Capable Caregivers
Sitters who can handle unexpected situations rate high with parents.

By: Dan Rafter    

No baby sitter likes surprises.  But that was just what Indianapolis resident Ryan Wolfe got when the doorbell rang during one of his sitting jobs.  The man standing on the front porch asked if he could come inside.  He said he was supposed to pick up some documents relating to the homeowner.
     Fortunately, he knew what to do.  He told the man to wait outside, and never unlocked the front door.  He then called the couple fro who he was sitting.  This cleared everything up.  The man was indeed who he said he was;  The couple had just forgotten to tell Ryan that he would be stopping by.
     For one thing, parents should choose a baby sitter they already know, if possible.  This way, parents can make sure they hire a sitter who not only like children, but who will also enforce rules about bedtime, late-night sancks or television viewing.		 Rules for parents
     When hiring a sitter, parents should follow certain rules:
  • Try to hire a sitter you already know to be reliable.
  • When hiring a new sitter, ask for references.  Then check them.
  • Keep the ages of your children in mind when hiring a sitter.  Don't hire a young, inexperienced sitter to care for an infant.
  • Provide the sitter with the number of a close neighbor in case an emergency comes up.
  • Give the sitter a number where you can be reached.
  • Arrive home on time.  And never leave your movie, restaurant or party to go to another destination without first calling your sitter.

Excerpt from The Indianapolis Star article  Capable Caregivers on Monday, January 27, 2003