Top 5 Babysitter Complaints

Before you head off on your well deserved date night or vacation, a must is hiring a friendly, fun, and qualified babysitter to watch your children. Many parents make this decision based off of factors like age of the sitter, the references other parents have given them, and the babysitters skill set. While many babysitters are heavily scrutinized to ensure happy, safe children, parents may also deserve some scrutiny. Believe it or not, some families do things that can make a babysitting experience less than pleasant for sitter and children. To make sure you are making a babysitters job easier, not harder, check out 5 things your babysitter dislikes and avoid common mistakes made by well-meaning parents.

  1. When you’re late and don’t give them notice. A babysitters time is just as important as yours, they may have plans for after work or homework to do. So don’t leave them hanging, send a text or phone them to let them know any changes in plan.
  2. When you don’t communicate house rules. When you tell the sitter house rules it makes it easier for them to keep your children safe, happy, and doing what you want them to do!
  3. When you treat them like a maid. Leaving a babysitter with unexpected chores (aside from cleaning up after themselves and the children) can take away from time with the kids and make it harder to keep an eye on them.
  4. Negotiating their salary last-minute. Minimize this problem by talking money before the babysitter comes to your house.
  5. When you don’t trust their abilities. Many sitters would rather not work for you if they feel like you constantly question their character or abilities. Avoid this by writing and reading professional reviews on your sitter to assure yourself they really are the one for your family!