by Robin Tidwell

Created on: January 24, 2009   Last Updated: February 19, 2009

The qualifications for a good babysitter have many variables; a lot depends upon the parents and the child or children, as well as the sitter herself. One should look for a certain maturity, as well as compatibility with both the child or children to be cared for and with the job itself.

Younger children require a more experienced sitter, one who can change diapers and prepare bottles; possibly one who will sit down and actually play with the children. School-age kids need supervision, and a sitter who can keep a schedule for meals and bedtime without giving in to silly kid-like demands for ice cream before dinner. Kids who aren't quite old enough to be left home alone need someone slightly older than they to be available in case of emergency.

The actual age of a sitter depends greatly on parental expectations, level of experience, and the age and number of children.

A babysitter who is just ten years old may have experience with younger siblings, and likely she is capable of dialing 911, but many states do have age requirements which prohibit leaving children home alone - and this would probably fall into that category.

A twelve-year-old sitter certainly has more maturity, and almost certainly more experience, and is perfectly qualified for a fairly short, daytime booking. If, however, the children being watched are over age eight, she may find it difficult to exert any authority.

Teenagers up to age 15 or 16 are often preferable as sitters, because they can reasonably expect most kids who require sitters to listen and behave. They often have the most experience as well, and can multitask fairly effectively. This is very important if more than one child is being watched.

Sitters who have drivers' licenses are in demand, but most kids this age have a more steady type of job and have left babysitting behind. However, who better to watch your children than someone who is practically an adult, for all intents and purposes? They can also usually be trusted to respond appropriately and calmly to any emergency which arises.

The age issue is, of course, less important than maturity level and experience. Everyone needs to begin somewhere, but trusting a 10- or 12-year-old to care for your newborn is probably not wise. At the same time, if the baby is sleeping and your errand will take a half-hour or so, you might want to give it shot; it will give a sitter some early experience and perhaps you can benefit from that in the years to come.

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