How to Find a Good Babysitter: Tips for Parents

Finding a reliable babysitter doesn’t have to be stressful. This Babysitter Boss episode walks parents through exactly how to find a trusted babysitter, what questions to ask before hiring, and why a face-to-face meeting matters.

Parents, this video is for you. Are you looking for a good reliable babysitter for the occasional date night? Has your spouse just mentioned that the two of you are expected to attend the annual company awards dinner, and by the way, it’s this Friday? 

There’s no reason to panic. At some point, every parent needs a babysitter. Even if you’re lucky enough to have Grandma nearby, you can’t always be sure that the awards dinner won’t conflict with bingo night. Besides, there are plenty of good, quality babysitters out there, so give Grandma a break and hire the babysitter that lives down the street.

Now, if you actually know a babysitter that lives in your neighborhood, you’re ahead of the game.  For the rest of you who don’t even know your neighbors’ names, don’t worry; I’ve got your back.

How to Find a Babysitter You Can Trust

Here’s the secret to finding a good babysitter: it’s like finding a good pediatrician. Follow me on this: Word. Of. Mouth. Ask your friends, your co-workers, or members of your church group if they have a recommendation. Somebody will have a lead on a good babysitter. Keep in mind, the best babysitters not only come highly recommended, but they’ve also completed a babysitting course like Safe Sitter®.

What to Say When You Contact a Babysitter

Once you get a name and number, give them a call. You’ll have to leave a message, of course, because <laughs and shakes head at camera like you’re being silly> we don’t answer phone calls… but go ahead and leave your name and cell phone number along with the following information:

• That you’re looking for a babysitter
• tell them who recommended them so that you don’t sound like a creepy stalker
• tell them how many kids they’d be watching, and the ages of the kids, and
• this is the most important part… they can text you in response. Or, just skip the message and text them this info in the first place.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Babysitter

If they’re interested in babysitting for you, they’ll text you back. At that point, you – at minimum – need to ask these two questions:

1. Are you available at that date and time?
2. How much do you charge? Don’t accept “Whatever you want” as a response. It’s hard to talk about money, but it’s absolutely necessary to prevent a misunderstanding. If the babysitter insists that anything will be fine then offer minimum wage.

Why a Face-to-Face Meeting Matters

If you don’t know them personally, then you still need to meet them face-to-face. It’s a good idea to ask them to stop by in advance so that you can meet them, talk to them, and introduce them to your children. If they aren’t acquainted with your family from school, church, or the neighborhood, then please don’t skip this step. This babysitter will be caring for your children, so it’s important that you and your children are comfortable with them.

Congratulations! You’ve got yourself a babysitter. If you treat them right, your babysitter could be with your family for years. You’ll get to have an occasional date night, and Grandma can still go to Bingo Night.

And help a girl out and tell your babysitter about my channel – I’m like a one-woman babysitter support group!