5 Tips for Finding & Keeping the Perfect Babysitter + $50 VISA GC Giveaway

Being a work-at-home parent has its perks. It allows me to earn an income while staying home with my kids and it gives me the flexibility to work around my kids’ school and sport schedules. It works out well for me to do most of my work while the kids are at school. The summers, of course, are a little more challenging. With the kids home all day, it makes it a lot harder to get my work done. The kids just want to swim and play all day, and as much as I would love to do the same, I have to get some work done. I’ve accepted the fact that this summer I am going to need some help!

With summer break less than two weeks away, I’ve started looking for the perfect babysitter. We have family in town that will be able to help once in a while, but I would like to have someone who can come on a consistent basis — I’m thinking 2-3 days a week for half a day. I’ve narrowed it down to a couple of different college girls, so we are off to a good start! With that said, it’s not as easy as it might seem to find a good babysitter. There are so many things to consider such as her age, whether or not she has her own car and how much she charges.

As I have navigated through this process, I have come up with some tips that may be helpful to you as you search for the perfect babysitter for your family. Check them out below and then feel free to leave a comment if you have any tips to add!

5 Tips for Finding & Keeping the Perfect Babysitter

1. Ask Around for Recommendations – Talk to the parents you know through school, activities, sports, church, etc. to see if they have any babysitters that they would recommend. They probably won’t want to give up their favorite babysitter, but they may be willing to share!

2. Do Your Research – You are going to want to make sure that the person you hire is going to be a good fit for your family, so make sure you ask plenty of questions and don’t be afraid to ask for a background check. Find out if the person meets your requirements — first aid training, CPR certification, can drive or has her own car, willing to do housework, etc. Also make sure you ask for references from former employers, as well as past work experiences (current or former babysitting jobs is a plus).

3. Interview Candidates – After you’ve narrowed done your search to a handful of candidates, set up interviews in your own home. Have your kids meet each candidate to see how each one interacts with your kids. You should be able to get a good sense of whether or not a person is a good fit based on how the interaction goes. During this time, also make sure to go over expectations such as compensation, duties, house rules, etc.

4. Trust Your Gut & Be Consistent – As a parent, you know when something doesn’t feel right. After you’ve done your research and have interviewed each candidate, you should have a good idea of who will be the perfect fit for your family. You may find that more than one person will work and that is a good thing! It’s always nice to have a backup babysitter for those times when your main babysitter already has plans. Make sure that once you have selected the best babysitter for your family you are consistent with your expectations and that you pay promptly.

5. Stay Organized with the Sitter App – I just discovered the Sitter App and it has already been so helpful in helping me find and organize my list of babysitters. It’s really easy to use! Simply download the app (it’s free!) and complete your profile to start adding your current babysitters and friends. Then you can find babysitters in your area that meet your criteria, book and pay your babysitters instantly, and share your list of babysitters with your friends. It’s truly an all-in-one babysitting manager for your phone!

$50 VISA Gift Card Giveaway

Date night should be fun and hassle-free. Download the Sitter App to find and book a babysitter and then enter to WIN a $50 VISA Gift Card to get out and enjoy a date night courtesy of Sitter.me!

Simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Giveaway ends on 5/25 at 11:59 PM MST. Open to US residents, 18+. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I partnered with Sitter and The Motherhood to bring you this post. All opinions are my own.