Finding Babysitters Online?

[eratmama]

Has anyone used sittercity or craigslist or similar to find a babysitter?

I need someone (over 18) to watch the kids occasionally. The friends of friends or kids in our neighborhood are under 18. (not ok for foster kids).

Any luck? Tips? I feel like Lifetime movie waiting to happen. (obviously we would interview them and do a background check..)

[twotrue]

I used sittercity and liked it. I only paid for one month of service. I put out an ad and received at least 10 applications. I emailed those that seemed to fit best and then had a few come over for interviews. I think two actually babysat DD. One even stayed at our house for the two weeks we were in Portugal.

From my experience I could sort of tell right off the bat which applicants might be the best fit. I put in my ad that sitters must be comfortable working for a gay couple. Many applicants addressed that directly in their resume which showed me they took the time to actually read what I wrote and didn't just respond with a blanket answer.

[2brides]

I've done ads on Care.com and Sittercity.com. We actually found our first nanny through Craigslist, but I am not sure I would do that now (this was 7y ago.) We also put in that we were a gay couple, with 2 cats, not on a public transportation route.

We got a ton on applicants, and I weeded them down and interviewed a couple of them. We had one babysit once and she was fine, but we rarely use sitters due to $$$.

[hensmum]

We found a sitter on care.com as well. We only paid for a subscription for as long as it took to find someone. I'd recommend it. Like pp, I just posted an add (best to be specific, obv), and got several responses.

[ct]

we will probably need to do that for summer care and just the thought is giving me hives. Who knew I'd be such an overprotective freak?

[2brides]

CT - You aren't. I was not crazy about it - hence I spent hours perusing applicants, interviewed a handful, and then used the one we picked 1x. Thankfully, our neighbors have a sitter that they love and are willing to share. I think we'll try her when we need a sitter next time.

[kershnic]

I got a babysitting job through sittercity several years ago. And I'm very normal. It also indirectly led to me getting my real job....and the mom I used to babysit for is now my boss at work. Yay for Sittercity.

[2brides]

Yea, I agree that there are some awesome sitters out there online. Hell, we found our nanny on Craigslist and she was with us for 3y, was awesome, and very much a part of our family. But it does feel strange to leave your kid and your home in the hands of someone you've met for an hour.

I am just counting down the years until the kids can stay alone for a few hours while we go to a movie - and yes, I know we have a several years!