From Mary Poppins to Supernanny, parents have seen a few too many miracle-working child caregivers to be 100 percent sure what to expect from an everyday babysitter. And sitters want to do a great job caring for your kids, but how do they know what falls under their job description? Unfortunately, there is no standard blueprint for babysitting. It depends entirely on the family and the sitter. Realistic babysitter responsibilities usually vary by the age and experience of the sitter, how often the sitter is spending time with your family and the needs of your children.
A babysitter's responsibilities can include things like:
•Cooking/feeding
•Performing light housekeeping
•Doing laundry
•Changing diapers
•Preparing bottles
•Transporting kids (bringing them to soccer practice, picking them up from school, etc.)
•Helping with homework
•Making snacks
•Getting kids ready for bed
•Playtime/lessons (reading to them, doing crafts, etc.)
But how do you know what to ask of your sitter -- and how does a sitter know what to expect? Here are some helpful tips for determining responsibilities for your babysitter.