“You’re right. Babysitting is dangerous.”
That line is lifted from the 1987 film
Adventures in Babysitting. Though my evenings as a babysitter aren’t usually filled with mobsters, hook-handed tow-truck drivers, kids hanging out of skyscraper windows, or subway gangs, it’s a tough job.
In the movies, babysitters do bad things. They’re usually looking for a make-out location or unlocked liquor cabinet more than a rousing game of Candyland (and are often the targets of crazed,
masked serial killers). If all you knew of babysitters came from movies, you wouldn’t have much confidence in anyone coming to your house. Luckily, life’s not like that.
In reality, babysitters like kids. Racing Hotwheels and playing dress-up is tons more fun than serving cranky customers at Starbucks. But it’s still tough work. So if you’re lucky enough to land a fantastic sitter (who does
more than watch TV and would never consider inviting over a boy), you’ll want to make sure she’s a happy employee.
The most obvious perk is money, but how you handle money with your sitter is often more important than the actual amount (as long as you’re reasonably on par with the going rate).
I know that paying for a sitter on top of a night out is expensive, but from the sitter’s perspective it’s her job. Little things like agreeing on a minimum payment for an evening if you’re only going out for a short time, paying for a full hour even when you come home on the half, and having the correct change (and if you don’t, not asking your sitter to put the extra towards next time) make a difference.
But money isn’t everything. Non-monetary perks are great too.
One of my favourite long-time clients often asks me to babysit on weeknights. Since I work full-time and go to her house directly from my job, she offers to leave me dinner. I’d manage without, but it makes my life easier.
Some clients offer me a ride home or pay for a taxi (depending on your location, this might be essential); others leave snacks in the kitchen or movies on the counter. (If your sitter stays with your kids while you’re off in Paris, bringing her chocolate and wine is a nice touch too. But I digress…) None of it’s necessary. All of it’s appreciated.
Treat your sitter like you know her worth and make her feel welcome in your home. Like any job, perks are great but who you work for makes all the difference.
Lizz Bryce considers herself a retired babysitter but still makes occasional house-calls for her best clients, and loves invites to kiddos’ birthday parties (because they have the best cake). She blogs at www.lizzbryce.com and befriends strangers on Twitter as @opinionatedlizz