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When selecting a teenager to care for your baby, you need to be assured that the teenager is capable of handling the task, and that they know what to do in case of an emergency.

You have three main items in your arsenal that you can use to help you determine if you should hire a particular teenager.

• Your interview of the potential babysitter.
• Speak to other parents who have used the teenager's services, and get their opinions.
• Has the teenager taken a babysitter course or an infant first aid course?

Before you interview the potential babysitter, write out a list of questions to ask. Some questions you might ask include:

• How old are you?
• Where do you go to school?
• What are your grades?
• How long have you been babysitting?
• Have you held any other jobs?
• Why do you want to baby-sit my child?
• Have you taken a babysitting or first aid class?
• Make sure that they know how to perform infant CPR.
• If they have taken a class that awarded a certificate, ask to see it.
• Do they have any references?

Both boys and girls can make excellent babysitters. Judge the teenagers on their training and how they interact with the baby, not on their gender.

As with gender, the age of the babysitter is not as important when choosing a sitter as is their skills and their level of maturity.

Pay scales for teenage babysitters vary greatly across the nation. In some areas, you can still find a teenager willing to babysit for 50 cents an hour, in other area it can cost you $15 dollars, or more, an hour. To find out what the going wage is in your area, ask other parents and other babysitters.

• If your interviewee is willing to work at a rate much lower than the norm, question why. This is one area that you most likely don't want to select the lowest bidder. What you want a quality babysitter and you should be willing to pay for one.

After the interview, you may think that you have found the perfect sitter, but how can you be sure?

No method is full proof, but the best method is simply to have a few trial runs. Have the babysitter come over to your house for a few afternoons, and let them care for your child while you are home.

• This will give you a chance to observe them in action.
• It will give them a chance to familiarize themselves with you home and your baby's routine.
• This will give your baby an opportunity to get use to the new babysitter.
• Once they have begun sitting for you, make a few spot checks, just as you would with any other child care provider. For example, tell the babysitter that you will be home at 10pm, but show up 8pm. This may help you see how the babysitter really functions when unobserved.

Your best tool in finding a teenage babysitter is to ask around for recommendations. Teachers, youth group leaders and other parents are good sources.

• Also see if any babysitting training courses are available in your area, if they are, you can post a notice there that you are seeking a babysitter. However, for an infant, you should hire someone who has a bit more experience.

Make sure that they understand exactly what their responsibilities are. Provide them with a detailed list of how you want the baby cared for. Also, make sure that they know who to call in an emergency or if they have any questions.

• Be sure that you leave an emergency information sheet listing emergency numbers, information on where you can be contacted, and any special instructions you have for the babysitter.

Be sure to provide your babysitter with plenty of food and let them know if they can use your VCR, stereo, or other equipment.

If at anytime you get the feeling that the babysitter is not treating your baby properly, fire them. Although it may not be fair to the sitter, it is better to be overly cautious and fire them, rather than to risk your baby's safety by giving them a second chance.