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Sitting Safely
BY KATHY JOHNSON
Copyright 1999 by Parents' Press
A babysitter needs to take
care of her own safety first
So you are baby-sitting, or thinking about it. If I mention
sitter safety, do you assume I'm talking about keeping the children
safe? In three years of teaching baby-sitting classes, I've found
most teens make that assumption.
But a sitter needs to take care of his or her own safety first.
Think about these important safety topics:
Limit personal information
in flyers or notices.
Most people who read your flyer will be normal, nice people.
But you shouldn't make it easy for a stranger to find out your
age or where you live
or go to school. You can give details to legitimate customers
after checking them out. With the sitter shortage, you may find
enough jobs simply by letting friends, neighbors, and teachers
know that you are available.
Screen prospective customers.
Don't bother interviewing for a job that won't fit your schedule,
abilities, or pay requirements. Ask prospective customers if
they have used a sitter before and why they are changing sitters.
Find out how many children there are and how long the parents
plan to be gone. Some people say "sitter" but want
full-time day care.
Never go alone to a stranger's
house.
If you don't know the people you plan to sit for, bring a trusted
adult (parent, guardian, adult friend, etc.) along for the interview.
You handle questions and answers since you will be doing the
job. The adult is there for emotional support and safety.
Pay attention to gut feelings.
If you feel uneasy or fearful about a person or situation, turn
down the job. Another job will come along.
Don't try to watch too
many children at once.
There are limits to how many children one sitter can safely care
for. A new sitter should start with one child or even as
a mother's helper. A more experienced sitter may handle two or
three children of similar age. It takes a very experienced sitter
to handle a mixed-age group of children or more than three children
at once.
Even a very experienced older teen sitter should not try to care for more than six related children or four unrelated children by herself. Related children often share house rules, which can be easier for a sitter.
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