|
You have a last-minute desire to go out and celebrate New Year's Eve. Your chances of finding a babysitter are probably about as good as winning the lottery, right? So what's a parent to do?
Every New Year's Eve creates an overwhelming demand for babysitting services. From neighborhood novices to professional nannies, babysitters are capitalizing on the event. Many agencies in New York City are being booked with sitters getting top dollar, which is about $100 an hour or more. And you can book some sitters through their Web sites.
One alternative to staying home on New Year's Eve is to check out hotels, many of which feature parties and celebration for adults as well as parties or babysitting services for the kids. If you haven't done so already, try calling friends who have children and see who is staying in for the night. You might be able to work out an attractive barter arrangement - offering to keep their children on a special occasion when they would like to go out, if they take yours on New Year's Eve.
Some churches, schools, pediatricians and neighborhood groups also make a list of babysitters available to parents.
If you are lucky enough to find a sitter for New Year's, make sure you interview the individual personally before leaving your children in that person's care, no matter how you found out about the sitter. Ask for references of other families who have employed the sitter. Also, have the sitter come to the house in advance for an hour or two, if possible, while you are at home so the children can meet him or her.
Don't leave children in charge of children. While there is no absolute magic age that guarantees a responsible babysitter, the national Safe Sitter program requires children to be at least 11 years old to participate in its classes. Consider the ages and number of children to be watched. Infants and toddlers require constant supervision, while an older child may require less. Furthermore, consider the length of time you will be away. A younger sitter may be fine for a few hours in the evening when the baby is asleep but may not be able to handle multiple tasks such as bathing and feeding small children.
Find out if your sitter has been instructed in safety basics. Ideally, a sitter should have knowledge of rescue techniques for choking and know some basic first aid, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Below is a list of tips for preparing a babysitter for the job:
- Give a detailed tour of your home. Point out telephones and post emergency numbers, including a relative or friend who can be reached immediately. Always leave a phone number where you can be reached, and tell the sitter where you will be.
- Review household hints such as how to work the heating and air-conditioner systems, how to work any alarms and what to do should an alarm sound.
- Give precise instructions about your expectations regarding feeding and bedtime schedules.
- Review rules in the presence of your children so everyone is clear about what is expected.
- If your sitter must administer any medication, write down and review the exact dosage amount and the time that the medicine should be given.
- Review household rules. Specify areas that are off-limits. Discuss your policy regarding the sitter's use of the phone and letting in outside visitors.
- Prepare your sitter for an emergency by leaving your child's healthcare provider's name and number, along with health insurance information and a medical release authorizing medical treatment until you can be reached.
|
|
|
External Source
 |
American Academy of Pediatrics
|
|
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
Return to the previous page
|
