How to Find a Last-Minute Babysitter

Emergencies happen. Your usual babysitter might cancel at the last minute or a situation might arise in your family requiring you to find a babysitter at very short notice. This scenario can leave you in a panic, especially if you need to leave in the next few hours. Pull out all the stops or call in a few favors, and you might find a responsible, reputable babysitter who is willing to stay with your kids without much notice.

Instructions

    • 1

      Call family members and friends. Ask them if they know of a babysitter they trust with their own children. A recommendation will often help you find a sitter who has a good reputation and who is also willing to come over that same day.

    • 2

      Create a backup list of babysitters you know and trust. Your list might include your neighbor, a young girl from your church or the teenage daughter of your best friend. Having a long list of potential babysitters will allow you to get on the phone and track down someone willing to watch your children with short notice.

    • 3

      Call on your friends and family members. Perhaps grandma and grandpa would be willing to babysit when you're in a pinch or your sister would be available to come over and stay with your kids while you're gone. Make a trade, if necessary. Perhaps you could spring for pizza so grandparents don't have to cook or you could offer to watch your sister's kids next time she is in a pickle.

    • 4

      Contact babysitting placement agencies. These agencies do background checks and screen potential babysitters to match them with prospective clients. Many of these agencies also offer last-minute or emergency babysitters. Know that you'll probably have to pay extra for this service and that you probably won't get to meet the babysitter ahead of time.

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