by Heather Horn

Created on: January 23, 2009   Last Updated: March 22, 2009

It is a parent's responsibility to make sure that their child has the care and nurturing that they require at all times. It is impossible to ensure your child's comfort and safety if you are leaving them with a stranger, so make sure to meet with a sitter before using them. Here are some top reasons for meeting your sitter:

1. People lie. You can't be sure about the sitter's qualifications just because of a glowing resume and self-description. Meet with your sitter in person allows you to get a feel for his or her personality and to see if you feel comfortable around him or her. Also make sure to check references to make sure that the sitter has performed responsibly in the past.

2. It's good for your kids. If your kids know that you know and trust the sitter, they'll be more comfortable while you're gone. If possible, you should even have your kids meet the sitter ahead of time. They'll be able to gain confidence in this new person while feeling secure with their parent in the room. If they're really shy, this helps them to warm up a little faster when you eventually leave them with the sitter. If your child really likes the sitter when they first meet, they may even look forward to staying with the sitter!

2. Every family is different. Your friend or relative may love a certain sitter, but that doesn't guarantee that he or she will be a good fit for your family. Meet in person to make sure that you think the sitter will be able to handle your children, and that your children will feel secure under his or her care.

3. You'll worry about your kids if you don't know the sitter. It will be hard to enjoy yourself on a night out if you're worried the whole time you're gone, and worry certainly won't help you cope with a last-minute emergency. Give yourself some peace of mind by getting to know a sitter before leaving them with your child.

4. It helps your sitter. He or she is taking a chance on your family and will want to know a little about you and your children before taking on the responsibility of caring for them. Watching you interact with your kids will give the sitter some background on how to interact with your child, and will give him or her plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

Meeting with a babysitter before hiring them may seem like an inconvenience, but it is a necessary inconvenience. It will help you, your children, and the sitter to feel comfortable and confident with the arrangement. If you're short on time and don't have an opportunity to meet with a new sitter, find a friend or relative to watch your kids instead. It will be better for everyone.

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