When I had my first child, I really felt guilty when I called a babysitter. I felt like I should have been home with her, but I learned quickly with my second child why good moms get babysitters.

My second child had severe colic. She screamed from four in the afternoon until one in the morning. Non-stop screaming…despite any baby wearing, breastfeeding and food adjustments that I made.

Finally, in an effort to restore my sanity, we hired a babysitter. Actually, we hired TWO. One sitter to handle the screaming baby and one was to tend to my other child. (I really didn’t think I should put the pressure of such a difficult child on just one person.)

What happened? I had time to relax. I had time to have a conversation with my husband. I was refreshed and come back a better mom.

After a while, our babysitters moved away and we lost those nights away. Fortunately, with the internet, now we can even get help finding a sitter online. Sites like Sittercity help you locate great local babysitters so you don’t have to give up your date nights ever again.

I have never again doubted myself for hiring a babysitter. Moms in today’s society have the opportunity to “do it all,” but we really do not have to do it alone. There are other people out there who would be happy to give us a break and give your children a fresh and fun face for a few hours.

Sometimes, a good babysitter can do wonders…even make you a better mom.

By: Beth Howland

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Many of us are hiring new babysitters as the school season is about to get into full swing. Here are some tips on how you should interview a babysitter, what you should ask for and how you know if he or she is right for your family.

The Initial Interview

The initial interview will be based on your observations, the questions that you ask and your overall impression of the sitter. Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

1. What do you like most about babysitting and being with children? What do you like the least?

2. Do you have any special training or certification? Are you trained in first aid or CPR?

3. What is your approach to discipline?

4. What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing with children?

5. May I obtain a background check?


If you are confident with this initial conversation, you should ask for a list of references and other personal information about the candidate that you may need to perform a background check, like: previous names and addresses, birthdate, driver’s license and social security number, and anything else you might want to know. If you use a babysitting service like Sittercity, they will obtain a background check, references and other information for you and have reviews from other families who have previously used this babysitter.

The Second Interview

Just like any other job interview process, it is important to have a second “interview” with the kids. Simply arrange for him or her to meet and play with your children. This will help you to be able to see how he or she relates to your kids and how the children react to the new sitter. Some families have the person baby sit once while they are still in the home, in order to help a new sitter get accustomed to the family, the rules of the house, and to make sure you are confident that things will work out when you leave them alone.

If you followed these guidelines, you should be able to determine if the babysitter is right for your family. Although it seems like quite a process, finding a great babysitter is worth the effort.

By: Beth Howland

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So whats the deal with background checks? Are they really worth it? Well a short answer would be yes or of course background checks are worth it. Especially if you are the person hiring for your business or you are the owner of the business. So what you need to know is that having a background check performed on prospective employees is a must and is essential for business growth and integrity. Of course no one wants to hire employees who are going to treat their customers like crap or steal from their business. This is why performing a check on a employee is a must.

So how do you do one? Well that is quite simple you can find many different places online that will do a background check for you for a little bit of cash, of course they are not free. I mean who gives out free stuff anymore that is actually worth doing? No one right, so yes in order to get the most essential and useful information that is actually going to help you and your business then of course you are going to have to pay something. But you do not have to pay alot. You can find many places that will offer them at the lowest prices.

Also you should do a check if you are hiring a babysitter for your kid or if you are dating someone and would like to know more about that person. I mean come on now aday’s you really need to know who the people are that you are dating or watching your kid. This is why doing a check is essential to your welfare and protection.

By: James Dean

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Did you know that there is a secret to finding a great babysitter? No, it is not about where you live. It is not being in the right place at the right time. It is not about knowing the right people.

The secret is to use the internet. Yes, the internet.

The internet has become the place to find answers to your questions, find product reviews and even find dates! Now you can even find babysitters.

There are sites on the internet that will match you with the perfect babysitter right in your local area. Some sites have thousands of babysitters in their database! Now you don’t have to beg your friends to use their sitters or settle for someone that you are not so sure about.

One site, Sittercity, has great babysitters and nannies all over 17, located nationwide, and they are often knowledgeable in areas like pre-med, early childhood education, CPR, and first aid. If you want a background check, they have that too.

These online babysitting services are easy to use and do not charge additional fees for using care providers found on the sites…it is all included in your membership.

They give you access to the sitter’s education, experience and even references. You just go online, search through dozens of babysitters right in your local area, and pick up the phone to interview them yourself.

The only downside? We can no longer complain about not finding a good sitter…because the internet has made it so easy.

By: Beth Howland

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