Parents can't stay at home all the time; so when it's time to look for a babysitter, what qualities should you be looking for?
There are actually quite a few important factors to consider when hiring a babysitter.
An advantage to having young people as babysitters is that they are generally energetic, playful, fun-loving and entertaining with your children.
The disadvantage is that they may be less strict than you are with discipline and they may not be experienced in handling problem or emergency situations.
If your child is close to 12 years old, you will need someone considerably older to babysit. A teenager who is only one or two years older is not likely to have much authority.
Dr. Elizabeth Murray and Melanie Cole, MS, discuss what you should consider when hiring a babysitter, as well as the key qualities you should you be looking for when entrusting your kids in someone else's hands.
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Choosing the Right Babysitter for Your Child
Featuring:
Dr. Murray is a Physician specializing in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Upstate, NY. She graduated from Skidmore College with a BA in Economics and then, prior to medical school, she earned an MBA at the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business Administration. Upon completing her Residency training at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, she returned to her hometown of Rochester to complete her Fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Murray holds a dual appointments to both the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and the Division of Prehospital Medicine at the University of Rochester. Additionally, she holds an appointment as Deputy Emergency Medical Services Medical Director for Monroe County and serves on the Regional EMS Council as the Pediatric Content Expert.
In 2013, Dr. Murray joined the Board of the Rochester Childfirst Network, an agency committed to providing high quality, early education to the children of Rochester. She is a member of the AAP’s Council on Communications and the Media and has previously written for their blog. In addition, she serves as a Spokesperson for the AAP.
Elizabeth Murray, MD
Dr. Murray is a Physician specializing in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Upstate, NY. She graduated from Skidmore College with a BA in Economics and then, prior to medical school, she earned an MBA at the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business Administration. Upon completing her Residency training at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, she returned to her hometown of Rochester to complete her Fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital. Dr. Murray holds a dual appointments to both the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and the Division of Prehospital Medicine at the University of Rochester. Additionally, she holds an appointment as Deputy Emergency Medical Services Medical Director for Monroe County and serves on the Regional EMS Council as the Pediatric Content Expert.
In 2013, Dr. Murray joined the Board of the Rochester Childfirst Network, an agency committed to providing high quality, early education to the children of Rochester. She is a member of the AAP’s Council on Communications and the Media and has previously written for their blog. In addition, she serves as a Spokesperson for the AAP.
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