Trying to Find a Local Sitter

If you have a college close to you, post a job there. Where I am the college has a website where jobs can be posted for free. I have had good experiences using college students for babysitting.

Do you attend a local church or are you part of a mother's group? You might be able to ask some of these people or other mom's you know for the names of some reliable sitters. Then you interview the sitter, check some references. You might have them come to your home while you are there and pay them to babysit for 2 hrs while you do something else. Then you would be able to watch them interact with your child and see how they act. Good luck--it is always a little scary to go off and leave your little one with someone new, so if you could find someone that has a connection to someone else that you can verify, it would be more peace of mind.

I am a single mom of a 14 month old and I am as well looking for a sitter so I can have some "me" time to do errands or whatever. I am in the same boat, so sorry no suggestions but hopefully someone will respond with some good advice for us. :)

Become friends with the moms of teens. I have two daughters and have just had three new families move in and the girls are always busy on a wweekend night.
Younger teens 12-14 year olds might be easier to get. My sophomore has had to give up a few jobs to her sister as her social schedule is starting to fill up with school activites and such.
When mine were little I used my son's friends and kids from church. One of the girls had her babysitting ad on the church bulletin board.
I alos switch off babysittign duties when I need someone for my 9 year old with a friend who has a 13 mo and an 8 year old.

I don't know about your state, but our state has a websit you can check out lisenced babysitter. Also ask around, usually people usually will let you know who they think are good or not so good. Good luck to you, finding a sitter can be hard.

you can visit www.sittercity.com and interview potential sitters on there. They have profiles and pictures. Sort of like a resume. I thin they have a 7 day trial, but it is worth the sign up fee if you really need to find someone. But I would ask your church, first.

Have you spoken to your neighbors with children? Or perhaps you could post a notice at your local high school.

I know this sounds crazy, but I've actually found sitters on Craigslist. College students will regularly post ads on Craigslist and they have all worked out for me. If I answer a Craigslist ad, I always meet with the woman away from my home (usually at a coffee shop) and then I have them come over to my house to interact with my son while I am there. If my son likes them and I feel comfortable with them, it's a go. But I have declined a few I've met because I didn't get a good feeling from them. My problem is I find the good ones when they are seniors and then they graduate and move!

I know how wonderful it is to have a babysitter you can trust. Date nights are important for moms and dads! Good luck!