How to train a babysitter to watch your toddler

Start with just a meeting

If you have a neighbor that has a daughter that wants to start babysitting, then you could have a great opportunity to train her to be a long term babysitter you'll feel comfortable with.

Have her come over and just meet with you and your child for about 15 minutes for the first time. Then set up a time for her to come over while you are there, for about a half hour.

When she comes over, let her play with your child in a room while you are in the house doing other things. This way she feels comfortable that you are near and you feel comfortable as well. Have her do this several times until you both feel comfortable.

Tips to help her out

You might notice some things during the first few times the babysitter-in-training comes over.

• She might not know what to do with your toddler and will just watch him run around the room acting like a crazy kid trying to entertain. Let her know that he may need some direction...have her give him a job to do , like helping her to line the trucks up in a parade, or stack the blocks as tall as possible. This way the babysitter becomes in control of the situation, not vice-versa.
• Your toddler will test the babysitter-in-training to see if she will tell him what he can't do. He'll do this by trying to do all the things he knows he's not supposed to do. Be sure to let your babysitter-in-training know that she's allowed to tell him no and send him to the time-out spot. Also be sure to let your child know this too.
• Let your babysitter-in-training know that she is doing a good job. A confident babysitter will make you feel confident with leaving your child with her.

Next step

The next time your babysitter-in-training comes over, let her know that you'll be going outside the house this time as if you were leaving to go somewhere. Tell your toddler that you are going out and be sure to take your purse with you. This isn't a lie...you are going out of the house. You can go in the garage and read, or just sit outside where your toddler can't see you or go to the neighbors. When you "leave" let your toddler know that he should listen to the babysitter. This way your toddler won't see the babysitter as a "playmate" but more of an adult. This also allows your babysitter to get used to the idea of you not being around.

Go out during naptime.

Now that you might feel comfortable with having the babysitter watch your child, have her come over while your toddler is napping and really leave the house and go somewhere. If you want, you can ask the babysitter to call you if your child wakes up. You can arrange to return home about a half hour after your child wakes up. This way you give the babysitter some time with full responsibility, but you know that you are on your way home too.

Final step

Go out on a short date night and enjoy it! You can feed your toddler before you leave, and line up a movie that they can watch. You'll feel comfortable with the babysitter and know that your child will be sitting down "most" of the time while you are gone!