Galway Advertiser 2008/GA_2008_01_03/GA_0301_E1_020.pdf 

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Galway Advertiser

January 3 2008

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY
Having a social life is one of your New Year resolutions. You keep saying you will get out more to meet friends, enjoy quality time with your partner or attend a favourite show yet you never seem to find the time. This year will be different you vow. Now you have chosen the event and what you are going to wear. However one issue remains unresolved. Who will take care of your children? You toy with the idea of calling on your mother or next door neighbour. Or maybe you are not that lucky because you have moved into a new area where you do not know anyone. So, how do you track down a reliable babysitter and what qualities should you look for in a potential candidate to ensure your children are in safe hands? If you have close friends or relatives who have offered to babysit on a regular basis, count yourself lucky. But remember they will not always be available and you may have to call on others at some stage. If you do not know anyone in your area who babysits, try asking around. Find out from friends or neighbours who they get to babysit

O'CONNOR
their children. Give the sitter a call and arrange to meet. You could advertise for a babysitter, also. Put a notice in your local shop window or newspaper. Most teenagers are keen to earn money, older people with time on their hands may be interested in making a few extra euro, too. Be wary of someone who is very young as she may not be able to handle a crisis should one arise. Child care organisations advise against getting children under 16 years to act as babysitters.

Choosing a babysitter

Personal recommendation
Choose the sitter on personal recommendations from someone who trust such as a neighbour or friend. Follow your instinct, too. Be sure to ask about potential babysitters' experience. This is especially important if your child is a baby. Are they experienced changing nappies, feeding and will they be able to recognise if the infant is unwell? If your children or toddlers are older find out what the babysitter plans to do when you are out. The children may not be in bed so will s/he read to them, play or sit watching television with them? Will she be able to calm them if they wake up after a bad dream? Find out what she considers unacceptable behaviour and how she intends to discipline them if they behave? You and your babysitter may have conflicting view on this issue and it is advisable to find this out early. If you are dealing with a young sitter, make sure the person knows what to do in an emergency, such as a fire or the child becoming ill. Ideally the person you choose should be used to children and be able to cope with a crisis. If you are meeting her in your home observe how your children react to her. Be sure to ask for references before you make your final decision. Discuss fees, including overnight ones. Hourly rates vary around the country so ask around to see what others pay. It is wise to draw up some ground rules from the start, especially if your sitter is fairly young. Is she allowed bring friends round or use your telephone? What food is available? Should she answer the door or telephone? Will you leave her home afterwards? Will you pay her extra if you are home late? The first time you get her to babysit get her to drop over an hour earlier. This will give her time to settle in with the children and allow you to show her round so she know where everything is kept. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:-

On the night
* Go though your usual evening schedule with the babysitter. This should include the child's pre-bed routine, such as a hot drink, bedtime story, what pyjamas and favourite toy or blanket s/he has (be sure to mention what she refers to it as. Knowing this will save the sitter a lot of angst at 2am when she wakes screaming for baa baa or boo, boo.) * Explain the house rules such as how much television is allowed, what programmes you consider unsuitable, what time the children go to bed and what they eat for supper. Also, go over their toilet routines * If you have a baby have food and a drink prepared for him/her. Show the babysitter where the nappies, baby wipes and barrier cream are kept. Tell her if the children sleep with the light on or off * If you have a fire extinguisher explain how it works. Leave your doctor's telephone number as well as your contact details and those of a trusted neighbour or friend * Be sure to tell the children you are going out, especially if they will not meet the babysitter before going to bed. Don't try to sneak out without telling them because they might wake up very upset. * Show the sitter where the tea, soft drinks and biscuits are kept. * If your child has an allergy or medical condition be sure to mention this. * Explain what to do in the case of an emergency. Ask her how would she cope with a fire or if the child becomes ill or has a bad fall? * What does she consider to be "bold" behaviour and how would she respond to it? She may feel slapping a child is reasonable or turning off their night light is an adequate punishment. How would you feel about that? * It is a good idea to write the relevant information on a sheet together with the children's bedtime routines. This will save time and ensure the babysitter has all the necessary details at her fingertips * Outline whether or not you want her to answer the telephone or door in your absence * Say what time you will be home and explain you will telephone if you are delayed * If your children appear to dislike the sitter consider finding someone else