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Ask A Los Angeles Expert: How To Find The Perfect Babysitter

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(credit: Shutterstock)

Choosing a good babysitter is a major part of the decision-making process that parents make during their children's nurturing years. When it comes to a mom or dad on the go, it is especially important to know what to look for in a babysitter. Parents work and study best when they know that their children are in good hands with a responsible babysitter. A good babysitter has special qualities and personal characteristics that create a comfort zone for both the children and the parents. L.A. based entrepreneur and mother of three Kelly Alexander shares her expertise in babysitting and her power mom checklist on what to look for in finding that perfect babysitter.
 
Kelly Alexander
Power Mom and Entrepreneur
Kelly Anne Products
www.bykah.com

babysitter
(credit: shutterstock)

Tip 1: The Babysitter's Personality

When selecting a babysitter for your child, the personality of the sitter is more important than the resume. A friendly and sincere personality goes a long way with a child. The ability of the sitter to connect with the child is reflected in the babysitter's attitude toward children and how they relate to them. A child should feel comfortable with the sitter, and that comfort is established through the individual's kindness, patience and respect for them as children in their daily activities.
 
Tip 2: Paying Attention

A child needs to know that a sitter is sincerely interested in what they do as children. A good babysitter shows consistency in paying attention to the child's activities during their stay with them. If a child is playing with crayons and a coloring book, it is good for the sitter to share their enthusiasm about the work that they are doing and even join in to give the child ideas on how to add to their art work. Children need to know that a babysitter is actively involved in the games they play or work they do which creates a nice bond and atmosphere for them to continue to grow and develop.
 
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Tip 3: Good Skills in Communications

A baby sitter who understands how to connect with a child in simple conversation can go a long way with a child's trust factor. A sitter who talks to the child will have more success than one who talks "at" a child. When a child asks a question, the child wants attention and wants to be heard. It is important for a good sitter to connect through listening so that they can best act or react to meet the child's needs in any given moment. Good communication skills with the child and the parents are important to establish a good rapport with a family as a babysitter.
 
Tip 4: Consistency with Parent's Goals

When the babysitter arrives, a child needs to know that the parent's rules are still in place. A babysitter should reinforce the guidelines and rules of the child's parents when it comes to the expectations of the child's good behavior. A friendly reminder of the rules is sometimes a plus in establishing the ground rules when parents are away. The child benefits from experiencing the reinforcement of parental guidance through the sitter expressing the same rules and guidelines.
 
Tip 5: Being on Time

When a parent is waiting on the arrival of a babysitter, it is important that the sitter shows up on time. Being on time for work shows respect for the family and is one of the most important aspects of a good babysitter. A parent needs to know that the sitter is responsible with time management, which is seen through showing up on the job a few minutes early or right on time.

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Belinda Ware is a Hollywood Insider news journalist who finds herself in the right place at the right time covering celebrity news, pop culture, opinion pieces and general breaking news stories on the latest trends in popular news. Her hobbies include golf, chess and world travel. Read more on Examiner.com.
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