There’s no doubt about it, the more kids a mama has—or the older her kiddo gets—the more laid-back she becomes. And that includes her list of requirements for potential babysitters. Elaborate background checks and a letter from the sitter’s third-grade science teacher? Not for veteran moms. Here are the differences between what new moms and experienced moms look for in a babysitter. The kids are going to be alright.
The Referral
New Mom: Runs a background check and needs at least five references, dating back the last 10 years.
Gif Central
Experienced Mom: If a friend of a friend trusts the sitter, we’re good.
Tenor
Hiring Process
New Mom: Invites the sitter over a few days before any actual babysitting takes place in order to make sure baby likes her. And so she can spy.
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Experienced Mom: Has the sitter come over 15 minutes early the first day (OK, 5 minutes).
Glee Wiki
New Mom: Wants someone who can answer the battery of hypothetical questions she’s prepared exactly to her liking during the (hour-plus) interview.
Experienced Mom: Hypothetical questions? Yeah, no. She wants someone who seems responsible and sane, because her kids are downright exhausting.
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Giving Instructions
New Mom: Writes out a detailed list of exactly what’s supposed to happen at each and every moment she’s not there. No sitter—no matter how great—could possibly know.
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Experienced Mom: Briefs the sitter via text after she’s already gone. And if she forgets anything, the sitter will figure it out.
Against My Better Judgment
New-Sitter Worries
New Mom: Worries her child isn’t going to like the sitter.
Rebloggy
Experienced Mom: Worries her children are going to terrorize the sitter.
Tenor
Keeping Tabs
New Mom: Wants a sitter who will text every half hour with updates.
Text Plus
Experienced Mom: If she doesn’t hear from the sitter, she assumes everything’s fine.
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Bedtime Expectations
New Mom: Hopes the sitter will be able to put her child to sleep for the night.
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Experienced Mom: Hopes whomever watches her kids will be able to put them to sleep—for a little while. She assumes the kids are going to get up at some point during the night. It’s all good.
Tenor
The End Goal
New Mom: Looks for a positive role model who will engage her child the entire time she’s gone.
Gifrific
Experienced Mom: Looks for someone who will keep her kids alive while she runs a few errands.
Mr W Gifs