Baby Sitting World

Have you ever thought about the benefits of having your baby-sitter’s email address if you’re a parent, or your client’s email address if you are a babysitter?  Well there are benefits to both parties. 

If you are a parent, the more methods of communication you have available to your for your sitter, the better.  Even if you have the baby sitter’s home phone number and her cell phone number, her email address may still be helpful. 

I can remember several times that I kept meaning to call the babysitter to schedule her for a particular event, but I would have so much going on everyday that I would keep forgetting.  It usually happened that I would finally remember when it was too late at night to call.  I was never comfortable leaving messages on answering machines, because so often they were picked up by other family members and deleted and the sitter never knew I called.  Many times I was unable to go to an event because I was waiting for a sitter to call me back when she never even received the message that I called.

Email is great if your sitter uses it and checks it frequently.  You can still call but also send a confirmation email with start time for the night and other details.  Then, if you remember at 11:00 at night that you were supposed to call the babysitter, you can just send her an email that won’t disturb her or her family.

If you are a babysitter, it would also be a good idea for you to have your client’s email address.  One great reason for this, is because if you needed to discuss something or ask something without the kids hearing you this is the perfect solution.  For example, if you wanted to take the kids out for an ice cream and you asked the parents when you arrived at their home in the presence of the children, there may be some major meltdowns or tantrums if the parents say no.  I’m sure the parents wouldn’t be thrilled to deal with this sort of situation right before they head out for the night.

Always confirm dates and times with your client or sitter as the date approaches, especially if you’ve booked it more than a week in advance.  A telephone call is quick and easy.  But if you don’t connect with the person you are calling, leave a message and then follow up with a text or email to be sure they got the message.  Using two forms of communication and confirming plans is a smart idea.

Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert