The Perfect Fit: Finding the Best Sitter for your Family

The first time leaving your child with a babysitter can be a difficult experience for both you and your child.  Several factors go into finding the sitter that best fits your family's needs and ensuring that it is a positive experience for everyone. 

Whether going through a babysitting agency or just using a friend's sitter, making sure the sitter is qualified will help ease your mind when you leave your child in their care.  First and foremost, you should feel comfortable when you talk to the sitter. If the first impression is not good, you most likely will not ever feel completely at ease leaving your children in that person's care. Talk to other families who have used the sitter to find out if they are happy with the level of care the sitter provided.  The sitter should be able to give you several quality references of families she has cared for in the past. Make sure the sitter has experience with other children in your child's age range.  Even though a sitter might be very comfortable with toddlers, this does not necessarily mean she has experience with infants.  Ask the sitter if she is CPR and First Aid certified for infants and children, so that if an emergency arises, she will have the knowledge to handle the situation.  Performing a background check (with the potential sitter's permission) can also help put your mind at ease. 

Once you have determined that the sitter is qualified, it is important to observe how the sitter and your child interact with each other.  Having the sitter spend time with your child while you are at home can let you see how they get along. You could have the sitter come over early while you are getting ready, or even have her visit the night before to walk her through your child's bedtime routine.  If your child has any special needs or medical concerns, be sure the sitter is aware of how to handle them.  Make sure the sitter also knows which toy is your child's favorite or where their comfort item is located to help calm them down if they become upset. 

If you are still having a difficult time leaving your child or if you think your child will have a hard time without you, start by just leaving for a short period of time.  Run a few errands or just have dinner out.  When everyone is comfortable, try a longer night out. 

Although the first time leaving your child in someone else's care can be difficult, it can be a rewarding and exciting experience. It is an important part of a child's development to separate temporarily from parents and later be reunited. Don't forget, it is healthy (and fun) for parents to have some time away from home, too.

This article was written by Adrienne Stephens, an owner of Rocket City Sitters. Find it in its entirety in Valley Babies Magazine, available at Babies R Us, A Nurturing Moment and local doctors' offices.  

Meet Kalyn! 

This issue's featured sitter is Kalyn Polatty, who has been with Rocket City Sitters since December 2009.  Kalyn first learned about RCS while taking a CPR class with other sitters.

One of the main reasons Kalyn became a sitter with RCS is because she really likes working with children and this company gives her an opportunity to do so.  Through RCS, she is regular afterschool sitter for a family in Madison, helping with snacks and overseeing homework. She is also frequently requested by other local families who want a fun and dependable sitter during their date nights and other weekend activities. 

Kalyn graduated from the University of Alabama where she studied infant, childhood and adolescent development, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Development.  In addition, she has experience as a preschool teacher and has babysat extensively for families with children of all ages. Currently, Kalyn is also the Nursery Coordinator at Grace United Methodist Church, teaches Zumba and, when the weather is warm, enjoys hiking at Monte Sano Mountain.

Time and again families are impressed with her. Sonia F., mother of two, tell us, "Kalyn is wonderful! She is punctual, respectful to my family and our home, very engaged with my two small children. She even had my children's toys picked up, and was alert when my husband and I got home at 10:30 pm. My oldest keeps asking when 'Her friend will be coming over to play again.' That was enough for me; I knew we had found someone great!"