Byline: Lewis Taylor The Register-Guard
Baby-sitting is no longer a simple matter of calling the first gum-snapping teenage girl you can find. Many parents are now seeking sitters who can offer rsums and references. They want sit-down interviews and proof that their sitter has been certified by the Red Cross.
"Things are so different than they were. It (used to be) a lot more laid back," says Gina Moore, 33, a Eugene mother of two whose daughter, Ariah, is in training to become a baby sitter.
"It's really kind of a business for these kids. They have rsums, they have all these tools and things we didn't necessarily (have)."
Moore, a former baby sitter herself, says it's good that teenagers are being held to a higher standard, even if it's a standard she didn't have to meet.
"Today, kids are learning working skills they're going to use their whole lives," she says. "I was 10 when I started baby-sitting, which I think was a little illegal, but it worked out OK."
Oregon law is a bit vague on when it's OK to begin baby-sitting, says Marianne Ansart, health and safety director for the Oregon Pacific Chapter of the Red Cross.
In general, baby sitters looking out for children outside their own family should be at least 11 years old. More important, she says, is that parents hire someone they can trust.
"The main thing to take into account is, `Are they mature and responsible enough at 11 to be baby-sitting?'?" she explained. "You may find a 15-year-old who's not (ready) to be baby-sitting."
Ansart oversees the Red Cross' popular baby-sitting class. She says parents in search of a sitter can start by asking potential candidates whether they have taken the one-day course, which is offered at community centers throughout the area several times a month.
"You want to look for a sitter (who) would get along with children and enjoy children," she says. "Someone who has shown that they are responsible and would know what to do in an emergency."
Ansart says it's not a bad idea for parents to present a potential baby sitter with a "what-if" scenario. You can ask a sitter how he or she would respond if the house caught fire or if the baby started choking.
As one safety specialist puts it: Don't ask yourself whether this person is responsible under normal circumstances. Ask yourself how they will respond to a life or death situation.
When interviewing a baby sitter, experts recommend keeping it informal and asking open-ended questions. You can inquire about other baby-sitting jobs a sitter has had and ask about interests, hobbies, family and school.
If you include your own children in the interview process, you'll have a better idea of how the baby sitter will interact with them.
Another good place to start is to invite a baby-sitting candidate over for a trial run. You can ask a sitter to come over for a couple of hours of work while you're still home. Use the time to do some chores around the house.
In these cautious times, the best way to find a sitter is often through word of mouth.
There are also several Web sites, such as BabySitters.com and SitterCity.com, which offer profiles of sitters (often for a monthly charge).
For safety reasons, students who go through the Red Cross baby-sitting class are advised against putting up fliers or advertising on the Internet.
Ansart says networking is a better option, and the best advertising a baby sitter can do is to provide great service.
"If you're a great sitter," she says, "usually everybody finds that out."
Moore, the mother of two, suggests parents seeking a baby sitter should not take the decision lightly. She recommends trusting your gut and choosing someone who puts your mind at ease. "My kids are my prized possessions," she says. "I always looked for somebody that I knew very well and trusted."
Once parents have found the perfect baby sitter, there are some things they can do to hang onto him or her.
Ansart says good communication is key to a lasting relationship. Make it clear what you expect of your sitters, and don't assume they will do something if you don't ask.
Do you expect your sitter to cook? Will he or she be bathing your children?
Safety experts advise against either, but if you want your sitter to provide a service, explain to them exactly how you want it done.
Also, Ansart says, be nice to your sitter. "They're teens, and it's always great if there are some snacks."
Experts recommend that parents create a comprehensive baby-sitting checklist that includes everything from the name and contact information of a friendly neighbor to the full names and ages of children. You can find a sample checklist at: www.babysitters?.com/newsitterchecklist.aspx.
If a new sitter has never visited your home, it's a good idea to ask them to arrive 15 minutes early to give them a tour. You can point out phones, first aid kits and alternate exits.
Experts say baby sitters should be advised, when answering the phone, to avoid revealing that they are home alone. Instead, they should inform callers that the person in question "is not available" and offer to take a message.
If you haven't done a trial run, it's a good idea to check in with a new sitter during their first job. Call an hour or so after you've left the house to put your mind at ease and answer any questions.
Compensation for baby sitters varies widely and can range anywhere from $3 to $15 per hour, depending on how many kids are involved, what's expected, the age and experience of the sitter and what part of town you're in.
A survey of 11-year-old girls at a Eugene Red Cross baby-sitting class showed $5 an hour to be the going rate. Some sitters ask for a flat rate. Others charge by the child. To avoid uncomfortable situations, experts say, work out the details ahead of time.
If you're wondering what goes on when you're not at home, or if you suspect a baby sitter may not be doing what they say they're doing, it's fair to come home a little early to check on them.
Students in the Red Cross's baby-sitting class are taught to keep a log or journal of what happened during their shift to help better inform the parents.
And you know you've found the right sitter, Ansart says, if your children are asking, "When can the baby sitter come back?"
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