Every parent needs a break once in a while. It can be difficult to find a babysitter for a child who has special needs. Often, this leaves parents in constant caregiver mode, without time to spend with their spouse or by themselves. Here are some ideas about how to find a good babysitter that will understand your child’s special needs.
Parenting can be an extremely rewarding experience. It can also, at times, be overwhelmingly stressful. This is true for all parents, however, parents of children who have special needs can face an additional amount of stress. There are times when parents just need a “date night” in order to relax and reconnect with each other. Most families can easily hire a local babysitter for a few hours, and go out to dinner.
However, this isn’t easily done for parents of children who have special needs. You might need a babysitter who is CPR certified, who understands the specific details about your child’s needs, and who has had some medical training. Where can you find someone who can provide all that? Here are a few ideas you can try.
Ask a reliable relative to watch your child for a few hours. This gives you the break you need, and gives your child a caregiver who he or she is familiar with. Your relative might know your child well enough to have a good idea what to expect, and can understand your child’s need to adhere to a specific routine.
Try the National Respite Locater Service website. This resource could be a good starting point for a caregiver who needs to take a break for a few hours. This is a way to find someone who has experience with and is knowledgable about how to care for a child or adult with special needs.
You could also try Care.com. It costs around $35 a month to use this website. It connects parents with babysitters. You make a profile, and describe the needs of your child. The website does criminal background checks on all the babysitters. The front page of this website notes that it can provide “Special Needs Care”, as well as “Camps” and “Day Care Centers”.
Another option is Sittercity.com. This one also costs about $35 a month to use. It also does a criminal background check on all sitters. Parents post a job and let sitters apply for it. There is a four step screening process you can use in order to pick the best sitter for your child. This website will enable parents to find a sitter that specializes in working with children who have special needs.
Image by Alan Cleaver on Flickr