Whether you are single parent or married couple, finding a good teenage babysitter is going to be on your calendar at some point. Many teenagers have a special way with children, being practically one themselves and able to relate to a younger audience. However, the most important aspect is not the cheap hourly rate and a pepperoni pizza. A responsible parent needs to do some homework before letting a teenager take charge of their child.
1. References
Some teenagers have created a nice little living for themselves with regular babysitting work, and therefore, have built up a resume of satisfied clients in the neighborhood. When you interview a teenager to sit with your child, ask her for at least two references and follow through with the phone calls. You want to know if she invited friends to the house, showed up on time, lost her temper with the children or stepped out and left the child unattended. You demand responsibility and accountability and must not settle for anything less.
2. A Good Student Matters
If your babysitter shirks her responsibilities at school, she will likely let you down with accountability with your child. Although you need not see a copy of her high school transcripts, you need to know that she is mature enough to handle adult situations, beginning with her choices about her education. No truants, no foul mouthed bullies and no erratic behavior should be evident at the time of your first babysitting interview. In addition, her clothing is a telling sign if she takes life seriously in modest attire or runs about town with “party till you puke” on her T-shirt.
3. Set Boundaries
Your teenage babysitter may have plenty of experience, however, she is new to your child and household. Be sure to set boundaries that she understands for her behavior and what is acceptable for your child. Define your child’s food and snack privileges, bed time, appropriate television channels, and whether or not she is authorized to give your child a bath. The teenage babysitter will try to do her best, however, she is required to uphold law and order in your household and should obey your every rule.
4. Contact Information
Dire emergencies rarely occur when leaving your child with a teenage babysitter. However, to give her and yourself peace of mind, she needs all the contact information easy access at a glance. On a large sheet of paper, write out where you are going, when you are returning, your cell number, the restaurant number and any friends or family to call if she cannot get a hold of you. Tape the page to the telephone and let her know all the emergency bases are covered.
5. No Boyfriends
You must make clear that no strangers are permitted inside your home once you shut the front door and set the alarm. Young males can spell trouble when it comes to bending the house rules and he is not a good influence to have around young children. Her amorous relationships would not follow her to a traditional job in an office and have no place in your home either. Ask her to refrain from personal telephone calls and keep her boyfriends at bay.