Summer Sitting

Here are some guidelines for hiring a teenage babysitter for the summer. 

• Be selective. Look for a babysitter within your circle of friends or community. Always check references.
• Match the sitter's age and experience with the job. Don't ask a sitter to do more than he or she can handle. Use young sitters, 11-year-olds, while you are home or run to the store. Hire 12- to-14-year-olds for sitting in the evening (once a week maximum). Hire older sitters, 15- to 16-year-olds, for extended care.
• Try to interview a sitter in your home. Check out appearance and work habits. Observe interactions when introducing your children. Go over house rules. Ask "what if" scenarios.
• Model good behavior-be home on time. Be respectful of the sitter's time-their own parents worry. Call if you're running late-15 minutes is an appropriate leeway.
• Prepare your sitter-allow time for orientation. Do a house tour. Give clear instructions.
• Encourage safety habits. Lock doors. Have an available adult neighbor identified. Post emergency numbers near the phone.
• Ask how things went. Tactfully correct any mistakes of sitter. Reinforce sitter discipline if necessary.