World is revolving around competition; one is to compete with others and other one is to compete with self…. For working women, we are ought to add one more, i.e. competing with the world and own-self together to give the best life to your dear kids …

To give the best support to their kids, few working parents take their Parent (in-laws)’s support, few depend on Crèche or Day-care and some people still want their kid to be at home in the familiar atmosphere… so they choose to hire a Baby sitter..

Selection Criteria:

• Unlike olden days, they are so many agencies, which are offering babysitting services. When you hire through these agencies, early level interviews, past experience and referral checks could be done by the agency so that you are relieved from these exercises .

• Also can hire through the known resources like your current maids, drivers, or co- parents.

• If your child is going to a day care centre, you may seek help from them to work for you during the evenings or can ask them to refer a right person.

• In any of the above cases, try to have your own referral check done at the final stage, so that you need not blame anybody else for the choice you made.

Work Rules:

• Once you complete the selection process and hire a baby sitter for your child, have a detailed talk with them about child’s food habits, health condition etc…

• Ask the person to come for a mock session for 2 days; ensure that you are present during that time and observe her behaviour with child.

• Give her freedom to make friends with people around and the child the most.

• If there are any restrictions on watching TV, working on computer and other gadgets, discuss with her well in advance and try to be strict on such issues.

Babycare :

• If your child is allergic to any food items, please inform your baby sitter about that. If your child is having any health issues, you should discuss with the baby sitter in detail.

• Also introduce your family doctor, so that they can approach them in case of emergency.

• Kindly make your First Aid kit available to your baby sitter. Also tell her not to give any medicine to the kid without specific instructions.

• Not to leave the child alone near water, wash rooms etc.

• Feeding instructions need to be given; no hard food like nuts and hard candies to kids below 3 years.

Little more extra:

• Having taken all the care, still you need to review her performance once in 3 months.

• Also take regular feedback from neighbours and other friends who meet / see her often

• Pay some surprise home visits to get to understand the situation at home and the child in the nearby parks and play grounds. care.

Above all, have faith that your baby is in safe hands. Also trust your baby sitter and believe in her/ his capability. This feeling can bring the best in the other person and can help you to be in peace.

- BHAVANA