Social Media Guidelines to Share with Your Sitter or Nanny

Sharing house rules and policies with your sitter or nanny is key to communicating and understanding each other’s expectations. Social media policies – essentially what you think is and isn’t ok for your sitter to post or share about your family on social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – should be an important component of the discussion about what’s expected of her time with your family.

via futurestreet
via futurestreet

Posting updates and sharing photos via social media has become a common, acceptable way of communicating. It’s likely your sitter or nanny uses at least one form of social media, and may be unaware that posting photos or mentions of her time with your kids may not be something your are comfortable with her sharing with the world. A candid discussion regarding the following guidelines, which you can tailor to suit what works for you and your preferences, should also include what you are ok with her sharing.

Social Media Guidelines for Your Babysitter or Nanny

  1. Review privacy settings together. Settings on social media outlets can be changed so that location is not posted when your sitter updates or communicates. You should also ask her to change privacy options so that only her friends and followers can view content, rather than the world at large.
  1. Know Our Photo Policy. Advise your sitter of your preference regarding posting photos of your children. Would you rather her not post any photos of them, or are you comfortable with her posting appropriate photos without using tags?
  1. Respect Our Family’s Privacy. Ask your sitter not to use your family’s full names or give details that could identify you. This includes using location information, such as your street name, the name of your child’s school or the Little Gym branch she attends with your child.
  1. Be Mindful of Focusing on the Kids. Gently remind your sitter that while it’s very tempting to send updates and often necessary for her to communicate with friends and family, it’s important that she be selective about the time she spends on her phone. Time on the phone takes her focus away from the kids. Suggest boundaries that work for you, whether it be that she only use her phone in an emergency or that she limits the use to your child’s nap time or quiet time. Explain that you’d like your kids to view the time they spend with her as special and something they look forward to enjoying.

Sharing these important social media guidelines with your sitter or nanny is part of providing her with the tools she needs to succeed and best care for your kids. If you feel that she’s spending more time than she should be on her phone or engaging with social media while she should be watching your kids, be sure to voice your concerns and reinforce how important the rules are to you. Most sitters would never intentionally put your family in danger, and are more than understanding of the importance of protecting your family and its privacy.

Five Reasons to Hire a New Babysitter

finding_a_babysitterAs we head into the final days of summer, why not shake up your routine by substituting your regular babysitter with someone new? You might not be so keen on rocking the boat, but it’s smart and proactive to meet and hire new babysitters. Here’s why:

Why Try a New Babysitter?

  1. You need to build your sitter repertoire. Think of a fortified bank of sitters as a critical piece of your parenting arsenal.  You don’t want to leave yourself vulnerable by depending solely on one or two sitters for your childcare needs, especially if it takes your child some time to warm up to someone new. Knowing you have a solid bevy of babysitters you know and trust at your ready is a nice insurance policy. It will ultimately save you from last minute scrambles when your babysitter cancels.
  2. Your kids will benefit from a change of pace.  Think of how excited your child will be to meet a new babysitter with a shared interest. With UrbanSitter, you can find someone with your must-haves–someone who is CPR-certified, is comfortable driving carpool, can cook your family dinner – and you can also check profiles to see who might be active in theater, coach a soccer team or lifeguard at a local pool.
  3. You are getting a trial run for future needs. It’s hard to imagine how your child’s needs will change in the not-so-distant future, but kids grow and mature quickly and their needs change right along with them. For instance, you might soon need a babysitter who can handle carpool, help with homework or if you are expecting a new addition to your family you will soon need someone who is comfortable with a newborn.  Meeting new babysitters now will help you prepare for the future.
  4. Easier transitions later. If you know you’ll be hiring a new babysitter for after-school care or someone to help with the baby a few mornings a week once older siblings are back to school, it’s nice to ease into the change and let your child get to know them little by little.  Even if you only plan to book a new sitter for occasional needs, it’ll help your child and the sitter begin to build a relationship, which ultimately means fewer tearful hand-offs down the road.
  5. Your babysitter’s needs and schedule are likely to change, too.  No one can predict the future. Your sitter’s availability could change if she decides to take, for example, a class or a second job, or she could move out of town.  You won’t want to be left in a lurch if her availability no longer matches your needs.  It’s never easy to lose a babysitter your family depends on, but the process of finding a replacement is a lot easier if you have a few back-up sitters at the ready.

Sold on the importance of trying a new sitter but not sure how to find her? The next time your regular sitter is unavailable ask her to recommend a friend with babysitting experience.  She’ll be helping out a friend and a loyal employer.  You can also ask neighbors and friends for recommendations, post an ad on local college job boards, and of course, check UrbanSitter to review scores of sitter profiles and see who’s available when you need the help.

Find and book trusted babysitters with UrbanSitter.

5 Ways a Babysitter Can Help This Summer

find a summer babysitter

Now that the kids are home from school for the summer, you’re faced with a whole different set of childcare needs. If you need full-time childcare for the summer, you likely have it covered by now. For the rest of us who could use a hand over the next few months, here are some helpful ways a babysitter might be just what’s needed.

5 Ways to Make the Most of a Summer Babysitter:

1. Camp and Activity Chauffeur

A summer schedule that includes day camps and summer activities, such as lessons or tutoring, has the potential to turn you into a prisoner of your own car. Instead of enjoying a relaxing break from school-year routine and obligation, you’re pulling your hair out trying to mastermind the logistics of transporting numerous children to numerous locations at undoubtedly conflicting times. Hire a sitter to help with the load.

UrbanSitter has many trustworthy sitters who are more than willing to drive your children using their own car or yours. Do a babysitter search and filter to see only candidates who have a vehicle and will drive kids.

2. Mother’s/Father’s Helper

For the times when an extra pair of hands makes all the difference in the world. Hire a babysitter to play with the kids while you make an impressive dinner for guests (or even a simple one for your own family), help entertain a load of visiting friends and cousins, take over while you tackle a DIY home project that’s you’ve been itching to get to (turn the baby’s room into a big kid room, starting with a fresh coat of paint; sort and organize the clothes your kids are outgrowing at rapid pace), co-host a summer birthday party, or maybe even just help to give older siblings a bit of extra attention if a new baby has recently joined the family.

3. Morning or Afternoon Sanity Saver

It’s really fantastic to have a few hours every week you can count on to take care of life without bringing the kids along. Hiring a babysitter for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, a morning each week or as often as you can afford is an absolute sanity saver. Imagine how much easier it would be schedule appointments, catch up with a friend from pre-kid days or just get some work done, knowing the kids are covered.

Did you know UrbanSitter allows babysitters to post their weekly availability, blocking times when they have other jobs or classes, so you can see who is available to fit your schedule?

4. Vacation Nanny

Whether you are driving to a nearby beach for a week or taking the whole crew on a plane for a jaunt across the country or over the pond, it’s infinitely easier to do it with a babysitter along to help. You might have your spouse or a grandparent to share the load, but they aren’t likely relishing 24/7 kid duty. A babysitter can help entertain the kids while you and your spouse or other adults  truly enjoy some vacation time – dining out past 5 pm, reading a book poolside, playing a round of golf or sneaking off to the spa.

Be sure to talk with your babysitter before the trip to make sure you have the same expectations for the trip, including how much time she’ll spend with the kids, when and if she’ll join in on family time, how much free time she will have, and what expenses will be covered.

5. Pool or Park Chaperone

If your summer involves a lot of time at the pool and park, lucky you, but chances are there are days when you have other places you want or need to be. It’s pretty darn nice to have a reliable, trustworthy babysitter to take the kids off your hands and take them to the pool or park. If you have more than one child, especially if one is a baby or toddler who is still napping or an older child who has other places to be, it’s valuable to  have a babysitter to split the duty. She can help while you stay home with a sleeping baby or transport an older child.

UrbanSitter lets you search for babysitters who are child/infant CPR-trained. Our blog post on Summer Safety is a great resource to share with your babysitter before she takes on summer duty.

Regardless of when you need a babysitter, UrbanSitter is an excellent resource for finding just the right one for this summer and beyond.

Check out new babysitter profiles that have been added in your area, and go ahead and try a new babysitter who’s right for you. You deserve it!

 

 

What to Expect from a Summer Sitter

find a summer sitterWith the end of the school year looming, it’s time to line up a summer sitter (or two) to help out in the coming months. Since many college-age sitters are on summer break, you’ll have many choices IF you hire now. Here are just a few qualities you might want to look for when selecting a summer sitter.

Things to Look for in a Summer Sitter

Compatible schedules. If you’re a stay at home mom, you might just need a few hours in the morning to work out — this might be the ideal schedule for a college student who wants the afternoons off to be with friends. UrbanSitter makes it easy to find a sitter with a compatible schedule. Start with a search by date/time to view available sitters and their monthly calendars, or post a job for your exact needs.

Lots of energy. If your children love to play outside–and if one of your brood happens to be “a runner”–you’ll probably need a summer sitter who is willing and able to keep up with them in the hot weather. Spell out how many hours and what kinds of activity your kids like, so your sitter knows what she’s committing to. Also, it’s a great segue to remind your sitter about sunscreen and proper hydration for the kids.

CPR-trained. If swim class or trips to the pool are on the agenda this summer, it might be reassuring to hire a sitter who has been trained or is certified in child/infant CPR. On UrbanSitter, you can search specifically for local babysitters who are CPR trained/certified. Don’t forget to talk to your summer sitter about the importance of calling 911.

Willingness to drive. Some sitters will happily take on the responsibility of pick ups and drop offs. Besides checking their driver’s license and driving record, you might want to review schedules and best routes with your sitter–and show them how to use the child car seats. A few test runs with you in the car may also help to gauge your comfort level with the sitter’s driving capabilities. UrbanSitter lets you search for sitters who have a driver’s license and their own car, so you can get some road relief.

UrbanSitter is always ready to meet your childcare needs — any season of the year.

How much to pay the babysitter for New Year’s Eve

cheers_icon If you have New Year’s Eve plans this year, you’re probably wondering how you’re ever going to find a babysitter–and once you find one, how much should you pay for New Year’s Eve?

Step 1: Finding a sitter for available on New Year’s Eve

Chances are the college-aged sitter you normally rely on already has plans. If that’s the case, try logging on to UrbanSitter and doing a search for sitters available on December 31st, or post a job. Send a few booking requests out and see if you get any takers. Before you do, think about the best pay rate you’re willing to offer.

Step 2: Deciding how much to pay a sitter on New Year’s Eve

Most parents expect to pay a premium to lock in a sitter on New Year’s Eve, but how much is enough? According to our recent survey:
30% expect to pay a babysitter their normal rate
53% expect to pay 1.5 times the normal rate
15% expect to pay 2 times the normal rate

Step 3: Lock it in

So you’re willing to pay top dollar, but what else can you do to ensure you’ll score a sitter? Offer to pay her cab ride home, delicious takeout, and if you’re not getting back until late, work out an overnight stay fee. She’ll be delighted to crash on your couch and earn an extra buck.

Enjoy the big night and Happy New Year!

Search for babysitters available on New Year’s Eve at UrbanSitter.com.

Free, Printable Emergency Contacts Card to Leave with the Babysitter

Have you ever settled into a dark movie theater on date night, turned your phone to silent, yet couldn’t seem to turn off the voice in the back of your head that kept saying, “Does the sitter know who to call if she can’t reach me? Have I told her what to do in case of an emergency?” Even if you did tell her, it was likely ages ago and you start to wonder if she remembers or has the numbers handy. Not a fun way to spend date night, fighting with that voice in the back of your head all night.

Quick fix to quiet that voice: Print the UrbanSitter Emergency Contacts card, fill it out and make a habit of leaving one on the counter each and every time you leave your kids with a sitter.

Click here to download the printable UrbanSitter Emergency Contacts Card

Your sitter will have an easy to find, hard to miss summary of the info that’s critical in the case of an emergency – contact numbers for you, your spouse, your kids’ pediatrician, and anyone you’d like her to call in case she can’t reach you; as well as your home address, your kids birthdays, and insurance info.

You can never be too prepared, especially when it comes to your kids. Now, go ahead and enjoy date night! We’ve got you covered.

Find CPR-trained babysitters on UrbanSitter.

7 Summer Safety Guidelines to Share with Your Sitter

Give yourself a break this summer and hire a sitter to take over a day of pool duty, run the kids to the park or just spend an afternoon playing with them in your own backyard.

But, before you take off for your well-deserved time-away, make sure you have a responsible sitter. UrbanSitter enables you to find sitters whom friends or other local parents recommend, plus you can see if the sitters are First Aid and CPR-trained. Those added layers of comfort go a long way when choosing someone to care for your kids, especially at a pool or beach.

Once you have your kids in good hands, follow these helpful guidelines to communicate summer safety with your sitter:

  1. Share your emergency plan. If your child falls off the monkey bars at the park and the sitter can’t reach you, whom does she call? Where’s the nearest ER? Leave her an emergency contact list that includes cell phone numbers, your home address and instructions on what to do in case of an emergency.
  2. Pack a ready-to-go tote bag of safety essentials for your sitter. You’ll both feel good knowing she’s prepared. Include a first aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, water bottles, snacks and your emergency contacts.
  3. Practice sun smarts. Even on cloudy days, children can burn and just one bad sunburn in childhood is said to significantly increase chances of a melanoma later in life. Protect kids with hats, sunglasses and a sunscreen that shields against both UVA and UVB rays. Babies under six months cannot wear sunscreen, and should not be exposed to sun.
  4. Never leave kids unattended at the pool or beach, regardless of age or swimming ability. Swim vests and arm floats are helpful, but should never, ever replace a watchful sitter. Is your sitter certified for child/infant CPR? If not, consider paying for them to take a course.
  5. Keep kids hydrated. Children can’t sweat like adults do, so they are more prone to dehydration. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids have something to drink every twenty minutes when they are active. Tell your sitter to have sippy cups and water bottles handy and replenish often. She should watch for signs of dehydration – listlessness, redness in the face and irritability – and know to respond quickly.
  6. When riding bikes or scooters or skating, mandate a helmet. The AAP advises parents that 85 percent of all bike-related injuries could have been prevented if a helmet was worn.
  7. Prevent bug bites and stings. Provide your sitter with non-toxic repellents to apply after sunscreen. Be watchful of any allergic reaction to stinks or bites, and know what to do if a reaction occurs. Include single-dose Benadryl in your summer tote.

Discover a new way to find and book babysitters at UrbanSitter.