Tips to Hire a Babysitter

There is usually a problem when both you parents need to go to work and you have a growing child at home. You have no choice then but to hire the babysitter if you do not have your parents or other relatives at hand. It produces results to prepare your babysitter well in advance to take care of your child, crucially when your child falls ill. Find out if she is conversant with first-aid and other emergency tackling procedures. Here are a few more tips on how to go about it ...

* Tell her that she may also be caring for a sick child. Describe your child's condition of illness when it happens and any line of treatment the sitter will have to follow while you are away. Check if the sitter feels confident to take on this added duty.

* When the babysitter enters your home for the first time, guide her to the placement of the different medications, first-aid supplies and any other item that you think is important. Leave with her the keys to the cupboard or chest of drawers where all these are usually kept.

* Jot down clearly the name and telephone number of the place where you will be, your doctor's phone numbers and the time you she can expect you to return home. A cyclostyled sheet would be better.

* Ask if the babysitter knows and rescue breathing.

* Write down clearly the diet charts. Give her a complete list of food and other items that your child can eat while you are away. Also about what she should not eat and drink. Prepare her about giving the medications. Be careful about the dosage and the timing of those medications. Ask her to enter the charts as to what was given while you were absent.

* Ask her to keep you posted by phone about any particular developments in your child's condition you want to know, both to you first and then to the doctor.

* Warn her about not to shake the body of your child. This can cause serious damage to your child.

* Warn her about never to take the child out while you are away unless you allow her.

* Give the babysitter a schedule of the television programs you would allow your child to watch.

* Do not forget to call home often while you are away. You will ease your concerns and relieve the pressure of the babysitter's mind.