Trouble Keeping A Steady Sitter? What to Consider

When you hire a babysitter, your goal is that they will be your sitter for the long term. However, there are instances where you are finding it difficult to keep a steady babysitter. From the impact on your children to trying to find a more consistent sitter, there are things to consider when things with your babysitter are unsteady.

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Help your child adjust

Children need consistency in their lives. When babysitters come and go, your child may feel reluctant to get to know a new sitter, especially if they were close to previous sitters. This can cause them to act out when a different babysitter is watching them. To help mitigate behavior issues, there are ways you can help your child adjust to the new babysitter. Involve your child in the process of hiring a new sitter. Include them in the interviews to see how the potential sitter interacts with them. Schedule a time when you are available for your child to meet the new babysitter. Having you around will help them feel safe and learn to trust the babysitter.

Find the right match

Hiring a babysitter is more than finding someone to be with your child.  You are looking for someone you can trust with your child and their safety, both physical and emotional. As a parent, you know your child best, and this will allow you to find a babysitter who matches your child’s needs and personality. The babysitter also has to feel like your family is a good match for them. Your babysitter should be on the same page as you in terms of parenting style and various aspects of childcare. They have to know they can come to you with questions or concerns. Allowing this trust and communication with a good match is essential for you and the babysitter to ensure the safety of your child.

Make your babysitter feel at home

Your babysitter is going to be spending a good amount of time in your home while they care for your child. While there should be some boundaries as to rooms they cannot go into, they should feel comfortable enough with you and your family to feel at home. They should not feel nervous about sitting on certain pieces of furniture or question what supplies they can use to help care for your child. If they feel comfortable and at home, they will be more likely to stay on as your babysitter for the long term.

Graduation

Your babysitter may be a student. If they are not from the college town where you live, it is likely that they will move away after graduation, leaving you without a sitter. If you want a steadier babysitter, consider asking what the sitter’s plans are after graduation. You may consider a different person if your sitter intends to move away or find a full-time job after graduation. It may also be an option to find someone who is going to get a master’s degree after they get their Bachelor’s degree, especially if they are getting both from the same school. This will help minimize disruptions in your babysitting service and will allow your child to get to know the sitter really well.

Shared schedules

One difficulty you may be experiencing is a babysitter who has a different schedule than what you are looking for or someone who is constantly canceling because of plans. When you hire a babysitter, create a shared schedule where you each can put in events and obligations you have. This way, you can see when you might need to bring in a different babysitter, and your babysitter can see the days that you need a sitter.

Honor and set boundaries

Your babysitter is just that- a babysitter. This role has defined job duties that mainly consist of caring for your child. Babysitters usually do not do major house tasks such as cleaning or laundry. However, if you want your babysitter to do some of these things, be sure to talk to them first and be respectful if they want to focus on babysitting tasks. In general, set boundaries with your babysitter and have them do the same. Setting boundaries may also look like having “rules” in place for how many times your sitter can call out because of other plans.

Alternative childcare options

If you have a string of babysitters not working out, you may decide to look into alternative childcare options. Nannies tend to be older and have the nannying job be their sole focus. Look into daycares, preschools, or after-school programs, depending on your child’s age and your budget. Summer camps may be an option during the summer months. You may even want to see if family members or friends you trust are able to help. Exploring options can help give you peace of mind in case babysitters do not work out.

Having a string of unsteady babysitters can be frustrating, but there are things to consider if this happens.