January '05 Peanut Gallery

We've been very fortunate with our babysitter situation up until this point. My cousin, who was in high school, was available most every time we needed her (which wasn't super often). Now she's in college and her parents have moved out of town. Her school is about 20 minutes away (could be 1 hour in traffic) and her schedule is picking up, so she's not really available to do it anymore. We always ask her first (because she needs the cash), but she's pretty busy nowadays.

We had another girl watch the girls once, and she did a great job, but now she's also at college not super close to here.

So....

Where do I find a decent sitter? Many of my friends with kids either a.) Don't ever go out or b.) Bring the kids wherever they go.

Is it just because I live in the city or do NO kids babysit these days? It's so strange. I remember being booked to sit all the time when I was in middle school and high school.

One of my friends recommended this site: www.sittercity.com - it's kind of like YELP for sitters, but in my area, nearly all of the profile photos for sitters are headshots (eyes rolling), and these seem like professional sitters (all adults), and they are asking for $10-18.00/hour. Well, If someone gives a range like that, you want to give them the higher end of the range because otherwise, are they going to be annoyed? And I'm sorry, but I will not pay $18.00 an hour. I wish I could, but I really can't. We usually do $10.00 plus a tip and gas money. And I think that's reasonable.

How did you find your sitter?

How much do you pay?

Got any advice for me?

You TIP your sitter?

Really?????

I don't feel comfortable with babysitting ads, you never know who is a psycho, so I look in my neighborhood for kids that live near by.

Yeah, tips! I was shocked, too but apparently that's what they expect nowadays. Who knew? I wish that rule was in effect back when I was babysitting.

Of course a neighborhood kid would be ideal, but I can't find any. And the ones I've asked are so involved in activities they don't babysit.

Ashley, you need a responsible kid in 8th or 9th grade - too young to have a better job, but old enough to have taken care of younger siblings or taken a babysitter's course. And then you'll have them for a few years if it works out.

Since we usually use kids we've taught, we know the kids already before we ask them. Teachers have a good idea of who's a responsible kid. So, ideally, you need to find out who teaches this age group in your area. You could even go so far as to call your nearest public school, and leave a message requesting a recommendation from one of the homeroom teachers, or ask them to pass your number along to a good kid. There are always a few good kids in every class, no matter what the school is like. :)

Even if the school secretary shuts you down, it's worth a shot!