Archive for October, 2010

How to Choose the Right Babysitter

Author: admin

Oct 30



As a new parent, leaving your precious, little bundle with a babysitter can be a scary thought. It isn’t always feasible to leave the baby with a relative or a friend. You may need to find a trustworthy babysitter in your area so that you and your spouse can have some much needed alone time in order for you to reconnect as a couple.

Finding a babysitter you trust can be a tough venture. It is said that accidents are one of the leading causes of death for children who are older than 1 year old. Teenagers are the usual babysitter that one picks, so it is important that the babysitter you choose has all the skills they will need in case an unforeseen accident occurs.

Where to Look for a Babysitter

A great place to look for the ideal babysitter for your family is right in your own community. You can ask around at your place of business, see if anyone is available from your church or put up flyers in the local area high schools advertising for a trustworthy babysitter. You may want to speak to some of the teachers in the school and ask for any recommendations they may have. You can also look to some of your friends and neighbors and see if they have anyone they use that they trust implicitly. Some questions you may want to ask is how many children they have babysat at one time and if any type of accident or problems occurred while they were on duty.

A more modern updated way to look for a baby sitter is to use the internet. There are online sites available for searching for a babysitter in your area. Check the resources box below for more information.

See How the Babysitter Interacts with Your Children

Once you have a few likely prospects, the next step is to see how the sitter and your child get along. Invite the babysitter over and ask any pertinent questions you may have. This enables you to see if your parenting methods mesh with the sitter’s experience and gives you a chance to see how the sitter handles your baby or children.

Be sure that the babysitter you are considering hiring knows first aid and CPR, and ask questions about how the sitter will handle an emergency situation. A sitter who is experienced and trustworthy should be able to provide you with references and answer all your questions easily and with knowledge.

Make Your House Rules Clear

Have the babysitter arrive at least 1/2 hour before you are set to leave. This gives you both a chance to ask any questions and for you to tell the sitter the rules of the house. Be sure you arm the babysitter with all necessary phone numbers in case of an emergency. Make it clear whether the sitter is allowed to make phone calls and if they can have any guests.

It is always a good idea to call home during the evening. This gives you peace of mind that everything at home is running smoothly and gives you a heads up if there are any problems that have occurred. The sitter will be glad to hear from you and more than happy to reassure you that all is going well.

Ask Questions When You Get Home

Ask the sitter if there were any specific trouble areas. Sometimes a babysitter will think that bad behavior from a child is a reflection on them and be reluctant to tell you about it. Clear up any misunderstandings and explain that your child often engages in that type of behavior. For instance, your child may try to avoid going to bed whether there is a sitter there or not. This is something you can address with your child and reassure the sitter that the problem is not because of something they did or did not do.

By: Cindie Thomas

About the Author:
Using SitterCity to Find Your Babysitter Online may be the best option for many people. SitterCity performs background checks on all of the babysitters in their system.

Read this SitterCity recommendation for more information.



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How to Ask For a Reference Person When Hiring a Nanny Or Babysitter

Author: admin

Oct 30



When it comes to screening candidates for the right nanny or babysitter, you need more than an applicant’s credentials to make the right decision. You also need to know more about the candidate’s character and her attitude towards work. A lot of babysitters and nannies come with degrees in child development and have even gone through a lot of specialized nanny training. But there are only a few of them who can really practice what they have learned and those who are truly adept at handling children and catering to their needs.

Learning more about a candidate’s character

The only way to find out how a nanny or babysitter would perform given the set of responsibilities that you present is by finding out how she coped in previous jobs. This is why character references are important. You can, of course, ask the applicant what she thought of her previous jobs and the things that she liked or disliked about them.

But it is also a good idea to look into the other side of the coin and find out what her previous employers, clients and colleagues have thought about her performance. Contacting character references will help you know more about the candidate’s personality and whether or not she has the right disposition to handle the challenge that you have in store.

Types of character references

Most of the seasoned babysitters and nannies are more than ready to furnish their prospective employers with a list of character references. If the applicant does not volunteer this information, you have the right to ask for it. Candidates who take offense on this request might not be suitable for the job at all.

References can be previous employers, a supervisor, professor or anyone who can vouch for the applicant’s character and work ethic. You will want to get references to her last two employers. It’s also important to get the dates when the candidate has worked for them. In case you notice a substantial gap in the dates, you want to find out why this is so. It would also be a good idea to ask her about the gap and why she chose to leave each employer (or why she was let go).

What to ask the references

You need to take the time to contact the candidate’s references, particularly her previous employers. Here are some of the many questions that you may want to ask each individual.
1. How long has the candidate been working for you?
2. Is she still taking care of your kids?
3. How old were your children when you employed the candidate’s services?
4. How many hours did she work and what was her schedule if it was a regular arrangement?
5. What were the caregiver’s weaknesses from your perspective?
6. How did she interact with your children?
7. What types of activities did she do with your kids?
8. Did she ever encounter emergencies while taking care of the children? How did she handle them?
9. How was the candidate compared with all other babysitters that they might have had?

By: Doreen P Lee

About the Author:
Get instant access to thousands of qualified babysitters around your area now by visiting [http://www.hireasitternow.com]



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The Advantages of Hiring a Babysitter

Author: admin

Oct 30



If you are the kind of parent who wishes you could watch over your children personally every minute of the day, you may have qualms about hiring a babysitter. You may have heard a lot of horror stories and seen too many films about irresponsible teens who ignore the child the whole night long. With all the bad propaganda about babysitters, you may feel it is a waste of money. It is far too easy to swear off hiring one.
However, there are advantages to hiring a babysitter that you may not have considered. Here are a few of them.

- There will be times when you have a work-related pressing engagement. In such instances, you will not be able to take your child along with you. Some of these affairs may take all night and you will not be able to refuse without doing damage to your career.

- There will also be times when you simply need a vacation or some couple time without the kids. If you are in a marriage, you will need these bonding moments every once in a while to strengthen your relationship. Think of it this way- your children will be better off if you stay together and avoid putting them through the trauma of a divorce. So if it seems harsh to leave them for a weekend or two, think of the long-term benefits.

- Family matters that call for you to go to a different town, state or country are another reason. You may not want to take your kids all the way there because of school, or simply because they are too young for the rough trip.

- A babysitter may actually be good for the child’s social skills. As much as you want to pamper or coddle the children, you cannot afford to be selfish. You must allow them to grow up. Part of that is letting them experience separation from you, however temporary. They must learn how to deal with other people as well. If your child is an only child and you do not frequently associate with neighbors, she may suffer from lack of that and may have a little more difficulty adjusting. This makes it doubly essential.

Whether it is a necessity or an option, hiring a babysitter can be a good thing for the entire family.

By: Rashel Dan

About the Author:
It’s easy to find a baby sitter that fits your family’s needs if you know where to start looking. Log on to the best-reviewed baby sitting agencies online and learn how to find a babysitter for your kids.



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How to Find a Reliable Babysitter

Author: admin

Oct 30



As a parent; one of the hardest things you will ever do is leave your children in the care of others. It’s a lot easier if there are family members available who you know and trust, but sometimes finding help from outside your circle is the only option. Here are a few guidelines as to how to find a good babysitter for your kids.

These tips that I have for you will be a great help in finding that special someone to leave in charge of our kids. Take this advice on board and you will find a trustworthy and reliable person who will do a great job.

A good first step is to ask around for personal recommendations. Ask your neighbors, co-workers or friends who they use. Also have a chat with the teachers at school as they will probably have a few ideas.

When you have a shortlist of prospective sitters, ask them over for interviews. The key skills you are looking for are responsibility and maturity.

Be firm but fair at the interviews, ask them for details of their experience and always ask for references, and check them out. Ask if they have done a first aid course or have been on one of the many accredited babysitting courses. Once you have chosen your sitter, make life easy for them by giving full details of what the job entails and a comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers.

Give your babysitter detailed information that lists your children’s bedtime, meal times and general routing. Also be upfront regarding any health issues or allergies. These should be written down and not delivered orally.

A vital aspect that a lot of parents overlook is that your sitter and your kids must like each other. Kids are notorious for not liking people for no reason, then deciding that they love them 5 minutes later, so a trial is recommended first.

You can give several a trial run before you make your final choice. An experienced sitter will expect this and not take offence. It may take a while, but its worth it to find your perfect babysitter.

By: Cynthia Bachman

About the Author:
One of the cutest clothing pieces for kids that I’ve found in my time is the unitard, and a greater discussion about these and other gymnastics accessories takes place at http://unitard.org.



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Be Comfortable With Your Babysitter

Author: admin

Oct 30



Trust and honesty plays a big part when having a babysitter. For the most part, they are sharing in the growth and development of our children. I know for me it would be hard to leave my three little girls with someone I couldn’t depend on. Unfortunately I have had a few babysitters of this nature. Needless-to-say, they have been sent down the road a long time ago.

You might be wondering how to go about being comfortable with a stranger. This adjustment doesn’t happen over night. Just like any friendship, it will take a few meetings. Some you have to work at, while others, you just click. A good thing to do when looking for your babysitter is to have a few interactive meetings with them before you make a decision. The more you see them around your children, the more your parental instinct will help you. I met with a potential babysitter who wouldn’t even look at my girls. She was so worried about making a good impression for my husband and I, that she forgot the big picture, my girls. If a babysitter can’t be comfortable with your children when you are around, they probably won’t be too involved when you are not.

Asking questions is also a good way to get to know your babysitter. If they are serious about their job, they will be willing to answer all the questions that you have concerns about. I make sure to compare their answers with the references that I call. Could reviews are great, but make sure that they are not just friends trying to help out. You want a babysitter that has honest to goodness references that can shed some light into the life of the babysitter you are thinking about bringing into your home.

Through these questions and interactions, you will be able to narrow down your search to just a few babysitters. Always a good time to do those background checks everyone talks about these days. Be honest with the potential sitters that you will be doing these checks. If any of them refuse, you know that you have probably weeded out all of the bad ones. Do the background checks anyway, even if you are narrowed down to one or two. A parent can never be too safe in today’s society. There are a lot of people out there who pretend to be who they are not.

Once you find the one you think to be your perfect babysitter. Keep in communication with them. Make sure that before you leave and after you get home, you take the time to talk with your babysitter. Through talking, you can find out how the children were and see if there are any concerns that the babysitter has. If there is a problem on either end, make sure to try and work it out together. If you let things muster, they can get out of hand and you can lose the babysitter you always wanted.

Our children depend on us to protect them from things that come up in our lives. This includes the babysitters that we choose for them. If we are comfortable and honest with the person we have chosen, our children will see that and follow our example. If something comes up, they will let us know. At least I know my children will. This way, things can be resolved and we can be comfortable with the decisions that we have made.

By: Michelle Buee

About the Author:
There are a lot of things to consider when finding a babysitter. For more helpful tips, go to http://www.squidoo.com/howtofindasitter



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Nanny Techniques For Super Families

Author: admin

Oct 29



If you haven’t seen the British inspired ‘Supernanny’ on ABC then you are missing out on one of the nation’s new favorites in home improvement shows.

This show won’t tell you how to create a floral centerpiece or decorate with zebra stripes, but it IS teaching families to bring order to chaotic homes by setting the stage for new parenting techniques.

Actually, British Nanny, Jo Frost, who is the star of the show is doing anything BUT new parenting. She actually encourages parents to stick to the old time rules of discipline, consistency and creating boundaries. Although there is a noticeable absence of any physical punishment, the firm rules that are put in place work apparent miracles on unruly children while helping parents develop confidence in their parenting skills.

If you haven’t been among the millions of viewers now hooked on watching the Supernanny bring sanity to American homes, then here’s a review of some of her systems:

DISCIPLINE:

It is setting clear boundaries which helps parents and children deal with problem issues – whether it’s eating at the table, back-talking or fighting with siblings.

One of Frost’s main techniques is to create a time-out area – either a rug, bean bag chair or a room with no toys or TV for distraction. To implement the system parents are coached to warn their defiant offspring of the punishment beforehand. If a warning doesn’t work then the child is placed in the time-out area.

Although the time-out has a reasonable time frame depending on the age of the child, some parents will have to place a child who flees the time-out area back into time-out dozens of times for upwards of an hour during the breaking in phase. Once the routine is established the parents, on review, praise the success of the technique and find that often a warning is all that is needed.

BEDTIME:

Bedtime trouble is a serious problem with many families. Frost starts with parents returning the escapee repeatedly until the youngster remains in bed. For tougher cases she has the mother or father sit on the floor next to the child’s bed with their head down. This provides the child with security but removes eye contact or verbal attention. If the child climbs out of bed they are not comforted but are put right back.

ATTENTION:

The ‘Supernanny’ creates a family schedule that includes special time for playing and interacting with the children, as well as allowing parents to spend time together. Frost may be making the most difference by helping parents view themselves as a parenting team, as well as pointing out that having children
should be enjoyable.

If you are curious about more of her techniques or just want to watch families (worse than your own) clean up house – check her out on ABC, Mondays.

By: Sue Holsinger

About the Author:
The author’s website, http://www.mynanny.org, provides and online resource for nannies and nanny information. This article may be used if the resource box and link is left intact.



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How Much Should I Pay My Babysitter?

Author: admin

Oct 29



According to a report by Runzheimer International in 2005, the average babysitter in the United States earns $6.04 per hour. In New York City, the average babysitter earns $11.08 per hour. The rates assume that the babysitter is a teenager and is looking after just 1 child. There are a few additional factors to consider when deciding how much you need to pay the babysitter.

Pay the Babysitter More Than Average:

1. What kind of area do you live in?

If you live in a urban area expect to pay more than if you’re lived in a suburban or rural area.

2. How old is the babysitter?

With age comes maturity, a greater sense of responsibility, and a better sense of what to do in emergencies. Expect to pay an extra $.50/hr for ages 16-18, $1/hr for 18-21, and $2 for 22+.

3. How much experience does the babysitter have?

Add around $.50/hr for every year of experience.

4. How many children need to be babysat?

If the babysitter needs to look after more than 1 child, add $1/hr per kid. The more kids you have, the more work it is for the babysitter and the more you should pay her.

5. Do you expect the babysitter to do chores?

If you want the babysitter to do the dishes, tidy up, or run some errands, add around $2/hr. This is usually a very cost-effective option and worth the additional expense.

6. Did the babysitter come through on short notice?

Consider paying $1/hr more.

7. Are you planning on coming home late (after 11PM)?

If so, add around $2/hr.

By: Michael Gugel

About the Author:
For a free babysitter rate calculator, visit http://www.new-york-babysitters.com/

Runzheimer International Babysitter rate study:
http://www.runzheimer.com/Web/Publications/MR/MR-2006-04-GMS.htm



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Finding a Nanny – Tips on Finding the Ideal Nanny

Author: admin

Oct 29



Finding a nanny can be such an impossible task. Chances are you have spent countless hours scouring and researching ways to find a nanny that meets your expectations, with little success. At some point, you have even likely considered lowering your standards that you set for your nanny, in order to get someone in place for the job.

However, there is no need to lower standards, or settle for someone who may be below average in caring for your children. My goal is to help give you some resources that maybe you have not considered when searching.

First, one of my favourite places to search when finding a nanny is at the local college or community college. Chances are there are several candidates there who are studying early childhood education or teaching degrees, who would make ideal people to be a part time nanny while taking their classes.

But don’t start with the undergraduates in the local school, instead, target graduate level students first. They are much more likely to be serious students, who are more mature and ready for the job. These students are also highly motivated to make some extra money to be able to pay for graduate school, and they will utilize the fresh training they are receiving in school while caring for your child.

You can go about finding someone at the local university, by placing an ad in the school paper or posting a flyer around campus. However, a smarter route is by calling the college directly, and asking them for a recommendation of a student.

Second, you can use an agency that will prescreen candidates and make finding a nanny a breeze. With such a demand for nannies these days, there is an entire industry that has sprouted that prescreens candidates, and only sends you qualified leads, in your area, and to your specifications for you to interview.

Now, there is normally a fee for this service, but it can shave weeks’ worth of time and effort off of your search. In some cases, they do not even charge unless you hire someone. Simply fill out what you are looking for in a nanny (schedule, educational background, pay rate, criminal history etc…) and you will be given a list of candidates to interview.

Finally, you can also use online directories such as Craigslist, to find someone in your area who has nanny experience. These are free to use, and get a high volume of traffic so you are sure to get a ton of replies. The only issue here is you have to sift through the pile, and then try to do background checks on your own.

By: Ella McGinley

About the Author:
Finding a nanny does not have to be a time consuming or frustrating experience. Instead, try using some of these tips to help your search along. You can get more great information on hiring, interviewing, and selecting the right nanny for you by visiting one of my favourite websites: IdealNannyConnect.com.



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Why Good Moms Get Babysitters

Author: admin

Oct 29



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

About the Author:
Beth Howland is a reviewer of parenting products like Sittercity

If you need help finding the right sitter for your family, visit http://www.SittercityReview.com for more information.



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How to Find a Nanny that You Trust

Author: admin

Oct 29



How do you know if your nanny is someone you can trust? Here are five things that every parent should do when hiring a nanny to make sure that they find or have a trustworthy in home babysitter.

1. Do your homework. Finding a direct referral from someone who you know and trust is one of the safest ways to select a trustworthy nanny. Remember, you are depending on a babysitter for the safety of your children. A recommendation from someone you trust is worth a lot.

2. Always insist on a background check and check all references. You need to be able to access the sitter’s capabilities, skills and personality.

3. Interview your Candidates. Don’t just choose the first babysitter who is available. Arrange to interview as many possible babysitters as you can and invite them to your house. This way you can get to know him or her a little bit. If you are happy with the sitter, introduce them to your kids and watch them interact.

4. Use a reputable babysitting service like Sittercity to locate your sitter. They help you weed through candidates, provide references and even run complete background checks for you.

5. Let them know that you are watching. Install a Camera. Certain new technology like SVAT’s Spy Eye Hidden Color Teddy Cam allows you to discretely keep an eye on your children. You can know that your children are safe and make sure your nanny is not being malicious. Some parents even hide several cameras and tell the nanny that they are there…so he or she is always giving the job 100%.

If you follow these suggestions, you should be able to rest easy that you have done all that you can do to find a trustworthy nanny for your kids.

By: Beth Howland

About the Author:
Beth Howland is a reviewer of parenting products like Sittercity. If you need help finding the right sitter for your family, visit http://www.SittercityReview.com for more information.



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