Choosing a Babysitter for Your Precious Kids

It's not often that you get a night to yourself, so when you finally do, you don't want to spend your time fretting about the babysitter. Here are some tips for choosing a babysitter who's right for you and for your kids.

Go local

Try to source your babysitter from local community networks, or through family and friends. This way your babysitter has been in a sense vetted by individuals you trust and you're more likely to end up with a babysitter who's right for you.

Check references and put them to the test

It's always a great idea to check your babysitter's references to make sure that other parents have been happy with their services. Also set up a meeting with the babysitter to see how they interact with your kids. You want to make sure that they're good at dealing with kids, and that there aren't any personality clashes you'll have to worry about.

Make sure they're aware of your expectations

It's a good idea to ask a first-time babysitter to come over a little earlier than planned to ensure that you have time to acquaint them with any household rules, as well as any safety advice. You'll also want to leave your own and a trusted neighbor's contact details just in case. Let them know if you have any particular expectations or requirements relating to schoolwork, bedtimes, or meals and snacks.

Finding a great babysitter can help you enjoy a good night out while your kids can enjoy a good night in!

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Books and Literacy: a great excuse for building your home library!

If you can't resist buying a book every time you're out shopping, never fear: it’s money well spent. While teachers and educators have been telling us for years that we need to get our kids reading from an early age, more and more research is backing them up.

For example, a recent study from the University of Nevada has found that having books in the home is linked with improved literacy rates amongst youngsters. So if your personal library collection is lacking a little bit, you might want to think about picking up some great reading material to fill your shelves.

If higher literacy rates aren't enough to get you on the book bandwagon, maybe this will: not only is having a personal home library linked with higher graduation rates, but kids from homes with books are also more likely to go on to attend university or other further studies. Books are pretty cheap as far as private tutors go!

Still, having books in the home is only the first step. If you love reading, and actively participate in it yourself, then your kids are likely to, as well. You don't have to spend your days reading high-brow literature, though: any reading material is a great start to show your kids that reading is something they can enjoy. 


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