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Interviewing babysitters
So, I had a bit of a meltdown on Thursday. I worked Wednesday night and Zoe would not gown down for a nap on Thursday morning/noonish. She was so tired but just wasn't having any of it. I tried for almost 2 hours to get her to sleep. She was crying, I was crying. I called my H in tears. Needless to say, that was the breaking point for me. I figured it would happen around her first birthday, and I was right.
Some people recommended sittercity.com to me. I have found a couple of potential sitters. A bunch of them even go to UT, which is where H and I went to school, and a couple of them are even in the nursing program there so I know the state has conducted background checks on them. It seems like a great way to find a sitter and I am actually excited about it, but terrified at the same time. I am so paranoid.
I have baby sat many kids. Strangers have left me alone with their precious kids. I know I'm a good person and would never hurt them/steal them/let anything happen to them. We always played and had a great time. But.....how do I know the person I've chosen isn't a complete psycho? I know I will go with my gut, but what if my gut is wrong?
Re: Interviewing babysitters
Write down all of your questions in advance and take your time interviewing them. It also helps if you can have them come over for a trial basis to try them out. If you like someone during the interview, ask them to come babysit for a few hours while you do housework. You could even go run and errand or two but make it casual so that you can come and go and see if it seems like they are fully engaged with her when you return.
Try to not to stress! It had to happen sooner or later and I am confident that you'll find someone great!
I agree with COP. Also, I would ask for references and proof of CPR certification. Do you have any friends who have used sitters already? If so, see who they may recommend.
Have you asked friends and family for recommendation? It's always nice to hire someone have already hired before.
Add't Info: A coworker of mine is a babysitter and she would get hired thru Care.com she said its also a helpful site with articles on how to interview for a babysitter.
Married Bio
There is one neighbor that I would trust and she is retiring this year or next year, so I'm hoping to ask her once she is settled in her retirement. We aren't super close with any of our neighbors, but she is definitely the one we know best.
My friend in south florida just hired a nanny through care.com and she felt very good about that site.
Also, a lot of local high schools have childcare programs now. The one I teach at has a childcare program and a bunch of the students just got certified in various childcare areas. Might be something you want to look into.