Seeking Advise on Hiring a Young Adult to Take Care of My Babies

Hi D., If you wsnt a home based business, you can start your own daycare, that's what i did 12 years ago. Also I have a 4 month old in my daycare and she gets a lot of one on one care. You have to realize as well if some other woman is taking your place during the day with that one on one care, especially in your home, that's who your baby will be bonding with with, and it will be several hours a day more than you will be bonding with your baby. J. L. PS I tried the Tupper Wear, the Avon, The Home In tereiors, Herbalife, but this is the one thing that works that i have tried, because you know how much you need to make, so you set your price, when my daycare is full I make 720.00 a week and 1,880.00 a month, I didn't make this kind of money doeing those other things. J. L.

Honestly, with all the recent news coverage of crazy people and their craigslist ads, I don't think I'd use that avenue to find a sitter for my kids.

I think the best solution is to talk to friends and try to find someone that way. If that's not a possibility, sometimes daycares will recommend a sitter/nanny, or you could go through your/a church.

I agree that I'd rather have my kids at home than in a daycare setting, but I also know how difficult it is to find someone that you trust to take care of your children (I have yet to find someone - thank goodness my parents live nearby when I need them!) At any rate, I wish you luck!

That is a tough decision to make. As a new mom myself, I'm not sure how people do it. However, through college I was a nanny for 2 amazing families, one with whom I lived with. Both families found me through agencies. The agency does all background and reference checks and finds suitable nannies that work with the family dynamics. And I agree with the other suggestions of going with your gut, and seeing how this person interacts with your kids. But I felt good about going through agencies, and I think both families that I worked for would agree. I loved being a nanny and the kids are all a big part of my life even after 12 years. Good luck.

Hi D.:
The first thing A mother needs to come to grips with in her quest for help is that shes not going to find a childcare provider who will care for her babies,like she does.I don't care if they were a nanny for Princess Diane.There is absolutely no substitute for A Mothers nurturing.When we are left with no options and must work outside the home,then we have to think logically and responsibly to insure our children are safe,secure,and cared for properly.Unfortunately,we must rely a great deal on our intuition and judge of character. We want an individual who displays A capable,trustworthy,demeanor and one who's capable of providing patience and compassion,toward our little ones,in our absence.Sadly, This is not an easy task.It's a fact,that as human beings,we always are on our (best behavior) when we first introduce ourselves,or are trying to impress someone.You almost have to have a real knack for reading people. You cannot trust,that everything written on ones resume is factual. Its up to you to check out her past record.Make calls and inquire about her from those who employed her. Don't assume,because she has a license,that shes good at what she does.I answered an AD for a Christian,licensed day care provider,and was horrified when I picked up my two year old,sobbing,telling me that the woman's punishment for taking a toy from her son,was holding his head in a bathtub full of water!! Frankly D.,if I were you,I'd feel a lot more secure in leaving my baby in a daycare,with more than one provider.They have their peers watching,and there's less apt to be any mistreatment,or neglect of your child.If she has her older sister there with her,it would make an easier adjustment.I wish you the very best in your search. J. M

get a background check done. also call her references and ask detailed questions like- have your children ever gotten hurt in her care and needed medical attention?, why did she stop watching your children, how would you rate her responcibility in handeling your children, would you ask her to watch your children again?, has she every been hungover while watching your children?, how old were your children when she cared for them? how much did you pay? things like that..
what i did when i watched a friends twin boys what because she was low income she went through cal works and by doing that i was required to get a full background check and finger prints done. so now im approved by trustline through the state of california to watch children through this program. also you will have time sheets she is to fill out stating what times she had what child and she would take them to the welfare office in your county. doing this the state pays the person like 3-4 bucks an hour to take care of your kids and you pay the rest. soo if you day ill pay you 6 bucks an hour per child then the state pays their part and you pay whats left.
maybe check out the cal works site if you live in california and see if you qualify for it because it helps out. good luck :)

I would say go with your gut. Listen to that little voice in side if something doesn't seem right it probally isn't. I do child care I have been fingerprinted and always give refrences. Ask for refrences and actually call them. Have her spend some time with the kids while your around. Then drop in unannounced on several different times to see what's going on. People are either good with kids or not it should come naturally to her. Good luck

No matter who you hire to watch/care for your kids and no matter where you found this person... you HAVE to background check them... AND check a "resume" AND check ANY references they have.

Until then, the person IS a "stranger." AND they will be in your home, with your kids.... it can be very un-wise, or wise if you've covered your bases in checking the person out.

i am a young mom 24 of three boys 3 yrs 21 mo and 3 mo. i found a wonderful little boy to watch in my home during the week and i am grateful for the opportunity to watch him. i found his family through craigslist and it has been a great experience. i even feel it has made me a better parent to my children because with another persons son here i cant let my kids watch extra TV or eat things i wouldn't want someone else feeding my boys. i think it is great although i would put together a list of questions and meet with her in person and see how she interacts with the kids.