It's not unusual to find both parents working. There may also be times when you have to attend functions as a couple. In both cases, you may need to leave the kids with someone trustworthy. If you want peace of mind, the best way is to find the best sitter.
The process of getting a sitter however probably is not that simple. What do parents have to take note of when find a sitter?
Start as soon as possible
If you want to have a break as a couple, then begin your search for a sitter early. This means planning all your night-outs, breaks, work commitments ahead of time. This is to ensure that when you decide to study your sitter options, you have more time to study qualifications and be discriminating.
Ask for a lot of things
When you're done looking for sitters and there is already applied for the position, start a good screening process. Ask the right questions. Many highly recommend asking for references and actually checking and calling on those references.
Ask the kids
Always talk to your kids about their experience with their babysitter. You can ask them to describe what they did that day if they enjoyed being with their sitter, what new things their sitter taught them and what other things their sitter has been doing.
Be sensitive to such warning signs as discomfort among your kids when you ask them sitter-related questions and bumps and bruises in inconspicuous parts of your child's body.