Finding a good babysitter

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to go about finding a good babysitter? I dont' really know any of the young adults in our area and we kind of live in a rural area. Are there any good websites that provide referral services for this?

Carina

 

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to go about finding a good babysitter? I dont' really know any of the young adults in our area and we kind of live in a rural area. Are there any good websites that provide referral services for this?

Carina

 

I know you said you live in a more rural area, but if there is a nearby college, even 25 minutes away, they sometimes have a list that is sent to the public of students who are interested in babysitting. I know I was on that list for my college, and so many people called me for babysitting jobs. Maybe even a nearby high school offers such a list?? If you know of any other people who have young children that can give good babysitter references, that would work too (although I assume you've probably already done that). It can be tough to find a good one, but in my experience, word of mouth is one of the greatest ways. Good luck!

 

Do you use daycare, or have friends who do? That is where we found ours. I like it because she is in the twins' room, so at least they are familiar with her, and I know she can handle multiple children since the state has a 5-to-1 ratio with infants... That is my big concern, at least with three at home. Not many people can handle twins, much less twins plus another child.

Other than that, I would ask around with your local Mother of Twins or Mother of Multiples group... or even just ask other mothers with multiple children for a recommendation.

The college idea is a good one, too, although personally I wouldn't just want a college kid who wants to make a few bucks. I'd want someone I know has experience and cool when it comes to handling multiples. Some college kids are quite experienced, but I'm sure not all are.

 

i would have to agree with the post above me... the thought of some college student just needing some money to keep my 2 8mth old boys and a 3yr old scares me mabye thats just me though. i dont leave my kids with anybody whoim is not family. not too scare u but as u know there are alot of wierdos out there now a days. if u do go that route please please do backround checks on whomever u deciede. happy searching.

 

quote:
The college idea is a good one, too, although personally I wouldn't just want a college kid who wants to make a few bucks.


I just want to clarify a few things: To be on our college's list (a very conservative Christian college, well-known for its dry campus, and people were kicked out even if caught drinking off campus) we had to provide references for people to call, and I was always interviewed at the college by the family first, then babysat with the people around a time or two before they left their kids. In addition, to be on the list, we had to submit a "Child Abuse Clearance" and an FBI background check. Basically, only those of us who were doing educational field experiences & student teaching were on the list, since not just anybody would want to pay for and take the time to get those clearances through the state. If not for all that, I wouldn't want to call somebody on some list either.

 

i didnt mean to offend u in any way. thats just my personal opoion. im not saying all college student are a bad idea at all but alot of them just want some extra money. im sorry if i off. u in any way. also i speak so highly of this b/c i have been in this situation. i needed a sitter and looked at college students but either they said it ws too many kids or they cant b/c of the hours and theire classes. i did find 1 whom i did backround checks on and i have 10 personal and job realted refrs. from. i didnt call all the refsc. but the majoority i did. whick was like a friend a relative a bf etc of course they will say positive things about a person to get them a job. well it ended up with my son 3yrs asking me if i drink beer like the babysitter does. and why she always sayd bad words. my son will tell on anybody for anything lol. but she was he being paid to watch my kids and drinking at the same time also using prof. language infront of them. i dnt do that and i dnt allow any body elese too. mabye this is whe i spoke so NOT highly on a college staudent. some are ok but i prefer not to do it b/c of that sutuation. mabye one that has theire own kids i would feel comf with. im a young 24 yr old mother myself with 3 beatiful boys and im in school to become an lpn but alot of college kids dont care they just want the money. once again sorry i if offended u.

 

You could also call a church in your area and ask the phone answerer if they know of any high school or college kids who like to babysit. We use two college girls from our church for when our kids are awake and/or need to go to bed. If we don't go out until after bedtime, we use a neighbor girl. We are also in a very rural area, and that's what works for us.

 

quote:
once again sorry i if offended u.

Totally not offended! Just worried that someone might take it to mean that I'd let my children stay with just any money hungry college kid. Also, I had just wanted to clarify things b/c I assume that any college promoting such community service would most likely have a "safe" list like I described with qualified, interested students. Sorry if I seemed preachy... as I re-read in response to your apology, I think it came out in a different tone than I'd intended. You're right in that there are likely a lot of unreliable college kids out there. I tend to forget that people "party" like that, given my conservative college experience. I should probably have elaborated in my op.

 

its fine i just didnt mean to offend u. i understand what your saying i was just saying my point of view. i never thought u just let your kids with anybody that just wanted money i didnt mean it like that. im glad we understand eachother's points now.

 

I just want to say I have GREAT experience with a college student who was 'just in it for the $$$' of course I know her mom so that helps!

As a high school teacher new parents call the office and ask teacher to recommend students for babysitting, then the secretary gives names to the students and they can decide to call the parent or not!!! But that way you get teacher recs, and not just friends! GOOD LUCK

 

My twins go to a daycare, and it is thier policy that none of the teachers can babysit outside of the center. One of our favorite teachers recently quit to start her own business, but now she is available to sit for us. DH and I don't have any family here, so we were so happy that she offered to sit for us. She knows the twins, and they just adore her, so that ended up working out great for us, even though we hated to see her go.

So like the pp said, maybe you could check some of the better local daycares and see if they can recommend some sitters.

Good luck!!!