Stop. Look. Listen. These three verbs are not just for pedestrians. Parents and guardians should also apply them each time they’re in search of a babysitter.
Stop, look, and listen are the three prudent ways for you to hire the right babysitter. Now, that doesn’t mean you should stop applying the three simple verbs once you have hired a babysitter. You just can’t do that because you need to make sure your kids are safe at all times.
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6. The Babysitter Is A Know-It-All
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There are times when you think you have found the perfect babysitter. She seems to be very experienced and eager to work for you. Unfortunately along the way, you notice that she seems to be a know-it-all.
She seems to be contradicting everything you say. For some strange reasons, you just can’t seem to handle her confidence level.
Even if she is an experienced babysitter, she has no right to impose her presence and contest your parenting skills. Hence, you shouldn’t get intimidated with her years of experience.
Even if she is an experienced babysitter, she has no right to impose her presence and contest your parenting skills. Hence, you shouldn’t get intimidated with her years of experience.
You always need to keep in mind that you are the employer and she is your employee. Hence, it’s a must to maintain an employer-employee relationship. You word is the last word.
You are the parent so you know what’s best for your kids. So be very careful. If the babysitter seems to act like she knows it all, take it as a scary sign.
5. The Babysitter Is Always Late
Once is okay. Twice is forgivable but being late for the third time is already unacceptable. It’s pretty simple. If the babysitter can’t seem to show up on time, then it’s a scary sign that you hired the wrong one.
4. The Babysitter Spends Too Much Time On Her Phone
The babysitter should focus more on your kids and not on her phone. Again, that’s common sense. Nonetheless, it really wouldn’t hurt to remind the babysitter to pay close attention to your kids and not to her smart phone.
If the babysitter is still spending too much time on her phone, then it’s time to show her the door.
3. The Babysitter Disobeys Your Rules
You have laid down the rules and regulations for the sole reason of compliance. Simply said, the babysitter should be able to follow whatever rules and regulations you have established.
You expect the babysitter to follow the rules and regulations, right? So if she isn’t doing so, then you should take some time to stop and assess the situation.
You expect the babysitter to follow the rules and regulations, right? So if she isn’t doing so, then you should take some time to stop and assess the situation. Related read: How to find affordable sitters
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Why is she not following the rules and regulations? Find out what why it’s so hard for her to follow rules.
Talk to her and let her know that you are aware of the violations. If she goes on doing the same thing over and over again, then it’s a sure sign that you have to look for another babysitter.
2. The Babysitter Isn’t Transparent
Transparency matters a lot. You need a babysitter who is transparent. If she isn’t, then that’s a scary sign as well.
The babysitter should be able to give you a full-blown report at the end of the day. She has no right to conceal anything from you. If she conceals something that had happened during the day, then be careful. She maybe keeping something more than that.
You should never be too tired to get with the babysitter at the end of the day. If you want the babysitter to be transparent, ask questions. Make sure her stories add up and she’s consistent with what she says.
This is a good way for you to show how vigilant you are when it comes to the safety of your kids.
1. Your Child Dislikes The Babysitter
It really is a dead giveaway. A child who dislikes the babysitter is a scary sign. You simply cannot ignore that.
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Little kids most of the time don’t lie. If they see something, it’s black or white. It’s good or bad. They say it as it is. What they have to say matters a lot. You have to listen to them at all times.
Little kids most of the time don’t lie. If they see something, it’s black or white. It’s good or bad. They say it as it is. What they have to say matters a lot. You have to listen to them at all times.
The problem is, some parents just take the easy way out. They turn a blind eye to what’s really happening. They’re too scared to have to get rid of the babysitter. If they have to do that, they have to start all over again. That brings them back to square one.
Getting rid of the babysitter takes a lot of work, more so looking for another one. Unfortunately, abusive babysitters are aware of that. They take advantage of the fact some parents don’t even have enough time to check on their kids. That’s a sad fact.
You always need to touch base with your kids. Ask them about the babysitter and listen to them. If they don’t like the babysitter, then start thinking about what to do next.
You always need to stop, to look, and to listen. This way you can assess the babysitter well. You will know if the babysitter is, indeed, the right one. So be on the lookout for the 7 scary signs of a bad babysitter.
Some of these scary signs are hard to see. In some extreme cases, they are well concealed.
So as a parent, you really need to stop, to look, and to listen each time your kids are under the care of a babysitter. That way, you can always watch out for the 6 scary signs of a bad babysitter.
A nerd at heart (haha), I have been following and analyzing the world of online sitters for a couple of years now and have seen a lot of innovations and changes in this market. In between taking care of my loving (and demanding 😜) family and writing, I also do a lot of “traveling” on the Travel Channel and Discovery Channel. Read More
Those signs are very scary. I wouldn’t want to have a sitter who is a know it all nor would I want one who spends a lot of time on her phone. I’m pretty upfront with my house rules. She either takes it or leaves it. If she leaves, I can easily hire another one.
Nice one! You said it pretty well! Some parents just turn a blind eye to the scary signs. I know it’s easier said than done but as a parent, it’s a must to always keep an eye on the sitter. It’s not because she isn’t trustworthy or anything; it’s just that it’s our job to make sure the sitter is doing her job well. For the safety of our kids, we need to know what’s going on at all times.