When parents have to leave their children in charge of a babysitter it is already something that costs them a lot, the feeling of guilt about having to do other things like work and not being able to be with the children is quite high. But the society in which we find ourselves today forces parents to work outside the home and also to hours that have nothing to do with school.
In this sense, it is normal that many parents have to leave to earn money in order to make ends meet just when their children walk through the door. There are parents who simply must organize their lives in order to balance it in the best possible way. And a way to seeking balance is having to hire a babysitter sometimes so you can babysit when both parents need to be away from home at the same time.
A teenage babysitter?
You may be wondering which type of babysitter is best suited for your children. A nanny if she is a teenager and does not have studies is likely to be cheaper than an adult who is trained and dedicated to being a babysitter. It is true that you will have more resources and you will probably have more confidence, but a responsible teenage girl can also be a good option, especially if you need to save money and you know that she is a good option because she has references.
Hiring a teen babysitter can cause anxiety as adolescents often have little (or no) experience with young children. If you want to hire a teenage babysitter, you need to ask her the right questions when you interview her, because this way you will know if she really is a suitable babysitter and if you can trust her to do the job. You should make sure that the adolescent is a mature, pleasant person, with common sense and above all, that it shows that he or she likes children.
Specific advantages and precautionsA teenage girl usually contributes Energy, generational proximity and a good disposition for the active playIn return, it requires Clear instructionswell-defined limits and, preferably, a brief trial period to check the fit. You can consider a mixed search: recommendations from families you know, specialized agencies and childcare apps with verified profiles, ratings, and filters for experience and training.
Ask personal questions that give you all the necessary information
Finding a babysitter is not easy, and you may have limited options, which is why you may be hiring a teenage babysitter. You should intuit that their personality is the right one to take care of your children and that their level and ability are necessary to meet the needs and expectations of the task. In addition, it is key that you can feel relaxed while you are not at home and she is taking care of your children.
It is a good idea that you ask him questions about the school, his grades, his relationship with teachers and classmates (which you can check before he takes care of your children), Ask him about his friends, what extracurricular activities he does, if he has any hobbies, what his dreams or expectations are for the future, why he wants to babysit instead of doing something else, etc.
The more information you gather, the more peace of mind you can feel about the care you can provide for your children. You can search for him on social media to find out what kind of social behavior he has and whether what he does is inappropriate or unsafe. Although you can also find messages that show you that he / she is a loving, friendly and responsible teenager. Nowadays social networks can show very valuable information about people and their habitual behaviors. If you are going to hire a babysitter it is essential that you trust her.
Key Questions Block which you can add to your interview to refine the selection:
- path: since when she has been babysitting, ages she feels most comfortable with and why.
- MotivationWhat attracts her to childcare compared to other temporary activities?
- Functions performed: meals, baths, homework, tidying up, active play, sleep routines.
- emergency management: if you have first aid training and how you would act in case of fever, blows or choking.
- DisciplineHow he/she reacts to tantrums, disobedience, or sibling conflicts.
- Communication: how you will inform the family (brief messages, part at the end, relevant incidents).
- Values: use of screenslanguage, respect for house rules and parents' educational style.
- Availability: days, hours, holiday periods and flexibility in the face of unforeseen events.
- Transport: whether you will be traveling with the children and what documentation/insurance you can provide.
- Highlighted: two verifiable contacts and authorization to consult them.
Introduction with your children: arrange a brief first meeting at home, stay a few minutes for them to get to know each other, explain basic rules, and leave a activity script and emergency phone numbers. This smooth transition reduces anxiety for both the child and the nanny.
The experience you have caring for children
You will also need to ask him about his experience taking care of children and if he really feels ready to do it with your children. You may have childcare experience because you have younger siblings at home and have had to take care of it from time to time. Perhaps you have worked as a babysitter on other occasions and even if it has been for short periods, you can still be very responsible.
You need to ask her to describe what a babysitting day would be like for her, what she would do, how she would behave in the face of possible difficulties that may arise when taking care of children of different ages, etc. You need to know what he understands about caring for children because he may need very clear instructions from you so he can carry out the work according to your interests and needs of your children.
Also, if the adolescent girl or boy has had experience as a babysitter on other occasions, it will always be an excellent idea. that you ask for references and the phone number of other people who know him / her so that you can directly ask their opinions about your teen babysitter's job. Perhaps his words can help you decide whether to give him the job or not.
You will also need to ask him more specific questions about the safety of your children. For example, you could ask them things like, "What would you do if my child were playing in the yard?" A good answer would be that I wouldn't take my eyes off him and I would be near him at all times to prevent him from hurting himself.
Expand the assessment with hypothetical situationsWhat would you do if the child refused dinner, if they refused to go to sleep, if they fell in the park, or if someone knocked on the door? Please consider whether their answers included prevention, communication with parents y adherence to the rules of the house.
Norms and rules
A teenager, no matter how responsible he is, will also need rules. It is very important that you tell him that the mobile phone is not allowed while he is in charge of your son, can you imagine that something happens to your son because the adolescent was chatting on Whastapp? Or that perhaps he prefers to look at his Facebook to play with your children? If you need to make a call, you can use your landline or one that you provide to use only at home. Also, you can tell him what kinds of toys and games they like to play and if he wants the job he will have to plan activities that you should discuss in advance to see if they are appropriate, so when you are taking care of your children you will not feel lost at any time in terms of free time.
There's a big difference between passive and active nannies, and you need to make sure your children will be entertained and well cared for at all times. It's also important to find out about their first aid knowledge and hygiene practices (your children will need to have clean hands after playing in the yard before eating, for example).
If you will be driving with your children, establish in writing and verify:
- Driving history and points on the license if applicable.
- Insurance that covers child transport and child restraint systems.
- Car check and mandatory use of seat/belt.
- Rules: no mobile phone while driving, permitted routes, speed limits.
- AdditionalHow fuel and parking are compensated.
- Alternatives If driving is not feasible: walk, public transport, authorized taxi.
Legal employment and contracts in the family home
If the care is regular (same times and days), formalize a contractIn the area of ​​domestic employment, it clearly defines:
- Job type: external for hours or day, or internal with overnight stay.
- Working hours and breaks: daily schedule, intermediate breaks and consecutive weekly schedule.
- Salarynever below current minimum wage; specify if it is monthly or hour and if it includes prorated payments.
- Showtimes:: childcare, meals, school support, transportation, light tasks during naps if necessary.
- Trial period and duration (temporary or indefinite part-time/full-time).
- Holiday Courses, holidays, substitutes and policy of Extra hours.
Registration and obligationsRegister as an employer where applicable and register the nanny with Social Security before starting. Submit a letter of employment With set hours, salary, and job duties. Pays social security contributions and respects breaks, vacations, and notice periods. Keeps payslips and supporting documentation.
If it's internalIt includes the in-kind value of accommodation and meals, establishes two hours of daily rest in split shifts and a long weekly rest period; it reflects the night availability if it existed and its compensation.
If she is a foreignerVerify residence and work permit, NIE (Foreigner Identification Number), and identity documents. Request copies and keep a record. Do not complete the process without a valid authorization.
Practical cases to guide you:
- Occasional recurringOne afternoon a week for a few hours; a part-time contract by the hour is advisable, and registration is required if there is regularity.
- Afternoon Diary: from 16 to 20; indefinite or fixed-term intermittent part-time contract, with payroll and proportional contribution.
- Live-in full-timeMonthly salary according to current minimum wage, breaks, holidays and pay; specify night shifts if any.
Characteristics of the ideal nanny
During the interview, look for signs of empathy as well as, sweetie y fun in dealing with children, in addition to experience (even if it's family), education. y patienceOther valuable qualities:
- Active and eager to play: it proposes activities, crafts and outdoor play.
- In charge of the watch and foresight unit of INRS y reliable: respects rules, schedules and reports incidents.
- Punctual y flexibleIt includes unforeseen events and agrees on compensation when necessary.
- Positive role model: appropriate language and attitudes; can help with schoolwork.
- Sensitive to the child's needs and with serene authority to maintain routines.
- Skills Useful: first aid, safety, time and space organization.
How to organize your search: practical steps
- Define the ad with specific requirements (schedule, tasks, experience, desirable training).
- Telephone pre-selection: filters by distance, availability and basic tuning.
- face-to-face interview with a list of questions and observation of the interaction with your child.
- Check references and, if appropriate, request first aid certificates or training.
- Verification Use social media only as a complement, without hasty judgments; prioritize safety behaviors.
- Trial hours paid to validate fit, style and communication.
- Contract and high when there is continuity.
Integration with your children and daily coexistence
- Tell him what they're like: personality, tastes and special needs if any.
- Hobbies and games: helps to gain their trust through the child's interests.
- Workouts clear food, sleep, hygiene, homework and screen time.
- Affectionate firmnessAuthority with kindness and consistency.
- Conversation and empathy: that listens, observes and informs you of changes or difficulties.
For a short first date (for example, a two-hour date), leave visible instructions, anticipates the game planning and say goodbye naturally without prolonging the separation. If your daughter or son shows resistance, offer a bridge activity (story, playdough) and leave when it's hooked.
Activities and timings: what to expect on a typical afternoon
- WelcomeReview of rules and proposal for active play.
- Hygiene before simple preparations (child's snack/dinner if applicable).
- Quiet activities afterwards: reading, puzzles, drawing.
- sleep routine consistent: bath, story, bedtime.
- During naps, they can agree light tasks (order of play, child's plates) or responsible presence No tasks, as agreed.
Common problems and how to solve them
- Fuzzy rules: put them in writing in a visible place; review them in the contract.
- UnpunctualityClarify expectations and record hours; adjust schedules or compensate if it is recurring.
- Disorder: Define which tasks are part of childcare and which are not, to avoid confusion.
- Lack of reliabilityDefine the channel and notice period; have a plan B backup.
- Payments: agree on day, method and recording of hours; any extension must be paid for.
Periodic monitoring and review
- Review of the experiences and lessons learned during the year or period worked.
- family changes that affect schedules, school, or routines.
- Function settingsinitiative and discipline style.
- Renewal of conditions, holidays and raises where applicable.
- Child development: milestones, challenges and objectives for the coming months.
If it's difficult to find candidates
- Review your ad and adjusts minimum requirements versus desirable ones.
- Personalize the text to highlight your value proposition.
- Find out more local rates and be realistic with your budget.
- Promotion and word of mouth: ask for recommendations from schools and families.
Shared care and other alternatives
Rate the shared care with another family for socialization and cost sharing, or specific resources such as day care centers and local services during specific periods. When traveling, options such as hotels with childcare services Or a verified local babysitter can give you room to enjoy time as a couple.
If the candidate is very young and has little experience
You can facilitate their good performance by proposing a test session shorter, a conversation script with the child (introducing yourself, suggesting a game, reading together) and prepared activities. Useful recommendations for them: practice with out loud readingVolunteering with children, basic training in first aid and request feedback after each service to improve.
Choosing a teenage nanny is possible, and with a rigorous and humane processIt can be a very positive experience for your family: define expectations, check references, establish clear rules, formalize the arrangement if there will be continuity, and nurture the relationship with regular follow-up. With information, preparation, and communication, the caregiving will be safe, stimulating, and aligned with your values.
