IF YOU NEED A BABYSITTER:

Parents need to get out of the house once in a while. Whether it's a trip to the grocery store, an evening at the theatre, or a night at the movies, there is one thing that you can be certain of. You want the best and safest possible care available for your children in your absence.

There are certain elements of hiring someone to take care of your children that you are not willing to compromise on. They must have the following minimum traits:

- Experience
- Certain amount of maturity
- Cares about the welfare of your children
- Knows what to do in an emergency
- Is reliable

Check all references furnished to you and make sure to observe how the babysitter interacts with your children. It is a good idea to simply ask your children whether they trust the babysitter, like the baby sitter, and feel comfortable with this individual. Also, ask your child what kind of activities they engage in while they are with a babysitter.

FINDING A BABYSITTER:

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the best source of child care information are the recommendations of family members, friends and neighbors. you might also advertise for a babysitter through your local high school or college, newspaper, church or civic organization.

Should you be new to an area, it's a good idea to check the yellow pages or telephone book under "Sitting Services" for a comprehensive list of child care services. Some services advertise their sitters as "bonded." "Bonded", in this case, means that the babysitting service has purchased an insurance bond that will cover certain damages or losses of your personal property. A bond, unfortunately, will not likely protect your child. What is important is this: Has the babysitting service made a check of the criminal history of it's umployees? Have their employees been screened in any other way? Remember, you are putting your faith and trust in these people and their ability to choose a stable and suitable babysitter for your children.