I remember like it was yesterday, our quest to find and keep a good sitter.  They are in demand in our neighbourhood so we had to be sure we booked as early as possible and paid well.  We learned the hard way that there are other things that put us in the “preferred client” category and won us the top Saturday night spot.  You don’t have to make the same mistakes.  Now that my daughter is the coveted sitter I understand the arrangement from both ends and can get you to the head of the sitter pursuit pack. Here are some tips:

• ·         Poll neighbors who will share sitter’s phone numbers for their fav’s (stop socializing w them if they won’t!) 
• ·         Engage a good one while she is still young.  A “mother’s helper” after school one day a week, will give you a break and an opportunity to train that 12 year old into a long term sanity saver
• ·         When you do graduate to night time outings, make arrangements in advance about if/how you are going to get him or her home. (‘Cause I guarantee you that the parents are hassling for an answer so they can decide how much wine is ok to drink or if they have to drive to pick her up!)
• ·         Make sure the sitters’ parents know you and trust you too
• ·         Be clear about what time you will be back, teens worry too you know! (text, don’t call if you are going to be late, they won’t answer the phone, they don’t really know exactly what a phone is)
• ·         If you have wireless internet, let the sitter know so she/he can bring a laptop to do *ahem* homework  *ahem* facebook.
• ·         If you don’t have wireless internet, get it. Just sayin’.
• ·         A good cable package is a bonus. Let her know if you are ok with movie purchases. (Feel free to leave behind the fancy remote so she can program it for you. she likely had to fix the one at home too.)
• ·         Order the pizza before you leave if you can. It can be eaten cold and teens hate opening the door to a real person (this rule may change once they are over 20)
• ·         Don’t ask what they like to snack on, they will never tell you.  Do buy some of the crap that you know their parents won’t.
• ·         Pay by the job, not only by the hour.  For instance, if you have two hellions who won’t ever go to bed, tell the sitter that you are aware of this fact and will give her a bonus.  If you have one sweet engaging child who never kicks up a fuss (hahahhhah, sorry) don’t bother, your sitter already likes you better.  A daytime gig should pay more than a “we will put him to bed before you come” gig.  It’s only fair.
• ·         Recognize that a fully trained, well seasoned bronze cross caregiver is worth more than a 12 year old who is just in the house because someone has to listen for noise.  Let your pay (and responsibility expectations grow with your sitter) (they love coupons, gift cards and swag too!)
• ·         Regardless of how or how much you pay, give these kids a pat on the back for their willingness to take on the responsibility of another precious person.  Let them know verbally that their promptness and reliability are valued. It will help them to know what’s best to bring to their real job.