You’ve asked about experience, you’ve asked about CPR training, you’ve asked how she handles tantrums involving stuffed animals being wrongfully put inside the dollhouse… but have you asked:
If she folds clothes in a way that rivals the very best retail floor manager in all the land?
If she ever finds herself spontaneously organizing PREVIOUSLY disheveled (embarrassingly messy) food pantries?
If she considers making the bed (as well as washing & changing the sheets) an acceptable request every now and then?
If she will dress your baby daughter up with a bow so she looks like a happy little doll when you get home from work?
You may call these things silly, but I call them dumb luck. I wish I could claim credit for the woman I’ve hired to watch LadyP every now and then (when I work)… but, truth is, she asked me if she could do these fabulous little things while my little one was taking naps. When I first met/interviewed her, I was a typical new-mom and asked questions solely about her babysitting experience, references and watched how LadyP interacted with her. Check, check and check. Hired. However, if I’d known to ask questions about cleaning, light cooking and generally helping out with the day-to-day management of my home (on the days when I need her services), I would’ve found that many case-by-case sitters are sometimes willing to do the in-between wife/mommy things that aren’t necessarily associated with taking care of the baby. It’s OK to ask a sitter to keep things tidy. I got lucky with this woman… don’t let luck innocently pass you by. ASK about these things that will lend to make your life a little more fabulous too. It matters.
