What to Do If You Think Your Babysitter Is Acting Inappropriately

Abuse or neglect of a child by a babysitter is a troubling problem. A less significant but more common problem with babysitters is when they don’t follow the rules. Perhaps you suspect that your babysitter is having friends over while babysitting without your permission. Or, maybe you suspect that she is spending the entire time watching TV, rather than watching your children. If you suspect that your babysitter is engaging in an inappropriate action, there are some ways that you can monitor what she is doing when you are not there.

One obvious way to monitor your babysitter is to return to the home unannounced. This can be as simple as planning to leave half an hour before you actually need to leave, and then returning to the home to peek in on what’s going on. Or, you can tell the babysitter that you will arrive home much later than you actually expect to arrive home, hoping to catch her in the act. Obviously, this is not the most effective way to monitor your babysitter. The reason you have hired a babysitter is that you need to be away from home.

Another method is to have a friend or a neighbor pop in while you are away. Give the babysitter a list of “safe” people ahead of time, and then ask a trusted person to stop by to check on your babysitter.

Hidden cameras, sometimes referred to as “spy cams,” are a tool that many parents use to monitor their homes. These cameras, which can sometimes be no larger than an ink pen, can be used to check on a babysitter. There are various types of these cameras, with a great variety of price ranges. Some of them are digital, some will record only video but not audio, and others act as more full-blown security systems. The downside to these cameras is that you have to have one in every room to be certain you are catching all of the activity. In addition, some states are implementing laws that prohibit video surveillance without the notice or consent of the one being taped. To be safe, you might consider notifying your sitter that you have installed the camera or cameras, which may act as a deterrent to inappropriate behavior.

Ultimately, if you do not trust your babysitter but cannot prove any inappropriate behavior, it may be best to find another babysitter.

Posted in Child Care Issues