https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:18:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ask-new-sitters-for-references#post-2357620 Mon, 16 Nov 2015 04:31:20 +0000 lamariniere 2357620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't. But I only use sitters who have been recommended to me by friends. I would it it were a complete stranger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ask-new-sitters-for-references#post-2357312 Sun, 15 Nov 2015 18:31:28 +0000 erinpye 2357312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely, unless I know the person well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ask-new-sitters-for-references#post-2357138 Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:41:27 +0000 KayKay 2357138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do, and I usually call them just for due diligence sake. But I think it's pretty unlikely I'd hear something terrible, since only a dummy would provide me with contact info for a bad reference...and hopefully by that point I've weeded out any dummies :) I typically just ask how the sitter was with the kids and if there were any issues with timeliness/cancelling.</p> <p>Most of the time it's just good confirmation that they/their kids really loved her. I have gotten a few good tip offs about weaknesses, though, like that they specifically had to ask a certain one to clean up certain things, had to give more guidance on the preschooler taking advantage of the sitter (stalling bedtime), etc. So that was good info just in my evaluation of whether they would be a primary/backup sitter and info/directions to give. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ask-new-sitters-for-references#post-2357119 Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:19:43 +0000 Bao 2357119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually have my mom or BFF babysit so references were never something we had to think about. DH has a work party coming up that we have to get a babysitter for. We have had other sitters but two were from DH's work, and one was my cousin. I want to ask this sitter for references but wasn't sure her just being an occasional sitter if that was necessary. Do you ask for references? </p>