Which babysitter should I choose

Question

only two have answered my ad. the first one wants $12/hr with a four hour minimum. she has great references. the second will do it for only $6/hr with no minimum hours. this one, however, is a guy who has not been able to produce references. I have never had a male babysitter, but the price is right and within my budget. If I had more time, I would be more choosy.

Answer 1

No reference? No job, that simple.

Nothing against the guy, but it would be irresponsible to hire someone to watch your children if they don't have references.

Regardless of your time, you should be choosy these are your most precious things in life..your Children.

Don't take a chance with their safety just to save some money.

I don't want you to think I'm being ****** but, but you have no idea what type of person you could be giving your children to.

Answer 2

Never hire anyone to watch your children without any references. He cant come up with some personal references at least?

Answer 3

First of all, how old are the children that are being watched? Will they be able to tell you if something goes wrong? If not, I would reccomend investing in a nanny cam. Also, have the guy and the girl get a background check. Most childcare centers and private homes will require an up to date background check to be on file. If the guy has no background, then he may be ok. However, the fact that he cannot produce references is a red flag. These are your kids. You can not be too careful. Even if it is more pricey to keep a good sitter, you may want to consider cutting costs elsewhere. $12 per hour is really about average. So, in summary. If you are thinking about the guy, have him get a background check, get a nanny cam, and ask him for someone that knows him! You need to call someone about his character. If you are going with the girl, tell her she needs to produce a background check (usually about $10), nanny cam still optional. I would pay more for the girl. Anything that goes wrong with children concerning sitters and teachers will effect them for the rest of their life. I know. I had horrible sitters care for me as a child. I still remember, before I could even talk, the couple would not feed me or my brother, and the man would sit on the couch and drink beer all day. My mother had no idea because we were too young to tell her. It was awful. Be careful. Make the best decision, not necessarily the cheapest.  

Answer 4

wait for more people to respond I wouldnt say either one is great (unless you can afford the 12 an hour)...you dont always have to settle on the first ones who call...they are your children not something you let go easily and leave in the care of people you are not sure of...but out of your two i'd think the woman is a better option and may do an even better job even if you have to pay her more.

Answer 5

you need to go with instincts on this one, what does your gut tell you to do, money aside, who would you choose?  I personally would choose the expensive female with great references, these are you children we are talking about here after all.

Answer 6

If he doesn't have any references and he walked out of a job, I wouldn't hire the person (regardless of gender). Gender has nothing to do with someone's ability to babysit your child. Take the more expensive one after you've seen her "in action".

Answer 7

How about you have both of them over tom. and see which one does better. These are your children that you are entrusting to someone else. Why does the male have no reference - is this his first time watching kids or has he done it before and no one would give him a good reference?

I would take the one with references over the one without. In the meantime you can keep looking for someone who fits better into your paycheck

Answer 8

Guys are most likely not the best babysitters. its kinda funny cause i am 15 and was babysitting my neighbors right after their uncle got done watching them and i went to change her diaper and it was on backwards. it was funny. and if he doesn't has a personal reference and isn't a father i definitely would not choose him as a babysitter. and maybe after a while you could make a deal with the girl after you get to know her for the whole 4 hour min. CAuse i know i am very flexiblle with rates and stuff like that.

Answer 9

I would not accept a male babysitter without references. If he could give you some good reliable references then yes I could consider it.

But saving the 6 dollars an hour is not worth the worry I would have not knowing who was with my kids.

the other girl is a little steep but you could always use her until you found someone who you cared for and would work better for you.

Answer 10

Male babysitters can be great, but never hire someone with no references. He should be able to provide you with three names and contact info for people who know him and can attest to his character. By the way, a licensed day care program would probably be less expensive.

Answer 11

The first one

Answer 12

Try going to craigslist.org and posting an ad, or looking for a babysitter/nanny posting in your area.  I wouldn't care whether it was a guy or a girl, but you need someone within your price range, and also someone you can trust with your kids!  You should try to get family to watch the kids for a few days if you really need a sitter that soon, because honestly, if it were me, I would not want either of them.  Just keep looking, someone will pop up, and they will be just perfect!  Never settle for someone, ESPECIALLY not when it involves your kids.  Hope this helps :)

Answer 13

Go with the one that has the references.  Previous work with children, and people who can vouch for that says a lot.  If it were something as simple as cutting your grass, I'd say take the chance and go with the cheaper one, but these are your kids!  The one that costs more has probably had more training, and would likely handle anything that may come up with children. As for the second one being a guy, I have no problem with that, it is just the reference thing.  With your precious children, I'd say it is not worth the chance of something happening to them, just to save some money.

Answer 14

Never hire someone just because the price is right.He could be some physo.You should interview some people and get references.Don't just grab the first one that comes along. also,set up a hidden vidio camera somewhere that she or he can be watched.Theirs to many things happening to kids today.

Answer 15

well these are your children. that is what you need to remember.

first off, there is nothing wrong with a guy sitter, have him over, and sit him and down, and watch him for aday, still pay him of course, but then you will know if he is fake or wathever with the kids.

the 12$ one is a bit high,but at the same time has lots of experience, so that would be why she charges so much etc.

give the guy a try, but be precautious, like you wold with any sitter.