and read stories with the children, she might watch a movie with them or play outside on the trampoline. She should be full of energy and should just be there to have fun with your children.

Should I get references for a babysitter?

You should always check references for a babysitter, or any person that is going to be coming into your home, and looking after your children if you're not going to be there. If you've got a babysitter who's quite young, maybe 16 or 17, you can always call their school. Also, a good point of reference is to call their local GP, who might have known them for several years. Or, if they're a member of a church, call the head of the church that they're a member of. You can always check a child carer's references. It's always a good idea.

What age should I start leaving my child with a babysitter?

You can leave your children with a babysitter from when they are first born. It's not a good idea to leave a very young baby, perhaps, under the age of 12 months with someone who doesn't have experience with a child of that age. Even if you think your baby is going to be asleep the whole time you are out, you never know what might happen. The baby might wake up and be very upset and distressed and some people don't know what to do with a child that young.

What can I expect of a babysitter?

You can't expect too much of a babysitter. The babysitter is really just there so that you can go out for a few hours. She might put the children to bed, or if you ask her she could prepare a meal for the children. You shouldn't expect her to fiddle with the housework, cook or clean in the few hours that you're out. She's just there to have fun with the kids.

What information should I leave with a babysitter?

Always leave with a babysitter, all emergency telephone numbers, and alternate contact numbers for yourself and your partner. You should leave contact details of friends or family that live close by, so if there is an emergency there's someone that can always be contacted. You should make sure the babysitter knows when you're going to be returning. If you're going to be late, you should call the babysitter and let them know. Make sure the babysitter knows where everything is in the house, and if they're allowed to eat something - tell them what they are or not allowed to have and give the babysitter all information about when the children should be going to sleep. If they're allowed to watch TV, what they're allowed to watch on TV. And if they're allowed any more cookies or sweets before they go to bed, or if that's not allowed at all.

What do I do if I am not happy with a babysitter?

If you're not happy with a babysitter, don't call her again to come to your house, find somebody else. There are a lot of babysitters around. You don't want to have someone in your home if you are not comfortable with, or confident in her ability to keep your children.