People are finding their life's partner over the Internet, shopping online for furniture and that perfect wedding gown, purchasing groceries via a point and click method, and even choosing day care centers, schools, nannies or au pairs electronically, so why not find a babysitter in the same fashion? The use of online babysitter services is a growing trend, and while it may not be for everyone, it is a babysitter service solution for some.
So how does it work?
The process varies, but typically parents pay a membership fee to join an online babysitter service and sitters enroll for free. Different groups have different rules and age restrictions. Parents should be clear that these sites typically do not screen or conduct background searches on potential sitters; their claim to fame is "connecting" parents and sitters. However, having said that, information about sitters is typically included, and often includes ways a parent can check with references or talk with the sitter beforehand before any agreement is reached.
Babysitter service sites may feature also testimonials of parents and/or the sitters, and often include photographs to help provide an additional comfort level to parents. For example, sittercity.com promotes "sittercity success stories." Its site features an attractive brunette, who is quoted as saying, "Sittercity is perfect for someone like me with a busy schedule during the week. I am available in the evenings and on weekends and can always find great families looking for a sitter during these times. Sittercity allows me to find babysitting jobs that work around my busy schedule. Every family that I’ve met through Sittercity has been so greatâ€"they welcome me into their home and have such fun children!"
Another online babysitting service, 4sitters.com features a parent testimonial on its home page. "I did have a positive experience...we found a babysitter in our area who my kids absolutely adore! Yesterday was her first day with us, and my son actually got upset when she left! I knew then that we had found the right babysitter! Thanks so much for this wonderful service!"
While larger urban areas are the locations that will typically get a larger pool of potential sitters on the growing number of national babysitter service sites, a quick check by using zip codes of some surburban areas at least promise a healthy number of potential candidates...and, as a result, more viable options for desperate parents when trying to scramble for an upcoming "must attend" event that requires child care.
And parents shouldn't forget to search locally on the internet for babysitter candidates as well. That's because while national or regional online babysitter service companies are relatively new, many enterprising parents and businesses have already embraced this type of partnering locally for years. Many neighborhood associations offer potential babysitter services online, as do churches, schools, youth groups, and moms programs. And, while the pool may be more limited, the list typically comes with a free price tag...and much easier to check references.
In the head, while not all parents will feel comfortable about this approach, one thing can be said with certainty, is that making online decisions about babysitting services is gaining in strength and is a solution that more and more families are opting to use. And, parents should be comfortable in knowing that these sites do not advocate simply connecting a willing babysitter with just any family; rather, the creators encourage the sitter and parents to talk with one another and ensure a level of comfort and familiarity before agreeing to an arrangement...just like with any other traditional babysitting job. And, who knows? An babysitter found from an online service could end up being the very best caregiver your child has ever had. It could happen!
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