The Crib: A Blog for New Parents

Posted by pecuellar on 07/28/08 - 04:02 AM

Finally you are ready to hit the town for an all adult endeavor. You know an uninterrupted meal (with actual hot food) and maybe a movie that is not animated. However, placing your little one into the sitter’s hands is not always easy. Here are a couple of tips to help the process.

• Don’t deny your gut feeling. If you have an uneasy feeling about a prospective sitter, even if you can't pinpoint what you don't like about him or her, go with your instinct. Don’t take any unnecessary chances.

• Ask for references and follow up on them. If anything looks out of the ordinary or unusual to you, pass on that sitter.

• Don’t forget to interview even if you have known the person a while. You need to know how they will handle specific situations concerning your child. Also, ask what they would do in an emergency.

• If this will be a long term relationship be sure to consider the sitter’s personal parenting style and how it will fit with yours. Are they more lenient or strict than you and are they willing to follow your rules regarding your child even if they don’t agree completely.

• Start on a trial basis. Not all caregivers are a great fit for all children at first. Sometimes for irrational, unforeseen reasons. One of my children was terrified of larger women and would cower when they came near.

Don’t give up. If the first sitter doesn’t work out it does not mean something is wrong with either child or sitter. Keep trying and you will likely find someone that your child will love to spend time with. This factor alone will make leaving them much easier on you.