Making good arrangements with your babysitter is, in my opinion, the most important thing when, as new parents, you need some extra time for yourselves. Of course, Dad can babysit when you want to go out with your friends, and on his football night, you stay home without hesitation. But don’t forget each other.
Naturally, as a new mom and dad, you have new roles, but remember that you are still each other’s partners. If you used to go out for a romantic dinner or a movie, why stop now that you have a child? By hiring a babysitter, you create the opportunity to do this every now and then.
Who will look after your baby?
Maybe grandparents live nearby and are willing to take on an evening. Or perhaps another family member can help you out. In the first months after the birth, we relied on the grandparents, who were more than happy to pamper their grandson. We also use a home babysitter. For us, it’s daughters of acquaintances—it’s nice to know the parents well—but if you don’t have anyone in your network, you can use an (online) babysitting service.
Clear communication
Regardless of who is babysitting, clear communication is the key to success. Don’t just say you need to be somewhere by nine o’clock. Instead, specify when the babysitter needs to be at your house. Also, don’t tell them that the baby sleeps until half-past eight, as this can be confusing. Set one time for meeting each other. Then you can explain your child’s schedule. Allow time for this briefing in your planning so you’re not stressed if the babysitter is a bit late.
Inquire about regular commitments
It’s frustrating when a babysitter is frequently unavailable when you need them. Avoid this by asking about their regular commitments in advance. Our babysitters are very sporty and have training on certain days, so I know they can’t babysit on those evenings. Grandparents also have their fixed moments when they’re unavailable. Knowing this helps you plan accordingly. Whether you go to the cinema or a restaurant on Wednesday or Thursday doesn’t matter for the concept of date night.
Maybe Is Not an Answer
“Maybe I can” is not an answer. In fact, treat it as a no. Young girls often feel insecure and don’t want to lose their babysitting job. They don’t want to disappoint you. You might remember feeling this way during your teenage years—I certainly do. Respond understandingly and say it’s no problem to find another babysitter for now, adding that you’ll definitely call or text her next time.
What do you pay the babysitter?
What do you pay the babysitter? This is very personal. You can arrange an hourly rate, a flat rate for the evening, or different rates for evening (when the children are already in bed) and daytime (when the children need to be entertained). We opted for a fixed hourly rate. The price isn’t a secret, but I won’t mention it here as it varies by region and country. My tip: ask friends with kids how much they pay their babysitters. This way, you’ll know what the going rate is in your area. And grandparents? They usually don’t want anything, but if you rely on them often, consider taking them out for a family meal or bringing flowers or chocolates.
When should the babysitter call you?
Discuss when the babysitter should call you. Is it only in an emergency, or do you want to be notified if the child keeps waking up? Should the babysitter call or is a text okay? Which number should they call? In an emergency, you want to know right away, so make sure your phone is on. Personally, I’d choose the number of the person who usually gets the fewest calls and texts, so there are no distractions and you can fully focus on each other.
Does Your Child Know the Babysitter?
Does your child know the babysitter? I think it’s important that our little one knows who is looking after him. With grandparents, this is no problem, but it can be with the babysitters. So, he has met them all before. It may take some getting used to, but I trust it will feel familiar quickly. That’s why I prefer to work with a regular babysitter.
Photo: Pexels foto/vrouw-in-grijs-shirt-met-lange-mouwen-dragende-meisje-in-blauw-denim-jasje-4947596/ – pexels-orlovamaria-4947596.jpg. My English is not very good, so I’m translating this with the help of Google Translate and ChatGPT.