You cut your own tree this year and the stockings are already hung by the chimney with care — what’s next on your holiday list? Booking a babysitter for your many, many, many holiday parties. Don’t fret! Start with these 5 Helpful Hints for Securing a Babysitter This Holiday Season:
1. Don’t procrastinate. Book early…or right now! December is a busy month for parents and sitters alike, so send your requests now and make it clear that these dates are important to you and that’s why you’re asking so early.
2. Pay a little extra. Increase your sitter’s hourly rate by a dollar or two to entice her/him to agree to those busy weekend dates. And, try booking multiple dates with the same sitter, so she/he feels assured you’re providing a steady December paycheck.
3. Go for the Early Bird. College-aged sitters love booking early jobs, because that means they can hit the town afterward with their friends. Why not start your Saturday night date at 4 or 5 pm, so you’ll be home by 9 pm?
4. Opt for a weekday. If you have the luxury of choosing the day of the week of your event, opt for a weekday or Sunday. There is far less competition for sitters on the “off” nights, so you’ll have your pick!
5. Stay at home (well not exactly). Picture hosting a fabulous holiday party at your home. Get a sitter to watch the kids and keep them occupied while you entertain. You don’t have to hire the most experienced (read: expensive) sitter for this, since you’ll be there in case of an emergency. Always remember to explain your plan to the sitter when you book them, so there are no big surprises.
UrbanSitter has all your holiday sitter needs covered. Book early and you’ll have one less “to do” on your list!
Finding the right nanny involves evaluating their skills, experience, values, and parenting philosophy through a comprehensive interview. We’ll walk you through a list of the best nanny interview questions for parents to ask candidates.
Why Conduct a Nanny Interview?
Let’s pause and understand the importance of conducting a nanny interview. Your child’s caregiver will have a significant impact, so it’s vital to assess skills, experience, and personality traits that align with your family.
Preparing your Nanny Interview Questions
Before the interview, prepare by reviewing the nanny’s resume, references, and certifications. Consider your family’s needs and values to tailor your questions.
A Complete Guide to Nanny Interview Questions
Step 1: Get to Know the Candidate
The first set of questions aims to get to know the candidate better, allowing you to gauge their experience, preferences, and overall suitability for the role.
These questions will help you understand the candidate’s level of experience, their comfort with different age groups, and whether they have any relevant skills or knowledge outside of childcare. It’s important to listen not only to their answers but also to the level of enthusiasm and passion they display when discussing their experiences.
Basic questions to ask:
How long have you been caring for children?
What age groups have you cared for?
What is your favorite age to care for, and why?
Have you had any previous work or life experiences that have helped you in your role as a nanny?
Step 2: Assess Training, Education, and Background
Next, ensure that the nanny has received proper training and education, which is crucial for your child’s safety and development.
These questions will help you verify the candidate’s knowledge of essential emergency procedures and their commitment to ongoing professional development. Fluency in other languages can also be a valuable asset, especially if you want your child to be exposed to different cultures or if you have a multilingual household.
Are you trained in CPR and first aid?
Have you taken any child care courses or certifications? Are you open to further training if necessary?
What is your education level?
Are you fluent in any languages other than English?
Understanding a candidate’s work history and their experiences as a nanny is essential for assessing their compatibility with your family.
Asking about their past experiences will provide insight into their ability to handle various situations and their overall approach to childcare. Pay attention to their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and communication style when listening to their responses.
What was your most recent nanny position? If there was a gap, what did you do during that time?
Can you describe your typical daily routine with your previous family?
What were the best and worst aspects of your previous job?
Have you encountered any negative work situations in the past? If so, what did you learn from them?
How have you handled difficult situations, such as a crying baby or a child talking back?
Have you ever experienced a childcare emergency? If so, how did you handle it?
Step 4: Assess Compatibility with Your Family’s Needs
It’s important to ensure that a potential nanny aligns with your family’s unique requirements and circumstances. These questions will help you determine whether the candidate has the necessary experience and flexibility to meet your child’s specific needs. It’s important to communicate openly about any unique requirements your family may have, such as dietary restrictions, cultural practices, or medical conditions.
What is your experience with children who have specific needs or conditions, such as allergies or special educational requirements?
Have you ever worked with a family for an extended period? What was your experience like?
Are you looking for a long-term position, or do you have a specific timeframe in mind for your next role?
Understanding a nanny’s childcare style and approach is crucial to ensure a good fit for your family.
These questions will give you insight into the candidate’s values, approach to discipline, and ability to handle challenging situations. Look for answers that align with your own parenting philosophy and demonstrate empathy, patience, and problem-solving skills.
What do you enjoy most about being a nanny?
What do you find most challenging?
How do you handle difficult situations, such as a child’s tantrums or disagreements with parents?
How do you approach discipline? What is the nanny’s role in disciplining a child?
It’s essential to be aware of questions that are legally prohibited or may invade the candidate’s privacy. Avoid asking about the following topics during the interview:
Apart from asking specific questions, there are a few other factors to consider when evaluating a potential nanny:
Interaction with your child: Observe how the candidate interacts with your child during the interview or a playdate. Look for signs of warmth, attentiveness, and engagement.
Communication skills: Assess the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively, both with you and your child. Clear and open communication is vital to ensure a successful working relationship.
Reliability and punctuality: Consider the candidate’s reliability and punctuality during the interview process. Being on time and demonstrating a strong work ethic are important qualities for a nanny.
Trust your instincts: Ultimately, trust your instincts and intuition when evaluating a potential nanny. If something feels off or doesn’t align with your family’s values, it may be a sign to explore other candidates.
Preparing a thorough list of nanny interview questions is crucial to finding the perfect caregiver for your child. By asking the right questions and carefully considering the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and compatibility, you can make an informed decision. Remember to create a comfortable and open environment during the interview to encourage honest and meaningful conversations.
At UrbanSitter, we understand that interviewing and hiring a nanny can be a daunting process. With our extensive trusted caregiver network, you’ll be able to find the best fit for your family in no time! Sign up today and start looking for your ideal nanny.
All babies drool, but saliva on skin can cause a drooling rash near the mouth. From symptoms to treatment, here’s what to know about drool rash.
What is Drool Rash?
Drool rash, also known as drooling rash or newborn rash, is a type of contact dermatitis caused by excessive drool settling on the skin and irritating babies’ sensitive skin.
Babies develop their salivary glands around 2 to 3 months, which is when drool rash can begin, and they typically stop drooling when they’re around 15 to 18 months old. However, drool rash is most common when babies are teething. Babies drool the most while teething because they have new teeth cutting through their gums.
Additionally, pacifiers and teething rings can increase the risk of drool rash since they cause contact between saliva and the skin.
Drool rash often looks like a bumpy red rash, often around babies’ mouths, chins, and necks. This image via Medical News Today shows what drool rash around the mouth may look like. If the rash appears more severe, including oozing or blistering, you should contact your child’s doctor for treatment.
How Do You Treat Drool Rash?
Drooling is a natural part of growing up, so how can you prevent your baby from developing a drooling rash or help an existing rash clear up? The easiest way to treat it is to prevent further contact between saliva and the skin as much as possible. Putting your baby in an absorbent bib and changing it when needed, as well as wiping excess saliva from their mouths, is the most effective way to reduce saliva’s contact with the skin.
To help the rash heal faster, you can gently clean the irritated area with warm water and a washcloth twice a day, making sure to pat the skin gently rather than rubbing the rash. After cleaning, you can apply a barrier cream or ointment such as petroleum jelly to help the rash heal faster. Avoid applying lotions or products with fragrance, and ask your child’s doctor if you aren’t sure whether a product is safe for your baby’s sensitive skin.
Is Drool Rash Contagious?
It isn’t contagious, and it also isn’t connected with any underlying medical conditions.
Does It Hurt?
It may be uncomfortable and itchy for your baby, but it isn’t a serious medical issue.
Should I Contact a Doctor About Drool Rash?
While drool rash on its own is harmless, you should contact a medical professional if your baby shows more severe symptoms like these:
The rash lasts for more than a few days and isn’t responding to treatment.
The rash is cracking, oozing or blistering, which could indicate the rash is infected.
Your baby seems very uncomfortable with the rash.
Your baby has a fever.
A doctor will be able to prescribe a treatment like an over-the-counter cream that should clear up your baby’s drooling rash in no time.
In Short, What Should I Know About Drool Rash?
Drool rash is a bumpy red rash around babies’ mouths caused by saliva touching and irritating their skin, often when they’re teething. There are three easy ways to treat it. First, you can prevent saliva from touching the skin with an absorbent bib. Second, you can gently clean the area with warm water and a washcloth. Third, you can apply a barrier cream like petroleum jelly to the rash. It isn’t contagious or overly painful, but if your baby has more severe symptoms, you should contact their doctor for treatment.
Related: Tips for Helping Your Teething Tot
How We Wrote This Article
We wrote this article using trusted medical sources, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Mount Sinai. The advice in this article should not replace expert medical consultation, and you should contact medical professionals for official diagnoses and treatments.
Whether you’re taking a road trip or facing a long flight together, the thought of traveling with an infant can be daunting, especially for first-timers. But, the trip doesn’t have to be a hairy one.
In fact, infants often make for much better travel companions than their squirmy, mobile, older siblings! Consider these tips from the experts for smooth, stress-free travel with your baby this summer.
Tips for Traveling with Infants
Travel Light. We think babies require a lot of stuff, but whittle down your daily baby care items to the bare essentials, and you’ll be surprised at how little a baby really needs. Unless you’re headed to a remote location, you can lighten the load significantly by renting the big, must-have items and have them waiting for you when you arrive. Rental companies such as Babyquip, Rents 4 Baby and Travelingbaby.com will deliver to your destination, so no need to lug a crib or pack-n-play, jogging stroller, high chair, bicycle baby carrier, swing or baby gates. Verywell has a list of the best baby rental equipment.
They’ll also deliver car seats. Another option is to reserve one through your rental car carrier. Just be sure to request one in advance, making sure it’s the appropriate size, since supplies seem to be limited.
Another helpful hint for keeping the packing to a minimum – purchase diapers, formula and extra baby wipes when you arrive, rather than carrying a large supply with you.
Think ahead and be prepared. Ever try to carry a baby through a busy airport, thinking it was easier to check the stroller at baggage claim? Ever try to hold an infant while using a public restroom? Not fun. Make it easier on yourself by becoming one with your stroller while traveling. Not only will it save you from having to carry your precious cargo, it will also provide a place to change a diaper or let a tired little one get some rest. Along with the stroller, be sure you have an especially well-packed diaper bag, carry-on or tote. A diaper bag packed for an infant should include:
at least two changes of simple, low-fuss clothes and socks (blow-outs happen when you least expect them!)
diapers and plenty of baby wipes
a bottle and formula if you are bottle-feeding, a pacifier (especially helpful to combat air-pressure changes while flying)
hand sanitizer
light blanket to warm a chilly baby, serve as a nursing shield or provide a place to lie your baby down for a stretch.
any necessary medications, sunscreen, and diaper rash cream.
Consider applying for TSA PreCheck
To make traveling through the airport even easier, you might want to apply for TSA PreCheck. Children under 12 can go through TSA PreCheck with an adult who has it. With TSA Pre, your family won’t need to remove shoes, belts, toiletries, personal electronics such as an iPad or laptop or jackets, plus the line moves much more quickly. Keep in mind there is a cost to applying, however many credit cards will reimburse you.
Keep to a schedule. Most parents agree with the experts who tell us that babies who stick to a schedule or routine are often the most content.
While it’s not always possible to follow the exact routine you have at home, you can typically feed, change and put your baby to sleep with some consistency. You and your baby will have a happier trip if she’s not skipping naps or missing bottles or snacks.
Incorporate time for yourself and time with your spouse or partner. No matter how well you plan and prepare, travel with a baby can be stressful and tiring. Give yourself a break by making time to take care of yourself and your adult relationships. Let Dad do solo duty for a bit while you splurge on a spa treatment, take a nap or simply lounge by the pool with a good book.
You can both get a break and a chance to see the sights by taking advantage of a local babysitter. Hotels can often recommend local babysitters, though it’s typically less expensive and more convenient to find and book a trustworthy babysitter on UrbanSitter. You’ll have greater peace of mind leaving your child in a new sitter’s care after reading her profile and other parents’ reviews on the site.
Before long, your tiny travel companion will become an energetic toddler in tow! Check out these tips for happy traveling with tots and little kids.
Looking for a babysitter or nanny while on vacation? Join UrbanSitter to find sitters at your vacation destination.
Countdown to the New Year! Certainly, after the last couple of years, parents are ready to celebrate the new year in a big way! Or just get together with a few friends to toast to a wonderful new year. If you’re going out, what’s that going to cost you? What are the New Year’s Eve babysitting rates this year? Do sitters expect a NYE babysitting tip too?
We asked hundreds of sitters across the United States to see if they plan to work on New Year’s Eve, if they’ve already booked a job, what their New Year’s Eve sitter rate will be, do they expect NYE perks and more…
The Highlights of New Year’s Eve Babysitting Rates
The majority of sitters, 76%, either have a job or are hoping to book at NYE babysitting job.
Sitters plan to ask for a premium this year, with 80% charging 1.5 to more than 2x their normal hourlybabysitting rate. In addition, 57% expect a NYE babysitting tip on top of their hourly rate – making going out on NYE a pricey occasion.
24% of New Year’s Eve babysitters do expect transportation to/from the babysitting job, whereas the majority, 76%, do not.
Dinner is split about evenly, with 45% expecting dinner and 55% not expecting it.
Covid’s Impact on NYE Babysitting
When asked if the sitter would work for a family that doesn’t plan to get vaccinated, 42% said they would not work with an unvaccinated family, whereas 37% yes they would, and 21% were on the fence.
Key Reasons a Sitter would not Decline a New Year’s Eve Babysitting Job
More money, higher hourly wage, tips
Working for a family they enjoy
Close to home
Feeling appreciated for giving up their New Year’s Eve so the parents can go out
Being valued
Extra incentives, such as transportation, extra pay and dinner
No extra perks needed – they simply love being a babysitter, regardless of it being a holiday
UrbanSitter Guides to New Year’s Eve Babystting Rates – Past Editions
Take a poll of the parents you know, and you’ll realize that babysitter job descriptions vary greatly (child care responsibilities, chores for sitter, driving duties, etc.) just as much as compensation varies from family to family. One friend might expect to come home to a clean house with toys put away and the laundry done. Another friend may be horrified at the thought of their babysitter folding their clothing. Neither approach is wrong. With any manager-report relationship, it’s important to have an idea of what’s on your babysitter job description to set clear expectations of the responsibilities and chores for your sitter up-front.
Know your priorities.
The main task of any caregiver is to supervise your children and keep them safe. While there’s no set protocol for caregivers to follow, you can expect a babysitter to follow your directions. The “normal” responsibilities of child care include making meals, changing diapers, diffusing arguments between siblings, engaging with children in conversation, entertaining them with games and crafts, putting them to bed, and so on.
You can always ask your sitter if they are willing to do extra chores if there is time. Do keep in mind that chores aren’t in the standard babysitter job description. Asking a sitter to do extra should go hand-in-hand with extra compensation, or at the very least, abundant verbal appreciation.
Identify what you want and keep it reasonable.
Have you gone through your chore list and identified the tasks that are babysitter-appropriate? Do you dislike feeding the fish or dusting the bookshelves? These small tasks are the perfect type of tasks for a babysitter to take on. Expecting a babysitter to grocery shop with the kids in tow might be unrealistic depending on their experience. However, asking a sitter to scrub your bathrooms is taking advantage of them (unless you’re paying extra and the sitter seems open to it). Having the sitter take the garbage and recycling out after the kids are asleep might cross a simple to-do off your list while asking minimal effort on the sitter’s end. If you expect your sitter to do larger chores, for example washing a week’s worth of dishes you’ve left in the sink — be sure to compensate the sitter.
While there are no strict rules on tidying up — although most sitters do, as a matter of common courtesy — it’s not unfair to expect that your sitter will clean up any messes made while on the clock or that involve the kids. Let’s face it, some parts of childcare are messy! Meal preparation, giving baths, playing with toys, feeding young children, even potty training can leave behind a small trail of destruction. It would be nice if you came home to a house that was at least as clean as when you left it.
If a sitter continually leaves your home looking like a tornado passed through, it’s time to have a discussion. You can approach it by saying, “We’re really trying to get the kids to be more conscious about their messes. Before bedtime, will you make sure everyone is involved in putting away toys, clearing the table, and so on?” If your family has a clean-up game or song that gets everyone motivated, share it with your sitter.
Assess your sitter’s abilities.
If you have a young, inexperienced babysitter watching the kids while you run a few quick errands, it may be all the sitter can handle to keep the kids entertained and out of harm’s way. Don’t hand her extra tasks that could take away time from her main objective. If you’ll be gone several hours and have a caregiver who’s comfortable with your kids and your routines, the caregiver is most likely able to juggle vacuuming or folding laundry at the same time.
Does your sitter have any special qualifications that would help her better tackle your extra requests? If you have a sitter who knows nothing about foreign languages, you probably shouldn’t task the sitter with overseeing your child’s French homework. Now, if your sitter lifeguards during the summer, asking the sitter to take the kids swimming at the neighborhood pool might be the perfect request!
It’s also reasonable to ask a capable sitter to make sure the children carry out their chores. If it’s your daughter’s job to set the table or your son’s job to walk the dog, let the babysitter know. Give your sitter the authority and tools to see that they’re done. Make it clear to the kids that the babysitter is in charge. And that there will be consequences if they don’t take care of their responsibilities.
Communicate expectations clearly.
Many sitter chores fall into a gray area that you may consider inclusive of childcare. However, they may not be on the radar screen of your sitter. Before you hire a sitter be sure to discuss any duties outside of “hanging out at the house”. Some of these babysitter responsibilities may include:
Taking/driving the children to and from activities such as music lessons, karate, dance, etc.
Changing diapers and helping with potty training
Supervising play dates with other children
Helping with homework
Meal (or bottle) preparation and feeding
Following the bedtime routine (changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, reading books, etc.)
Making sure the children do their chores (such as picking up their toys)
If any of these activities are in your babysitter job description, let them know before you offer the position. This way the sitter has a clear set of expectations and can decide if the babysitting job is the right fit.
As you consider the glorious possibility of never taking out the garbage or coming home to a dirty playroom again, remember, clear communication of everyone’s responsibilities will keep you and your babysitter on the same page.
Looking for a sitter? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.
What is an au pair? An au pair is a student between the ages of 18-26 who comes to the United States as part of a cultural exchange program and agrees to provide full-time child care in exchange for housing and a weekly stipend. For some families who need live-in child care, hosting an au pair may be an ideal solution. Below are some of the benefits and limitations so you can decide if this is the right in-home childcare choice for you and your family.
The Unique Advantages of Au Pairs
There are several pros to choosing an au pair for your childcare needs, including the following:
Au Pairs Provide Affordable Care Because au pair programs are government-sponsored, costs are regulated. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, au pairs are paid a weekly stipend equivalent to the U.S. federal minimum wage. The stipend is based per family, so you do not pay more for additional kids. Keep in mind there are some upfront costs you will incur. These costs include the agency application fees and the placement fees (which cover recruiting, screening, paperwork processing, some travel expenses, visa, and training). Once they arrive, there are additional expenses outside of the weekly stipend. These costs include providing room and board, meals, paid vacation time, and a $500 educational stipend. Even with these additional fees, au pair care is much more affordable than live-in or live-out nannies or babysitters.
Flexible Hours, In-home Child Care For those who work long or irregular hours or need an extra set of hands, flexible child care is a top priority. Few providers can match the flexibility offered by au pairs. According to ICEF Monitor, a market research firm for the international education market, au pairs in the U.S. can work up to 45 hours per week. While they may not work more than 10 hours per day, as a host family, you can coordinate your own childcare schedule week to week.
Exposure to a New Culture Inviting a foreign student to live with your family is a wonderful way to introduce your children to a new culture or language. One example is that, according to AuPair Clearinghouse, which reviews and compares United States au pair agencies, there’s a growing trend to hire Chinese caretakers. They attribute the trend to the increasing popularity of Mandarin as a language option in secondary schools. As well as the appeal of having a Mandarin speaker in your home to help your kids learn the language.
Au Pair Limitations
While there are many attractive advantages to having an au pair care for your kids, there are limitations, too, including:
Limited Child Care Experience Au pairs are students (18-26 years old) who travel to the U.S. for educational and cultural experiences. Though they are required to complete some childcare instruction, their training and experience is limited. Simply put, they are not professional childcare providers, nor are they necessarily interested in pursuing a career in child care. For this reason, they are often better for families who do not require infant or special needs care.
Short-Term Child Care Solution Per their contracts and visa requirements, they usually live with a host parent for one year (though you can apply for a program extension through the U.S. Department of State). If you need someone longer term—and don’t relish the thought of finding a new solution in a year—a live-in nanny may be a better fit.
Inability to Meet in Advance They are carefully screened, and you can interview candidates via phone, email, and video chat. Still, you cannot truly meet face-to-face or have a trial period before committing to a relationship.
Language and Cultural Barriers In addition to the limitations above, they are students learning a new culture and often a new language as they get to know your family and understand its unique needs. It can be a tricky adjustment period for both sides.
What is the Difference Between an Au Pair and a Nanny?
One of the most important distinctions between an au pair and a live-in nanny is that an au pair is a student you host, and a nanny is an employee you hire.
For a deeper dive into the differences, read our article, How to Choose Between a Nanny, Daycare, and Au Pair. If you decide to host an au pair, there are several agencies approved by the U.S. Department of State that can connect you. If you decide a nanny is the better fit and childcare experience, word of mouth, job boards, and online services, such as UrbanSitter, can help you find and meet nannies in your local area who may be just right for your family’s needs. The choice is yours!
Looking for a nanny? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.
Leaving your children in the care of a stranger is understandably nerve-racking. In addition to being concerned about your children’s welfare, you may feel stressed about how well the personalities of your children and your babysitter will pair. As you prepare to find a babysitter to rely on regularly, utilize these strategic tips.
Identify Your Service Needs
Before you schedule interviews for a new babysitter, you need to prepare a job description that perfectly outlines your expectations. If this will be a recurring job, you should specify work hours. You also need to outline how many children will be cared for, how many meals and snacks need to be prepared if children need to be taken to school or extracurricular activities and more. Some people look for a nanny who will also complete light household chores. Understand that the rate that you offer should increase as you add more requirements or expectations to the job description.
Use a Screening Service
You could post an online classified ad to spread the word about your job description, but this creates a profound need to carefully screen each candidate. To do so, you will need to conduct a thorough background check, review references, and complete other essential steps. If you are looking for an easier way to identify trustworthy, qualified individuals, it makes sense to use a service provider that will connect you with several vetted professionals.
Conduct In-Home Interviews
When you have a few vetted professionals in mind, you can conduct in-person interviews. While some professionals may look great on paper, they may not seem as impressive in person for various reasons. These interviews may be conducted in your home so that your children can meet each person. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to view the interaction between the babysitter and your children. Part of your interview process may include observation of them playing and communicating.
Schedule a Few Short Sessions
You understandably want to commit to a specific individual, but you should not commit prematurely. Personality conflicts and other issues may arise when you leave your children in the person’s care for a lengthy period of time. Head out of the house for an hour or two for the first few sessions. After each session, speak with the babysitter and your children individually to get feedback. Some issues that you become aware of may easily be addressed, but others may be deal-breakers.
As you prepare to find a babysitter, you should have an open mind as well as a firm set of standards. Utilize babysitter or nanny services to streamline the process.
Finding a trustworthy, dependable and caring babysitter can be a true challenge. After all, your friends and neighbors may also be vying for the same individuals’ limited free time, and you may struggle to book the right babysitter for the day and time needed. When you learn how to book a babysitter through an app on your smartphone, you may never use another method again.
Find the Right App
If you are like most other parents, your smartphone is loaded with tons of apps that help you to manage various aspects of your busy life. However, you may not yet have a babysitting app. Hiring a babysitter understandably should be done with care, and the reality is that you may find a well-qualified babysitter more easily when you take advantage of modern technology. With a babysitter app, you can find detailed and strict vetting processes that exceed the efforts that you may take on your own. Before selecting a specific app to use, carefully research standards and requirements that each one uses. Read numerous reviews, and consider asking friends and neighbors for recommendations.
Following the Booking Instructions
Once you have located an app that you are interested in testing out, spend time learning about its features and capabilities. The best apps have babysitter bios and enable you to connect with the babysitters through the app conveniently. Spend ample time exploring the caregivers available to you through the app so that you can find a babysitter that may be most well-suited for your children. Your children’s ages, interests, and special needs should be taken into consideration as you locate a few preferred caregivers to reach out to.
Test the Service with a Short Outing
When using a new babysitter scheduling service and when leaving your children along with a new individual, it makes sense to ease into the experience. Book a short job with a babysitter, such as for an hour while you run to the grocery store and are close to home. Learn how the app works, and focus on how well the babysitter performed as well. You may progressively spend longer periods of time farther from home as your comfort level increases.
Multiple babysitter apps are available for you to explore, and their features and capabilities differ dramatically. Because of the quality of the apps as well as the steps that each one takes to vet its caregivers differ, special attention should be given to your upfront research before you walk through the remaining steps.
Even the best babysitters in your area may be at a loss for finding fun activities to do with your children. Your preferred babysitter may spend many long hours with your children in the months and years to come, and this is the time that should be fun and stimulating for them. If you want to encourage your babysitter to limit screen time and to engage your children while you are gone, suggest some of these thoughtful ideas.
Make Cookies
If your babysitter has basic baking skills, making cookies is a fun and delicious way to spend time. Frosted cut-out cookies take much more time to make than chocolate chip cookies, and they allow for more interaction with children. This is only one of many types of foods that children can participate in making. For example, they can make ice cream sundaes, cut-out shapes for their lunchtime sandwiches, a fruit salad with cutting help from the babysitter and more.
Build a Blanket Fort
Before you leave, pull out several blankets and sheets that can be used for the walls and ceiling of a living room or bedroom fort. The act of creating the fort can keep the kids and the babysitter busy for a while. Once the fort is created, they can play together, read books or even tell their own made-up stories in their shelter.
Create Works of Art
Many children love to draw, paint and work with clay. Other ideas include working on sand projects, making slime, creating snowflakes and more. Set aside several types of art supplies before leaving the house. The kids and babysitter can use the supplies in their own creative ways to produce beautiful or unique works of art.
Dance to Children’s Songs
If your children love music, another excellent idea is to recommend a dance party. You can compile a mix of songs that your kids enjoy, or you can suggest that your babysitter stream music from an app on his or her smartphone. This is a fun way to get your children moving regardless of outdoor weather conditions.
Play Board Games
Many kids love to play games with their parents, but you may not pull the games out as frequently as they may like. Set out a stack of your children’s favorite board games and card games. Regardless of your children’s ages, board games provide interactive fun that can extend potentially for several hours.
Work on Puzzles
An alternative to board games is puzzles. Simple puzzles are ideal for young children, and there are numerous puzzles that are increasingly challenging for older children. Determine your children’s skill level, attention span, and interests when picking out a puzzle.
You may go to great lengths to find the best babysitters in your area, but even these skilled, qualified professionals may not know what your children like to do or what activities are available in your home. Suggest or plan for some of these excellent activities so that your children truly enjoy spending time with their babysitter.
