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The Babysitter Next Door
Choosing a Responsible Tween or Teen Sitter for Your Baby or Toddler
By Kelly Burgess
Having said that, Currin notes that it depends upon the child; there are 11- and 12-year-olds who are very focused and responsible and older teens who are not. Also, older teens are often extremely busy with school, extracurricular activities and "real" jobs. Many parents are forced to hire younger sitters simply because that's who is available.
If there is a younger girl on your block or of your acquaintance who is eager to babysit but you're not sure of her ability, encourage her to take a babysitting course, which can give you peace of mind. The courses cover practical baby and childcare, including a focus on developmental stages, as well as CPR and first aid.
Masson says she would never hire a tween to babysit Harper, 2, and Cole, 4, but would definitely use one as a mother's helper while she worked from home. She's also used older teens for babysitting, but they were girls she knew from her job as a teacher; she also knew their families.
When you don't know the girl very well, do interviews, Currin says. Don't make your first meeting – and your child's or baby's first meeting – with the sitter be on the night you leave her with your kids. Currin suggests gtting to know the potential babysitter with these techniques:
