QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

The time has come that i get a babysitter so DH and I can occasionally go to a dinner or movie. (DS is 13 months now) Anyway, my plan is to start off with a mother's helper and once i am comfortable with the person, i would leave them alone with my DS. I live in a small town, so i am going to place an ad in the grocery store (lot's of people do this where i live). Anyway, my question is: what should i put down as the minimim age..16 years old, 18, 21? I'm totally clueless.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

My opinion, 16 is the youngest.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

I am going to be honest, I would not hire a 16 year old to watch my DD
(NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE AND I HOPE I DON'T GET FLAMED )
I would say 18 or older(even 18 is too young for me, I personally would not hire anyone younger than 21) with some experience.

Good luck

LOL came back to edit my post:
I started babysitting when I was 18 (with no experience) and I did a good job, but kids were older 10 and 13 so it was not that hard. But now that I have a child of my own I am having some trust issues when it comes to having someone babysit my DD(or maybe it's a control freak in me)

Message edited 7/14/2009 4:01:49 PM.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

Posted by tatuka

I am going to be honest, I would not hire a 16 year old to watch my DD
(NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE AND I HOPE I DON'T GET FLAMED )
I would say 18 or older with a little bit of experience.

Good luck

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

I have a 15 year old mothers helper. She watches DD while DH sleeps, so she is on her own in caring for DD, but not alone. The only reason I hired her is that she is the daughter of a friend of mine and has babysat another friends kids, so I know how she works.

I don't think you can base it on age. It's experience and maturity. You can have an 18 the is immature and not able to handle an emergency and have a 16 yo that is able to. Whatever you decide, I would make sure to get references. Experience is the best way to make sure they can handle it, regardless of age.

Good luck in your search.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by tatuka

I am going to be honest, I would not hire a 16 year old to watch my DD
(NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE AND I HOPE I DON'T GET FLAMED )
I would say 18 or older with a little bit of experience.

Good luck

I'm not going to flame you, but I think it will be difficult to find someone of that age to be a Mother's helper/babysitter....straight babysitter, then yes.

I think 16

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by tatuka

I am going to be honest, I would not hire a 16 year old to watch my DD
(NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE AND I HOPE I DON'T GET FLAMED )
I would say 18 or older with a little bit of experience.

Good luck

I'm not going to flame you, but I think it will be difficult to find someone of that age to be a Mother's helper/babysitter....straight babysitter, then yes.

I think 16

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

I think it depends on the kid. I've left my dd with a 15 year old who is AMAZING with children. I'm friends with her mother and I don't think twice about leaving dd with her. I have a neighbor who is 17 and I wouldn't leave dd with her because I don't think she has any experience with children. Honestly, I wouldn't put an ad up. Maybe you can go by word of mouth? Any friends babysitters, etc.?

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

well i'm really looking for a babysitter. But there is no way i'm leaving DS with someone brand new on the first meeting...so i figured i'd just use them while i'm in the house doing stuff first.

I wish i had someone to ask for references, but i don't. It stinks.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT BABYSITTER

Age and maturity are not always equal. I know some 14 year old more mature than 20 year olds. I think experience is key as well as personality.

Have you tried asking your neighbors for suggestions? You mentioned it is a small town, I am sure they will be familiar with many of the kids in the area.