How would you try to find a babysitter?

[MrsGrumpy]

Thought I'd post here to ask all the moms what they do to find a good sitter. I've called the high school, and they told me they no longer share information of people looking for sitters with the students. I tried this online service called Sitter City with no luck at $9.99 a month. So I posted an ad on craigslist. I found a great sitter that has been working for us since March , but now I need to find someone again. She had a family emergency that requires her to be away for most of the summer. I tried craigslist again, but no responses worth talking to.

Any ideas are appreciated. I have a full time job plus my Pampered Chef business. Dave works full time and weekends at his other job. So I really need someone reliable.

[BlondeOnaBusa]

Sure wish I had some advise for ya. We have always been lucky enough to live close to family. Good lucky!

[HRHDi]

I'm always very paranoid about sitters. Before my kids were old enough to stay home by themselves, unless I had a family or close friend nearby, I always went with an accredited daycare. They can be more expensive but they have to be certified by the state most places and the employees have to have a background check. I also felt that it gave the kids more variety than being at home.

I really don't have any advice, but good luck.

[Busa Jules]

THE NUMBER ONE REASON I DON'T HAVE KIDS!!!

Who the heck will watch em?

My mother in law has the "I already raised my kids" philosophy and MY parents are 600 miles away.

Dogs are so much easier.. feed em in the morning, close the door, leave the TV on and see em at 5:00!

(Although we do pay a dogsitter when we go away for more han a day)

Good Luck

[BUSABABY07]

I know over here in Illinois you can go to the High School and they typically have a board to post jobs etc. and the school lets people put ads up there. I would check that out. Hope this helps

[VaBusa]

I'd really only trust word-of-mouth by those you trust...I'm very protective when it comes to my kids, so I wouldn't trust just anyone and doubt I'd ever use someone that's advertised in the local papers unless they have a well known reputation...

We lucked out with our daycare years ago; very good friend of ours has an aunt that babysits, and she is in high demand and she feels like part of our family after nearly 8 years of her watching our boys...I've never spent a moment worrying about my kids while they've been in her care and that peace of mind is worth everything to me...

Start asking close friends who they may know that can help you out Good luck!

[Mrs.Rubber2Burn]

I tried to post on this Saturday but I think I got too wordy and it never posted...

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR US!!!

With Hubby having been in the Navy for 12 years, we were always at least a thousand miles from family or friends. It was never easy. Luckily we "broke the rules" and found a good sitter at our son's two daycares. One in Norfolk and the other here in Austin.

We also found a good sitter on Craigslist. She was a high school student advertising her services. Of course I did not just call her up and hire her on the spot. We did the whole "job interview", do you have references process. I supervised her and my son playing for awhile to make sure they would get along. I would rather use his Pre-K teacher, but I do trust this girl for date nights.

[mrninja9]

talk to co workers freinds stuff like that anyone who has kids cause they will no just put the word of help out there even maybe your local church and see if they might no of any that is usually a great start cause who goes to church thats a trouble maker hahah


sorry but yeah try the churches

[Jyn]

I also have the same problem. I have family that helps out alot and semi of course. Over here in southern Illinois there is a referral agency through the government. Try your yellow pages for a referral agency near you. They usually will mailouta stack of information about daycares, home daycares and individuals who have been checked out already. Good luck!

[Tina]

We are lucky in that we have both sets of grandparents that live within 12 miles of us. They are usually able to sit for us when we need them. Both grandfathers are retired, so they can sometimes be pretty flexible. We also use teenagers. Luckily, my son, who is 11, has friends who have older sisters that I have always found trustworthy. I have known them for years, and have seen them interract with my girls for sometime now. Now they are babysitting age, and they have taken the first aid course from the Red Cross. So, I know I can trust them. Like I said, I have gotten lucky. Talk to neighbors, classmates of your kids, . . . I think word of mouth referrals for babysitters are the best way to find someone you can trust!