Life on Florida’s West Coast

The Babysitter Dilemma

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I am very, very fortunate to live close to family. When I need to be somewhere that I cannot take my daughter, I can get my mom or my sister or my daughter’s father to spend time with her. I always feel secure about leaving her and she feels safe as well. When I lived in Gainesville, I did not live near family, but we were absolutely blessed to have some best friends right across the street that had five children, three of which were old enough to come across the street and baby sit. Their parents were always available to back them up and their dad is a local pediatrician, so that was a double-blessing. There are just so many parents out there who have to make do with the best they can find when they have to go to work or perhaps to night classes. My friend, April, lives in Australia and she used a service to find a Brisbane babysitter. I might add that she had much success. I know we have similar agencies and finder services in the U.S.

I know my own mother did not have the same luxuries when I was small. She and my dad either opted to stay home, or she had to trust the recommendations of a neighbor as to which of the teens on our street were good babysitters. My sister and I were always safe and in the end, I realize we were fortunate.

My old neighborhood kept a directory of available sitters on our association website. Many churches also have a list of available sitters in their directory or on a bulletin board. I was part of a MOPS (Mothers of Pre Schoolers) group back in Gainesville and we often just sat for one other’s children. The neighbor I mentioned before told me when she was a young mother back in Texas; she got some neighbors together and formed a babysitting co-op.

My best advice is to keep your pool of sitters either close to your circle of friends and family, or make sure you have access to a good background check on the care provider you choose. Use extra diligence and you will cut dangers off at the pass, more often than not.

Yes, this is all on my mind due to the posts I have been writing this week about the abducted teen.

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