Having a sitter for the first time can be heart wrenching. I was a sitter and nanny for over 10 years and during that time I was a 1st time sitter for several families. So I’ve seen both sides. I remember the first time I left the house without my first baby. I went down the street to the grocery store, not 5 minutes away! At first, walking to the car I felt like a teenager again, being ‘allowed’ out all by myself. Heehee! But driving in the car, all I could think about was that my baby was not in her car seat. Walking into the store I felt empty, like I had forgotten something really important. Usually whenever we go out she’s strapped to me in my Ergo baby carrier, so I felt like I had just lost 20 pounds! As I wandered aimlessly up and down the aisles all I could think about was what she may be doing, was she crying for me, does she need me, is she hungry, is she asleep still or did she wake up only to find that I wasn’t there to comfort her?

What I did not have to worry about was if she was being taking care of or not by the person I had trustingly left to take care of my little one. I knew that the person taking care of her was highly recommended and had gone through a background check and screening. (Plus I had left breastmilk, baby’s favorite music CD and the phone number of every person I could think of that lived near by!!)

Leaving your baby the first time is difficult but finding a good match for childcare shouldn’t be. Care providers at Sitter City has an option to have sitters go through a background check, plus the screening process.  As sitters and nannies get experience, other parents give them a star rating and review that you have access to. You can also find tutors for your children, mother’s helpers, senior care, pet care, and housekeeping conveniently on the same site and with the same rating system on all service providers.