Tell me how you found your sitter

[redhorizon343]

We are planning an evening out for DH's birthday (end of March), but my in-laws, the only family we have around, will be out of town and cannot sit for us.

We've never left LO alone with anyone other than family. I have a lead on a nanny that I met at a play date who is available evenings and weekends.  She seemed really nice and clearly had a strong, kind relationship with the little girl she was nannying. Both the family she works for, and the host of the play date had very good things to say about her.

When I speak with her, what questions do I ask her? Do I suggest the pay, or is it assumed that she has a rate? I'm a FTM, but I don't want to come off as some sort of idiot.

TIA, ladies!

[shevacc]

Word of mouth is my preferred way to find a sitter. Then when we have one we like we try to treat her really well so she'll keep coming back. It's perfectly reasonable to ask their rate, but be prepared that some (especially young) sitters may be uncomfortable with the question. Or may lowball and I don't like feeling like I'm taking advantage. Another option is asking a few mom friends what's the going rate in your area.

[sjshark]

I'm an alumna advisor to my sorority and one of the girls I advise is super good with kids and I know how responsible she is so we hired her to come once a week to help DH out. So far things have been great!

Eta: I offered a rate and asked if she was comfortable with it and she said yes so hoping that she really is lol.

[Deleted]

Mine is a coworker who has young nieces and nephews and has been TTGP for a few years. She loves babies and is awesome with DS. She does it for free. Although I usually buy her a present.

[bobloblaw]

If family is not available, we ask one of the ladies at our DC. I knew that other families use this one in particular because she's incredible with kids.

I asked what her going rate was since she's a regular sitter for other families. Obviously we discussed if there was an emergency, call 911 and then call me. We discussed feeding/bedtime/schedule/bathing. So I told her his last feeding time, when he might be hungry again, his usual bedtime, and told her not to worry about bathing. All I was really concerned about was that someone LO and I were both comfortable with was with him.

[navyblues2114]

I haven't had to use anyone but family yet but one of the teachers from DD's preschool babysits and is amazing with our daughter so I have a backup if needed.

[mandapanda1382]

We've only used family, but I've found some sitters through church. I actually found some good babysitter questions and resources on Pinterest.

[yogini kiki]

I would assume she has a rate if she already babysits, but it is appropriate to aks "do you have an established rate?"

We use nursing students from the local university when family is not available...so far we have had great luck!

[briarrose]

I have not had to do this yet, but I know a girl who uses it to advertise that she babysits, care.com. Maybe some of the people on there in your area will list their rate and you can get an idea that way.

[mrsnorris]

Feb 7, 2015 23:19:18 GMT -5 briarrose said:

I have not had to do this yet, but I know a girl who uses it to advertise that she babysits, care.com. Maybe some of the people on there in your area will list their rate and you can get an idea that way.

We haven't done this yet with LO but we used care.com with DD1 and had good experiences.

[redhorizon343]

Feb 8, 2015 2:34:41 GMT -5 mrsnorris said:

Feb 7, 2015 23:19:18 GMT -5 briarrose said:

I have not had to do this yet, but I know a girl who uses it to advertise that she babysits, care.com. Maybe some of the people on there in your area will list their rate and you can get an idea that way.

We haven't done this yet with LO but we used care.com with DD1 and had good experiences.

I spoke with a couple of people who used care.com here and they were really overwhelmed. They would get like 40 responses. They both liked who they ended up with, but hadn't used them long enough to feel comfortable recommending them.

[navyblues2114]

Check pace university. They may have a link on the website to post jobs.

[kimberlyb]

Do your neighbors have any kids? I got recommendations from our neighbors and also use kids that live in our neighborhood.

[Chrisse]

We found our sitter through pure dumb luck. She is the older sister of a little girl DH's niece dances with, who had just finished sitting for another family. The only reason she stopped sitting for that family is that both kids went into school full-time. My SIL knows her fairly well from the dance studio.

If we hadn't stumbled upon her, we would have been up the creek without a paddle.