I was wondering how anyone here goes about finding a babysitter? I mean the ones that you would need for maybe a could of hours in the evening or maybe the weekend during the day? I've found a teenager through the youth group in my church from a recommendation from the Pastor. She's worked out well.

I was a babysitter and the Red Cross was offering a course back then that included basic first aid and water safety. I also had the option to take a sign language course. I decided not to.

They don't offer that now. I think that because I had the certificate it gave me a leg up on the jobs that I got.

MuseMom

I was wondering how anyone here goes about finding a babysitter? I mean the ones that you would need for maybe a could of hours in the evening or maybe the weekend during the day? I've found a teenager through the youth group in my church from a recommendation from the Pastor. She's worked out well.

I was a babysitter and the Red Cross was offering a course back then that included basic first aid and water safety. I also had the option to take a sign language course. I decided not to.

They don't offer that now. I think that because I had the certificate it gave me a leg up on the jobs that I got.

MuseMom

MuseMom, I think the church was a good place to find a babysitter. I never thought of that. You might want to try the high schools in your area. The Counselor's office would know who they have as responsible students. Maybe the YMCA's also?

DCMerkle

I use a girl in my neighborhood. I know her parents so it works out pretty well

Just a word of advice... be careful who you trust with your children. Don't leave at X o'clock and come home at Y o'clock exactly as you tell your sitter. Conveniently forget your cell phone or something... have a reason to return home a half hour or so after you leave. Leave your party an hour or so earlier than expected and go home (without telling the sitter you're on your way). Arrange with a friend or family member to "drop by" while you're gone. And... if you can't swing it, a nanny cam wouldn't be unreasonable. Sometimes even people you're absolutely certain you can trust are not what they seem.

I was always afraid to ask anyone else other than my sister or mother to watch the children. There were a lot of teens in my neighborhood, but I could tell what house on the block was having the party.

seeker

Lily is right, even when you think you can trust someone, sometimes you can't. There was someone in our family that everyone thought was just a wonderful person, it turned out he was a child molester. He never got caught. The child he molested (that we know of) was his niece's daughter, and she never said a word until she was an adult. By then, he was old and frail and nobody did anything. Make sure when you're teaching your children to "do as you're told", you let them know it doesn't include that. Have a long talk with your kids, and spy on your babysitters.

I babysit for my mom quite often. She pays me a little bit, not as much as for other babysitters. She trusts me a lot.

I went from having a baby sitter to having to put him in child care and it was a long and grueling process trying to find one that I trusted with my child and that he liked going to .

I went from having a baby sitter to having to put him in child care and it was a long and grueling process trying to find one that I trusted with my child and that he liked going to .

How did you finally end up choosing a daycare? Did a friend recommend one or did you just start checking out places on your own?

Our parents will be our babysetters when we need them. My husband and I have great parents that can be trusted.