Would this bug you? - Page 2

[NYCVeg]

I also wanted to add that whenever we've used a college sitter (and we've used many, as I said), we always called one or two references before hiring. I found other parents' opinions to be the most reliable predictor of how good the sitter would be. They were always great about answering specific questions--does the sitter clean up after herself/the child, how does she interact with the kids, etc. 

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by NYCVeg 

I also wanted to add that whenever we've used a college sitter (and we've used many, as I said), we always called one or two references before hiring. I found other parents' opinions to be the most reliable predictor of how good the sitter would be. They were always great about answering specific questions--does the sitter clean up after herself/the child, how does she interact with the kids, etc. 

Always a good idea.  I did actually call the two references she gave me and one didn't call me back...probably because she didn't have anything good to say I'm guessing now. The other said she was "wonderful!" and that she'd hire her back in a second.  Her kids are older though so I think she was using her more to cart the kids to different lessons, etc. including a teenager so I can see it being a different situation. 

[insidevoice]

I would definitely look for a Mother's helper- and home schooled kids can be fabulous for the sort of thing you are looking for.  They are usually pretty good at thinking outside the box and LOVE to talk (at least my own and those we are friends with.)  

My daughter is currently earning an extra little bit of money by taking on increased responsibility for an hour or two each day with her siblings. I'm home and supervising, but she gets to read books or play games to keep them busy (the stuff I'm too tired to do right now- getting up and down from the floor sounds like torture!)   When I give her space and freedom and tell her she is 'in charge' for a bit she really steps up and shines.  She thinks of great fun stuff that I don't.  It was rainy and miserable and the kids were all unhappy with being cooped up, she went out to the shed and found a big cardboard box.  She taped it all up to reinforce it and made a fort with them then helped them color it with markers.  It was about an hour of really fun play for them, and an hour of quiet while I sat nearby just watching for me. 

She later confessed that she really LOVES the extra responsibility because she gets to play with stuff she's 'too old for' .  

If I didn't have the big kid built in at home, that's absolutely what I would look for in someone to hire to keep a toddler busy. 

[mamazee]

I agree with those who say younger might be better in this case. You're home if there's an emergency or something, and younger babysitters really like playing with kids still. I'd go younger before going for a grad student.