Babysitters

As a parent of a young child nowadays there are many stresses. Finding a babysitter shouldn't be something that we should have to worry about, but unfortunately, far too many tragic and appalling events have occurred and have changed that.

When I was a child, my parents didn't worry about finding babysitters, they just called someone up. What has gone wrong in our society? why is this situation such a problem? Nowadays, I would not even consider babysitters that were not familiar to me. In fact, I would hesitate to even contemplate searching for any babysitters at all.

My present babysitting arrangements are that either my parents, or my best friend watch over my child, and I have never so far trusted any other babysitters. Of course, I have my child in a 'private daycare', one that I carefully chose and thoroughly 'checked out'. I always need to know exactly where my daughter is and who is around her at all times.

It is unbelievable that there have been so many sad and horrible stories of babysitters abusing children - either sexually or physically. The news is constantly warning of such things. My community, which is better known as being a tight-knit community, but in the past two years, five children have died at the hands of babysitters. In each and every case except one, the babysitters were boyfriends of the child's mother.

The fifth death was from a hired agency babysitter who decided they were fed up with the cries of an infant and smothered her.The babysitters, mentioned, who were 'trusted', boyfriends, were acting out of anger because of the child's cries or tantrums. One of the babysitters sexually abused an 8 month old little girl, hurting her so badly that she died the following morning.

Taking the things mentioned above into account, finding babysitters is not an easy task. Not only that but it is a critically crucial task that you just cannot afford to get wrong.

In some of these cases,you will see that a single mother trusted her boyfriend, to look after and to protect her child. The 'trusted', babysitter, not only ended up failing to protect the children but actually took the life of the unfortunate child, who never even had a chance to live. The mothers trust was certainly misplaced and she, unfortunately, will live to regret it for the rest of her life.

If you do have to look for babysitters that you are not familiar with. Take the extra time in doing your research. Get references from the babysitters look at them very closely and if necessary telephone the referee and speak with then to ensure the references are genuine.

Don't just look at the list of reference names, give them a call. Ask detailed questions from both the babysitters and reference givers. Inquire how the babysitters would handle certain hypothetical situations?

• Ask them how they would handle the disciplining a child if that was ever necessary?
• Find out as much about the potential babysitters, as possible.
• Do they have any experience? they would not be able to provide references for you to see had they not.
• Remember, it is possible that the babysitters may well be spending more time with your children, some days, than you will be.
• So you really need to know everything about them and what your child will be subjected to and surrounded by.

I myself spent many weeks talking to daycare centers and private babysitters, carefully vetting them, before I finally chose someone. As soon as I met her, I just knew that she was the one, who I would want as being a second mother to my child.

Do your child the favor of checking into their babysitters because they can't. By doing some careful research and listening to your own feelings regarding potential babysitters you will find the right one.

Caring enough about your child to find the right babysitter, means that you could be preventing something from going terribly wrong. Your child is certainly worth that extra bit of effort and trouble.