Whether you need to find a reliable sitter for your children for the school break over summer or for an occasional weekend night out, there are ways to help you decide how to make the best choice from among the people you may be interviewing.

Even after you hire someone, there are steps to assure that you have made the right choice. The most important thing to remember is that when your child's welfare is in question, you have every right to be equipped to make the best decision you can make. Sitters can, of course, be male or female, but for consistency in this article, I will use the pronoun "she" in reference to the potential sitter you will hire.

I Need a Sitter. So Where Do I Start?

1. Decide if you want a teen or adult babysitter. Many parents will not hire anyone under sixteen, but that is especially important if an infant is one of the children the caretaker will be watching. Be aware that some states even have laws concerning the minimum age for babysitters to be left alone with children.

2. Decide if you will be taking the child to the sitter's home, or having someone come into your home. Children are often more comfortable in the surroundings with which they are familiar, so if it is at all possible to have the caretaking done in your own home, it is usually the better choice.

3. A family friend or neighbor isn't automatically the best choice just because they do or have done babysitting in the past. It is a good idea to interview someone you know or have heard about just as you would do with a stranger. It is often tempting to hire someone simply because it's a friend or colleague's niece or nephew, but taking the time to find who is best suited to care for your children is always time well spent.

4. Ask the Red Cross for referrals of people who have finished their babysitting course and are from your area. This is sometimes the best way to find a sitter who will know how to handle any situation that may arise.