The first several months of motherhood often go by in a blur. You are sleep deprived, totally consumed by your little one, and struggling most days to even get a shower in. The idea of getting a sitter and going out probably didn’t cross your mind.
But now that your baby is a little older, hopefully sleeping a bit more at night, you may be feeling a little stir crazy and like you are ready for that time away. Maybe you’re hoping for a romantic date with your partner, or a baby-free meal with your friends. The only thing standing in your way is figuring out who will watch your baby.
If you’re not one of the lucky people who has family nearby you can rely on, finding that help can feel even more complicated. Do you post want ads on Craigslist? Fliers at the grocery store? Do you randomly walk up to young girls of babysitting age and ask them if they’re interested?
That thought may have crossed your mind, but then you remembered that whoever you select, it’s someone you’re going to leave alone with the most important person in your world—your baby. So you need to somehow be able to vet them so that you can fully trust in his or her ability to safely and lovingly care for your child.
And hiring a babysitter you trust can seem near impossible at times.
So why don’t you start by asking for recommendations from your friends and co-workers for babysitters they use? Hiring someone that has already been vouched for by someone you trust can help make the process a little less scary.
Another option is to ask the teachers at your child’s daycare—they may be willing to babysit for extra money, and the bonus is that your child already knows them!
If all else fails, you can always interview through sites like care.com or hellositter.com, where background checks are performed on all the caregivers available.
Regardless of which method you choose, you should still interview any potential babysitters, asking questions about CPR certifications, experience with babies, and what they would do in the case of an emergency. Consider having the potential sitter over for dinner one night before your night out as well. This way, you can see how he or she interacts with your child, and you can get a better feel for them overall.
Finding a good sitter can sometimes be difficult, but don’t get discouraged. They are out there, and once you find somebody you trust, you will truly be able to enjoy those nights out that you have definitely earned
Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.
