How to find the right babysitter....????

[hannahlane]

Where should I begin to even look for a babysitter for M my 3 year old son. It makes me so nervous to even think about leaving him with someone I don't know. I've done the home daycare once it wasn't that great of an experience. Sometimes I would show up to her house and her brother-in-law would be there with the kids or even her own kids would be watching them. I love the idea of a home daycare but I just don't want that same thing to happen to us again. And I know a center wouldn't be good for M he bites too much and likes to hit and tackel other little kids. I think i'm most scared of them getting so frustrated with him that they wont take care of him. Cause sometimes I get so overwhelmed when he whins and I can't do anything to soothe him.

But I just need some advice or websites to look into. Someone please help me in finding a good person to watch my son!!!!!!!

[RockinMama0608]

It is hard for me to find a sitter for my son too.  Usually we ask our friends to watch the kids for us if we need a night out (people we trust).  When I eventually go back to work, I will have to start looking for a daycare for him.

Also, there is a website where you can look for special needs babysitters.  Here is the link to Care.com.  One of my friends used this website for her girls and swears by it.  I haven't tried finding anyone on there though.

I hope you are able to find a sitter for your son!

[redsox_baby]

I used sitter city, actually. You'd be surprised how many special ed teachers and girls who are studying special ed, speech therapy, or iccupational therapy, etc. are listed on there looking for occasional babysitting gigs

[SandyLaxner]

Absolutely love care.com and sittercity.com.  They have special needs sitters.  Often college girls studying teaching special needs children.  There is background checks that you can get.  But of course still interview and check references.  My son's(5)1:1 aide in preschool had her 18 yr old daughter volunteering in the classroom,and I'm going to have her babysit too.

[Leobaby2007]

I have also been incredibly nervous and over protective re: this issue.

A mom friend from my son's school used sitter city and her son has autism. They have had the same baby sitter for 2 years.

I have never my almost 5 year old son with anyone but my mom or my husband. I think it's about time I think about funding a sitter. I could use an afternoon or two to myself. Just a few hours to decompress.

I am going to try sitter city. I have also heard care.com is a good one.

Also, in my church bulletin, there are usually names of babysitters as well from the congregation. That might be a good way of finding one as well.

[Dereksmom1018]

I found my sitter in the local paper and interviewed the heck out of her!!!! I also checked her references.

[Austinsmom4544]

Try your local board of MRDD.  Usually they will have lists of people who are willing to care for special needs.  Thats where I found mine with a list of references current and past clients to check her out.  We have been with her for 5 yrs!  Good luck :)

[Sheriff6]

Are you needing full time, part time? If it is part time and you have a college or university advertise for a person who would like to or itch special needs child? We have three volunteers from the local university all who are Psy. majors.

[hannahlane]

Part time now (two days) then 5 days a week. I just want them to watch him from the time i have to go to school till I get home.

And thank you for all the advice.

I will definitely check out both of those websites.