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Simplified search for the perfect sitter Finding the perfect sitter is tough enough. Simplify the search with resources already close at hand. Whether finally caving to your husband's persistent whining or reaching the realization on your own, you've decided it's time. Time to tweeze your brows, put on a skirt (a clean one), and ditch the diaper bag for an adults-only night on the town. But where in the world will you find a sitter who knows your baby wants a cookie when she says "tootie", or that the best medicine for a boo-boo is singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider with a British accent? There is a perfectly-worthy sitter out there eager to take on your baby along with your overprotective new mommy neuroses. You just have to know where to look. Cloning yourself is not a possibility yet. But thankfully there are resources available to help you find someone better than your co-worker's friend's neighbor's niece, Kimmy. Other Moms Obviously tap into this invaluable network first. Conversations from the playground sidelines are brutally honest, so you can expect straightforward opinions from other moms. You're not the only one who has ever struggled to hire a sitter for the first time. Chances are pretty high you know a mom with a polished list of go-to sitters who have already passed her rigorous test. Daycare Directors Ask your child's daycare director if anyone on the staff is willing to watch your child after hours. Given the amount of physical and mental labor required of daycare professionals, they are likely not paid nearly enough. A lot of teachers would probably work a little overtime for some extra cash. They're obviously passionate about little ones and they have all the necessary training. Best of all, they're familiar with your child's unique language and routine. Neighborhood or Church Newsletters Parents who take the time to help their teen place an ad in one of these newsletters have probably raised a hard-working adult in the making. Even though you may not know them on a personal level, the family is already part of a group you associate with on a regular basis. Treat it like any other hiring situation. Talk to the teen and her parents about her intentions and don't be shy about asking for references. Professional Organizations Organizations like MommyMixer® (www.mommymixer.com) are designed to facilitate meetings between mommies and nannies in a relaxed, social environment. This helps reveal true personalities and the ever-important chemistry between care-giver and family. It's a win-win situation. Mommies get smart, driven students eager to help out, and nannies get the money needed to keep their heads above water while in college. Online Resources With little spare time and even fewer extra hands, moms research and shop online for everything these days. It makes perfect sense that searching for a sitter online followed suit. Touts from Oprah, the Today Show, and Martha Stewart have helped build confidence in sites like BabySitters.com (www.babysitters.com) and Sittercity (www.sittercity.com) to safely connect families with sitters all over the country. About the author: Sarah Brown is the co-founder and owner of Austin, TX-based online baby boutique, www.twobluepeas.com. Two Blue Peas offers stylish clothes and unique gifts, featuring the latest lines from your favorite designers for little ones up to 24 months. |
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