How To Find a Babysitter Who's Right For Your Family (from a teen sitter's perspective)

I can't count how many times local moms have asked me to babysit or sought help to find a babysitter. They want to know where they can find one, who they can call and what they will have to pay.

Though I do babysit and have friends who do as well, it's not always easy for either my friends to find a job that works for them or for parents to find a babysitter who is available when they need one. Here are some tips for parents to find a babysitter that will meet their expectations:

1) Where to look for names? Here are a few ideas. Ask neighbors with teens to can give you ideas and options. Also, the Scarsdale High School youth employment service called the Y.E.S office keeps lists of students who wish to babysit and you can post a job listing with them. You can find them here: If your kids go to summer camp, another easy way to find a babysitter is by asking one of your kids' favorite counselors to sit. You will have a head start because you already know the sitter is responsible and that your child likes the counselor.

2) Timing is everything: One of the first questions to ask a prospective sitter is their availability. If you need someone for Saturday nights and they are already booked at that time, go no further and call the next number. Keep in mind that many of the babysitters are quite busy with school, "There have been times when it is neurotic how much I am relied upon," says a Scarsdale High School student. If you really like your babysitter, communicating with them and scheduling a day that works both of you is important. Sophomore Aggie Chamlin says, "I try my best to accommodate the families but it doesn't always work out. This sometimes results in them changing the date or time so that they can go out and know that their kids are happy and safe."

3) The interview: Here are some good questions to ask a potential sitter:

• Why/when did you start babysitting?
• What experience do you have?
• When are you available? Friday/Saturday nights?
• If you have younger children: what is your experience with infants?
• What training do you have in first aid or babysitting?

In terms of a teen's work experience with children, you can consider not only babysitting jobs, but work as a summer counselor too.

4) Set clear expectations ahead of time: One student who babysits said, "The bad experiences I had were mostly when one of the children were in a cranky mood and I didn't know how to deal with them, like if they had a favorite book or food..." Communicate your daily routines to your sitter and let them know the "house rules." For instance: are electronics allowed? Dessert? Is the oven allowed to be turned on for baking? Both you and the babysitter will be much more comfortable if they know what's allowed and what's not.

Also let the sitter know how much you expect them to do in addition to watching the kids. While some families ask the sitter to help bathe the children, cook dinner, dress them or clean up, others just want the sitter to keep the kids happy while the parents are out. If your babysitter is worried about making dinner while taking care of the kids, don't ask him/her to do too much more.

5) Talk to your kids about how it went after the sitter leaves: Their feedback is probably the best way to know if you should hire the sitter again. Chamlin says, "in order to guarantee that your kids have a positive and fun experience while you are out, make sure that your children like the babysitter you pick." Another Scarsdale High School student Eliza Auchincloss says, "It's a lot nicer when the kids can communicate and are able to open up to me because it makes the job way more enjoyable." When the kids feel comfortable around your babysitter, the experience is positive for everyone; you, your kids, and the babysitter.

5. Some other tips:
• Don't forget to prepare food beforehand: not only for your children but also your babysitter.
• If your potential babysitter is too young for your comfort level, ask them to bring a friend along.
• Staying out late? Give the sitter a time later than you think you'll be out; it's always better for you to come home early than late. If you are out and figure out that you will be coming home later than you told your babysitter, call and let them know.
• Even if your babysitter lives close: offer to drive home if they don't have a car. Remember that your babysitter is also someone's child!
• How much should you pay? The going rate is anywhere from $12-$15

Are you available to babysit or looking for a sitter? Post your name/number in the comments section below!