Keep your friends close and your babysitter closer. Maybe that is not quite how the old saying goes, but it is good advice if you want to avoid becoming the victim of sitter stealing of nanny nabbing. In mom-speak, sitter stealing is not when your babysitter steals from your home; rather, it is when a so-called friend swipes a great caregiver from under your nose. Should a carefully gurarded caregiver get pilfered, the results can be ugly -- friendships lost, feuds started, kids scarred for life. Here is how keep your beloved sitter safe and sound.
The Stolen Sitter Scenario
The local playground is a breeding ground for sitter stealing. Typical thieves are mothers who offer babysitter higher rates or benefits to sit for their family instead of the sitter's current one. But beware sitter stealers can just as easily be close friends. "My best friend from high school once stole a dream babysitter away from me, "says Pam Baxter, a Sittercity user. "I didn't speak to her for two years. We are friend again now, but no one - and I mean no one - gets the contact infromation of my personal babysitters.
Why Parents Steal
In a word: need. Before the babysitter search went online, parents often had to pound the pavement looking for good help, posting signs, paying expensive agencies and writing classified ads to look for caregivers. It's not too surprising that parents would then poach a friend's sitter in a time of need. Parents trust caregivers who have been vetted by other families. Who wouldn't want reliable care without having to endure a tedious screening process? If you are tempted to "borrow" another family's sitter, know that screening today is easier than ever.
Guard Your Treasure
Treat your sitter's contact info like an ATM password - simply don't give it out! If a friend asks for your babysitter's contact information, don't feel obligated to share. After all, sitters are not dresses. Politely inform your friend that your babysitter is busy with your family and if you can, pass on names of some of your babysitting backups instead.
Know When To Be Flexible
Of course, what we are talking about is an ongoing, regular sitter-family relationship. If a friend calls in a dire, one time only emergency, it is okay to lend a hand but be clear from the start that your sitter has a regular relationship with your family and this should be only a one time thing.
... And Know When To Stand Your Ground
If you find yourself felling bad for a new sitterless parent in the area, resist the urge to share your sitter to help out in the short term. It is unlikely a parent will stop using a good sitter of her own free will. Make if habit to send moms in need to sites like Sittercity.com or to other outlets you trust.
Learn The Trouble Spots
Know that sitter stealing often occurs in public areas, like parks, community gatherings and at large parties, where there are lots of nannies watching kids, and lots of moms watching them. While you are not going to lock your sitter indoors keep your ears open for potentially poach happy parks then find subtle ways to keep your sitter far, far away.
Keep Your Sitter Smiling
It is not necessarily always about the money. A sitter may be unhappy with aspects of her employment with you. Not that you should be bribing her regularly, but if your sitter is doing a wonderful fob, there are lots of ways to reward her. Extras, like bonuses, raises, gifts and just simple praise, can make your sitter less likely to accept another offer. Treat her with respect, earn her trust, and make it a point to check in and ask if she is happy with your family.
Damage Control
Were you the victim of a recent sitter theft? Don't sit back and sulk! It's completely withing you rights to confront the petty thief. You can also contact the sitter and ask her to return to your family, but expect to shell out some cash of like-minded perks. Or take this sound advice from Sittercity mom Laura B: "I confronted a parent who stole a sitter from me by email and cc'ed my former sitter on everything. The mom was completely embarrassed because she had given my sitter false information about me and I had my sitter back withing the week.
Stop It Before It Starts
If you see or hear of a friend chatting up your sitter and asking alarming questions (about her compensation, responsibilities, etc.), nip it in the bud with a half joking "hands off, she is mine!" In the end, a good friend will understand your need to hold onto a good sitter and appreciate any other contacts you can muster up.
Join Sittercity.com Now and Save 15% Off
CLICK HERE : sittercity promo
The Stolen Sitter Scenario
The local playground is a breeding ground for sitter stealing. Typical thieves are mothers who offer babysitter higher rates or benefits to sit for their family instead of the sitter's current one. But beware sitter stealers can just as easily be close friends. "My best friend from high school once stole a dream babysitter away from me, "says Pam Baxter, a Sittercity user. "I didn't speak to her for two years. We are friend again now, but no one - and I mean no one - gets the contact infromation of my personal babysitters.
Why Parents Steal
In a word: need. Before the babysitter search went online, parents often had to pound the pavement looking for good help, posting signs, paying expensive agencies and writing classified ads to look for caregivers. It's not too surprising that parents would then poach a friend's sitter in a time of need. Parents trust caregivers who have been vetted by other families. Who wouldn't want reliable care without having to endure a tedious screening process? If you are tempted to "borrow" another family's sitter, know that screening today is easier than ever.
Guard Your Treasure
Treat your sitter's contact info like an ATM password - simply don't give it out! If a friend asks for your babysitter's contact information, don't feel obligated to share. After all, sitters are not dresses. Politely inform your friend that your babysitter is busy with your family and if you can, pass on names of some of your babysitting backups instead.
Know When To Be Flexible
Of course, what we are talking about is an ongoing, regular sitter-family relationship. If a friend calls in a dire, one time only emergency, it is okay to lend a hand but be clear from the start that your sitter has a regular relationship with your family and this should be only a one time thing.
... And Know When To Stand Your Ground
If you find yourself felling bad for a new sitterless parent in the area, resist the urge to share your sitter to help out in the short term. It is unlikely a parent will stop using a good sitter of her own free will. Make if habit to send moms in need to sites like Sittercity.com or to other outlets you trust.
Learn The Trouble Spots
Know that sitter stealing often occurs in public areas, like parks, community gatherings and at large parties, where there are lots of nannies watching kids, and lots of moms watching them. While you are not going to lock your sitter indoors keep your ears open for potentially poach happy parks then find subtle ways to keep your sitter far, far away.
Keep Your Sitter Smiling
It is not necessarily always about the money. A sitter may be unhappy with aspects of her employment with you. Not that you should be bribing her regularly, but if your sitter is doing a wonderful fob, there are lots of ways to reward her. Extras, like bonuses, raises, gifts and just simple praise, can make your sitter less likely to accept another offer. Treat her with respect, earn her trust, and make it a point to check in and ask if she is happy with your family.
Damage Control
Were you the victim of a recent sitter theft? Don't sit back and sulk! It's completely withing you rights to confront the petty thief. You can also contact the sitter and ask her to return to your family, but expect to shell out some cash of like-minded perks. Or take this sound advice from Sittercity mom Laura B: "I confronted a parent who stole a sitter from me by email and cc'ed my former sitter on everything. The mom was completely embarrassed because she had given my sitter false information about me and I had my sitter back withing the week.
Stop It Before It Starts
If you see or hear of a friend chatting up your sitter and asking alarming questions (about her compensation, responsibilities, etc.), nip it in the bud with a half joking "hands off, she is mine!" In the end, a good friend will understand your need to hold onto a good sitter and appreciate any other contacts you can muster up.
Join Sittercity.com Now and Save 15% Off
CLICK HERE : sittercity promo
