Baby Sitter - Norman,OK

I've been in childcare for a long time and can tell you that the bad sitters get more attention that the millions of good ones. We don't YouTube the good sitters, because they are 'boring' mediawise, but they are worth their weight in gold.

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If you don't want to hire just anybody, talk to friends and family to see who they use. Most of the time my DD is babysat by my (20 yr old) niece. She's babysat DD since she was 4 mo. old and we trust her. I don't think we've ever hired anyone not friend or family outside of her daycare.

I haven't seen this video, but you can't live in fear. Yes there are awful babysitters, but there are also awful parents, grandparents, etc. Instead of putting out an ad for a sitter, talk to your friends who are parents, or who have children old enough to babysit. If you have family in the area, ask them. Get a recommendation vs. a stranger. You'll feel better that way.

Yes, it's normal to be scared. We didn't let anyone other than family watch our first son until he was a little over 3. He was old enough to communicate what went on while we were gone. And when we did use someone other than family it was his preschool teachers daughter so we knew the family. Check with friends and neighbors, see if you can get someone they know and trust. You'll enjoy yourself more when you're out if she comes with a recommendation from someone you know.

Get referrals from friends and family - all the sitters I ever used for my son where family friends. I was more comfortable that way, and these were people he would see on other occasions so he was more comfortable with them.

Honestly, I would never hire a sitter that was not referred by some one I know. Just me, and I am way over protective.

Good Luck and God Bless

I can tell you from working as a nanny that yes there are bad and abusive sitters and but most of the time the abuser is a family member or close friend. I am a nanny for 5 families and the only one that watches their children. I was referred by a friend of the first family and all but one of them is related. I would die to protect the kids, I give them love and discipline and they will cry and ask mom and dad to leave so I can stay. The children also spend a night at my house every couple of weeks by themselves so we can have a special time without brothers and sisters taking my time for them. The girls and I paint our nails and toes, bake cookies and watch movies or whatever they want to do during our time. The boys and I color, play WII, play with trucks and jump on the trampoline, read books together or just chill out with a movie. I have a 4 year old who the only person besides his sister that he has spent the night with is one of my families who has a little boy 7 weeks older. One family moved a 2 1/2 hour car trip away and on weekends they would pay for my gas to drive to their new home and stay the weekend with the kids along with paying for my time, I was glad when they moved back but I would have continued driving if I needed too.

If you do not feel comfortable with someone that is recommended by family or friends do not leave your child with them. For a new family I usually go a couple days after the interview and spend time with the kids while mom and dad are there and the first time they leave them I get there early so I can find out the routines, where things are kept and let mom and dad see how we interact. Follow your instincts you are paying that person to take care of your child and if after a couple of times the child still has not taken to the sitter I would find someone else.

Good luck.

I would never run an ad for a sitter or use one not personally recommended by a friend or family member. Talk to neighbors, a local church or someone in your office/husband's office. Surely, you will be able to find someone that has experience caring for their child(ren) and they personally know the sitter.

That's how I feel about school. I've homeschooled all my children because I'm afraid of other people.

What you NEED to do is fine someone that is very much like you. Find someone that's old enough to have years of experience, has raised their own children, but not yet too old. Better yet, take them to a provider that does care in their own home and is open 24/7. That's a person that's dedicated. Someone that's been in business for YEARS has to be pretty good or she would have been shut down by now. Go with your gut. Make sure this person doesn't rush you through an interview.

There are wonderful providers out there. You just have to do your due diligence to find one.

Most sitters are not abusive to kids, but we tend to stick with family. The only non family sitters we have had were teachers from his day care when he was in day care. That may be an option for you if your kiddo's are in day care.

Hi Kate,

We never let anyone watch our kids except my sister. I probably would have let one or two of other family members but they didn't want to.I knew I could trust my sister to do anything I would do. Most of the time, the kids went with us or we stayed in. That being said, both my daughters babysit for extra money and are wonderful with kids. My 15 year old just got back from Disney with an all expense paid working vacation with her employers (our Chiropractors) plus they paid her so of course I believe some babysitters can be trusted.

Get referrals and then let them watch the kids with you home a couple of times before you trust them alone. Even though they may be a little uncomfortable with you watching them, it should be understood that you are cautious. The more cautious you are, the more a person will follow your lead as well.

God bless!

M.

I babysat for YEARS before before having kids and am horrified at that video! I knowI never did ANYTHING like that with my kids (babysat or my kids). I cared for several downs and sever aspies (sever in that they don't talk and will never be potty trained) as well as normal kids, and I would NEVER imagine doing that (and believe me there were some really crazy things that happened...)