Photo: Ed Yourdon / Flickr

The very idea of having a stranger look after your little one is so unnerving that many never consider it, but what if a situation surfaces where you have no other choice? Where do you look for a responsible human being to look after your child and how do you know that your child is being taken care of? Thankfully, there are good strategies that you can apply choosing a babysitter and key signs to look for in order to find the perfect candidate.

Where do I start looking?

The first choice for many parents would be someone they know or at least someone who has looked after a child they know, but what if you do not have those options? If you fall within the latter bracket, a good way to start is to let those in your social circle know that you are looking. Someone may have a good contact, but if not, you can always call a professional babysitting agency. If you have placed an ad in the paper or online forum, make sure that you interview the candidate first and perhaps have a friend check up on your child if it is your first time employing them.

What to look for

Every child has different needs and requirements and thus it is up to you alone to decide on the most suitable person for the job. There are some general tips which you can follow to avoid a mishap, though. If the babysitter is going to be alone with your child, you may want someone older and more responsible to take care of them. According to the Red Cross, a babysitter should not be younger than 11 years old. Preteens may be great at helping mothers, but may not be able to handle emergencies. When choosing a babysitter, watch them interact with your child and talk to them about what they would do in various scenarios.

Always check whether the babysitter has had previous experience with children and call up those who have been referenced. Don’t be afraid to use your intuition and if you are not in complete agreement with someone, it may be best to look elsewhere.

Tags: children, Parenting