[mamakimberly]

Okay. Color me confused.

I was under the understanding that for a night out kind of babysitting (just a few hours, out for dinner or something) you could use anyone as long as they have been background checked.

But then I heard that the person had to be certified as a respite worker and has to have gone through PRIDE training, 21 hours, and must go through the entire application process??

What is true!?!

Kimberly

[leenab]

It depends upon your state. Here in New Jersey you can have a babysitter for a night out that is not certified by DYFS, over the age of 18 yrs old the sitter can stay with the child for 6 or more hours. But the sitter can not be a daily sitter who watched the child while you're at work (you'd need a DYFS approved caregiver for that). You can also have someone over the age of 14 babysit for under 6 hours. In our training we found another couple who would be willing to watch our children once a month when we went out, and we'd watch theirs once a month. This is probably the best way to do it, as there is no grey area. The child would be with people approved by DYFS and in a DYFS approved home. On our application we also had to list an emergency caregiver who had to have a background check done on them by the state (no fingerprinting just a search by Social security number).

[HappyMomAnna]

It does depend on where you are---In Oregon you just have to "BE Eligible" to become a Foster Resource---meaning you have to be old enough, and able to pass the background test, able to attend the classes--but, you don't even have to do it....just able to???? Never makes sense to me but that is the rule here?

[kenan]

In Maryland I was told the person has to be 18. Luckly for me my daughter is over 18. She was fingerprinted when she was 18 even though we did not know if she would live at home or in her own place. This has been a real plus, because she babysits for me from time to time. I would ask your social worker what the rules are for babysitting in your state so you do not break any rules. If you know someone who is over 18 and can babysit for you, ask if they will fingerprint that person. It cannot hurt.

[oreomutt]

Kimberly - in the state of Illinois you only need to get a background check completed for babysitters that are there for a few hours. If YOU are going out of state for the night(s) w/out the kids, then you would need to get a licensed care provider.