Hiring the Neighborhood Kid – Good or Bad? |
Posted: November 18, 2014 |
We all remember the excitement of getting our first paycheck – often in the form of a few dollars earned for babysitting or mowing a neighbor’s lawn. As a parent, we may wonder what those parents back then were thinking! However, with the rising costs of daycare, a responsible neighborhood kid may be a better option, especially for sporadic and short-term childcare needs. Not only can using a younger babysitter save money, it also gives a responsible kid the opportunity to experience the same feeling you experienced with your first paycheck as well as teaching a new generation good work ethics and responsibility. Find a Babysitter that Fits Your Needs The first step that must be followed when you need to find a babysitter or find a nanny is to consider your needs. Do you need a babysitter for short periods of time – for instance, a sitter for an evening out or a shopping trip? Do you need a full-time nanny that is available all day? Do you need a babysitter who is trained to deal with a child with special needs? If you need a full-time nanny or someone trained to deal with special needs, a younger babysitter would probably not be the ideal fit. However, if you need a babysitter for short periods of time, or all day during times when school is out, a younger babysitter may be the solution you are looking for. Not only can it save money, but often your child has more fun with a younger person who can relate to him or her. Be Sure the Babysitter is Ready for the Responsibility There are several things to consider when you find a babysitter. One of the most important is to determine if the babysitter is ready for the responsibility of caring for your child. Many kids start babysitting at around twelve years old, but not all twelve-year-olds are responsible enough to be left in charge of the care and safety of another human being. Talk to the parents, teachers, and other adults who have contact with the potential babysitter to determine the maturity of the teen. If the teen has not taken a babysitting course, you might suggest this before he/she begins babysitting. The Australian Red Cross offers a course in babysitting that includes basic first aid, care and safety of a child, preparing meals and snack, doing activities with the child, and the babysitter’s safety and responsibility. There may be other courses offered by different organizations, but it is important to be sure that basic first aid (including CPR) is included in the course. Some schools also offer programs of study that include childcare. If the job is going to be long-term, you may even offer to pay for the course yourself to ensure the babysitter has all the necessary skills to properly care for your child. Things to Do Before the First Sitting Now that you have chosen a babysitter, there are a few things you can do to prepare both your child and the babysitter for the first sitting. It is always easier to leave a child with someone he or she knows, so plan a play date ahead of time so that your child can get to know the new babysitter and you can see how the babysitter interacts with your child. If the babysitter will be coming to your home, have the play date at your home so the babysitter can become accustomed to your home. Before or after the play date, be sure to show the babysitter around the home and familiarize him or her with the location of bathrooms, children’s rooms, and the first aid kit. Rules, Expectations, and Discipline The best way to ensure a successful day for the babysitter and your child is to lay out all of the ground rules beforehand. Be sure to discuss any allergies or medications your child will need as well as how the babysitter should discipline the child. Discuss your expectations – such as the use of electronics (computers, cell phone, video games) during the evening. One of the easiest ways to ensure the babysitter clearly understands the rules and expectations is to make a list that can be kept in a handy spot for reference. Though many things come naturally to you as a parent, remember the teenager is not a parent and must be reminded of a few safety precautions – such as keeping doors and windows locked, not opening the door to strangers, and other safety guidelines you follow. The most important aspect of preparing your babysitter is being clear and concise with your instructions. Whether you are looking for babysitters in Sydney or looking for babysitters in Melbourne, if it meets your needs, consider hiring a neighborhood teenager. If the teenager has the proper training and is a good fit with your child, it could be an exciting adventure for your child and the sitter! The best thing about it is that you will be helping to provide a teenager with that feeling of accomplishment that comes with that first paycheck!
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