Babysitters

When looking for a babysitter, make sure you ask for references. I think setting up cameras is a GREAT idea! You never know what is happening when you're not home.

I would ask each babysitter what they are seeking to be paid. This way, you won't offend if you offer too little and you won't overpay either.

As for bedtime routines and fussiness, just let the babysitter know how you do things. It might be a good idea to have them over for bedtime while you are home so they can watch how you handle things. If all else fails, you'd only be a phone call away!

You could put an add in the news paper, when I was looking for babysitting jobs that's how I found mine.

I think 16 or 17 is a good age, I started babysitting the triplets BY MYSELF (even if it was only for an hour or two at a time) at probably 13, but I grew up with kids, so I wasn't clueless on what to do.

I don't think a 16 or 17 year old would have any problems babysitting 2 kids, I've done it lots of times, you could invite her over to meet the boys and see how she reacts with them, and tell her you'll call her back when you decide what you're going to do?

I forgot, the other problem is that Ethan doesn't like strangers. I don't think this will ever work.

If you find a sitter you really trust and like, just invite them over a couple of times so Ethan can get to know them. Maybe for some fun at the park, Chuck E Cheese, something exciting and fun so he will associate that fun with the babysitter. He'll have to warm up to meeting new people at some point anyway. What about when he starts school? The teacher will be a stranger to him as well.

You might try putting an ad in a college paper. I know when I was looking for someone to look after Brianna I called the local high school and asked the guidance office to put up a posting. They gave me the list of kids that were interested and their input on who they would and wouldn't recommend.
I agree with inviting your perspective sitter over to see your routines and to meet/spend time with the kids.
I think the age of the person depends on their maturity level and their experience. I know some 13 year olds that are super mature and I know some 17 year olds that are super immature. Get references for sure.

I would recommend the first time you go out you say you'll be home at a certain time and make a point to come in an hour early. Then you'll see what's up first hand.

We got a 17 year old here that watches all 4 of ours, most of the time though its when we all wanna go out together and theyre usually in bed by the time we go out and usually still asleep when we get back so she basically sits there, although sometimes like monday was an emergency situation they were all awake. I wrote a list of everything and how they act or why they cry what they need etc. Like we have to lock all our doors and there bedroom ones when they go to bed otherwise the toddlers will come back out etc. And if they are acting funny when we are ready to leave ill tell them if they start fussing you can do this or that, or they can go to bed early if they had short naps or no naps that day. We kinda pay alot cuz its 4 kids . monday she came over around 6:30pm and left at 2am but we paid her 40 euros for that , but when we went out before and they were in bed when she got there we paid her 65 euro for the overnight and came back at 6am when the kids had just woken up. 65 euros prob close to 80 bucks, when i babysat overnight when i was younger i got paid 20 bucks if the kids were in bed lol cuz all i did was sit there and make sure the kid was ok and didnt wake up during the night or something.
But id ask them first some wont really know and you can give them your ideas and roll with it, id also make sure or see if they took any cpr or first aid classes, i know like on base here and stuff with the military they have a list somewhere of the teenagers that took those courses and are certified. i did that course back in 2000. Also if they have ever had experience with kids at all. They might get fussy at first and freak out but they will calm down once they realize the babysitters just here to have fun and keep an ey e on em. our kids are the same way, when we went to the hospital monday night brandy had to like push lexy back in the door, but they calmed down. I try and either have em for a nap or if its nighttime in bed if someone is babysitting, then they dont freak out as much when your not there since they didnt see you leave , i think a good thing wold be like have the person come over as much as possible with you still there to play with the kids and stuff so they are used to that person and know them more. the first time we left the kids with a babysitter here in germany i was sooo anxious and worrying about em all night.

I have my sister in law watch them down here. I pay her like 20 bucks cuz she only watches them a few hours b4 my in laws come home and basically take over. I can leave them with my ma too and i dont have to pay her but in Il we paid my friends daughter to watch them once they were in bed and wed give her like 20. she was only 11 and then 12 but we live next door to her house so if ne thing went wrong she just call her ma over. she was basically there just to watch tv n play on my computer.