Wanted: Babysitter for Babito
We’ve had some challenges here in Babitoland this week.
There was the earthquake, which I’ve spoken about already.
Another earthquake hit us personally on Monday. When my wife went to pick up Babito at his babysitter’s house, she gave us her two week’s notice. She’s going back into the working world. Babito has been going to this particular sitter for a little over a year, and he’s really comfortable and happy there. Now he’s going to have to adjust to a new sitter, with new kids, new rules, etc. I hope things go smoothly for him.
I also dread having to search for a new babysitter. We started our search tonight. We had an interview with a potential sitter at her house. The babysitting setup is fantastic. The entire downstairs is devoted solely to the kids. There are toys galore and Babito had a great time playing with them all while we sat down and chatted with the babysitter. She seems very devoted to the job (she’s been doing it for 16 years) and she says this is her calling and she plans on doing it until the day she dies. She seemed to make it through the gamut of questions my wife had for her.
Babito seemed abnormally comfortable with her. Typically he’s somewhat shy around people he doesn’t know, but he warmed up to her almost immediately. He actually cried when we were leaving. He wanted to stay! I’m hoping that’s a good sign.
We have another interview tomorrow night, but we’re already leaning heavily towards this first one. She has detailed plans laid out for the kids, she makes all of their meals from scratch, she works with them all and teaches them phonics, etc. She seems very organized. Plus, she also has a Parents Night Out once a month, where she watches the kids on a Friday evening at no additional charge. That’s a nice little bonus.
It’s always hard to trust yourself when making a big decision like this. The Babito will be spending a large amount of his waking hours with the person we select, so we have to be certain we go with someone that we (and Babito) feel comfortable with. My wife is going to dig into her background tomorrow.
I really hope we can get things worked out quickly….and we make a good decision.
Isn’t finding good childcare stressful?? Have you tried any online sitter services? I know it’s a scary thought, but I use Care.com and have had really great luck with them. Very easy to use website, overall quality of sitters is higher than average, and they do free background checks (I also check references and meet every candidate in person too). I think they’re still running a promotion– if you use the code CLUBMOM, you can get a discount on joining. In any case, best of luck to you!
Can’t give too much advice because mine are teenagers now. But, make sure whoever you chose that they are “licensed” to do it. They need to be in compliance.
good luck on the search.
BTW I’m a local as well and the earthquake makes for interesting conversations lately. Earthquake supplies, escape routes, contacting loved ones.
Mike
Good luck with the search. But…if all of her references, background check out good and your gut is saying yes…then give her a try. She sounds great.
Margot: Thanks for the information. If we don’t select one of the two we’re looking at now I’ll have to check that site out.
Mike: Yes, being licensed is a MUST for us. Thanks for the well wishes.
Jamie: Thanks. She seems great. Hopefully my wife was able to check her background today. Also, I definitely rely on my wife’s motherly instincts because they are scary accurate!