Babysitting relationships are special because parents and sitters often turn out to be friends and confidantes, as well as childcare partners. Any parent knows quality sitters are a hot commodity these days, so it's equally important for your family to be a catch. If you think you've found the perfect match, use these tips to make him or her love you back!

Search Smart
Potential babysitters first learn about you and your family through your initial job postings, so it's crucial to enter the search process with the right mind-set. Many parents are often too distracted or short on time to put much care into job postings or interviews. Remember the importance of first impressions from your dating days? When starting a sitter search, you should similarly put your best foot forward.

In my experience at Sittercity.com, I've seen every kind of posting ‑- from those that read like bad personal ads (Must be funny, intelligent, happy, have a master's degree, and love long walks on the beach) to those that leave out crucial information, like how to reach the family! Remember, the job posting is the potential babysitter's first impression of your family, so it should be clear, concise and include all the important information you want to communicate. Key elements include:

• Your name and phone number or email address


• Where you live


• Your driving preference


• Dates and times you need a sitter


• Any pets you have


• Your kids' ages


• Your smoking preference


• Your reference and interview requirements

Beyond these basics, it's also a good idea to add a dash of your personality. Here's a good sample posting:

We are looking for a babysitter to work Monday through Friday from 4 to 6pm in Your Town, USA. Must be very organized and have an upbeat attitude, high energy, a good sense of humor and a strong love of pizza. Our three very active boys are ages 6,4 and 1. Please have two excellent references, at least two years' experience working in a paid childcare position, your own transportation to our home, and an excellent driving record. We would also prefer that you are a nonsmoker and speak fluent English. We have two dogs. Our kids have no allergies. This is a summer-only position. Light housework is included, and our rate is $12 an hour. If interested, please contact Brenda at 888-555-5555 between 9 and 5 on weekdays, or email brenda@youremailaddress.com.

Screen Smart
Think of interviewing as a way not only for you to get to know your sitter, but also for her to learn about your family and how you run and organize your household. Before speaking with references ‑- who may be in touch with and report back to the sitter ‑- it's a good idea to plan and have a list of questions prepared. The same applies to the interview ‑- you only have one chance to impress a potential sitter, so use that time wisely. Put yourself in a sitter's shoes: When deciding between potential jobs, it's likely you'd rather work for an organized, friendly family than a scatter-brained one.

For interviews, choose a clean area of your home, offer the sitter something to drink or eat and occupy your kids with naptime or a movie, so they're not constantly intruding during your talk. The sitter will be able to get an idea of your lifestyle, without being exposed to the madness of your family's latest cooking experiment. These subtle touches will let your ideal sitter know that you respect her and her time. Finally, remember that sitter 'dating' goes both ways ‑- if you expect her to come in a nice outfit, take a little time to look presentable, as well. For excellent reference and interview questions, check out Sittercity's list.

Start Smart
A sitter who feels comfortable in your home is a happy sitter ‑- and she's more likely to excel with the right preparation. For the first job, ask your sitter to come an hour early so you can give her house and life tours. A house tour includes all the safety features of your home, including fire extinguishers, child safety locks, alarms and hazardous materials. A life tour includes a look at things like your kids' quirks, favorite toys and annoying habits, like the blanky-that-never-dies or a Harry Potter addiction. For teenage sitters, don't forget to point out the real essentials ‑- the snack drawer, the fridge and the remote controls, if you've okayed TV-watching.

Find ways to personalize your sitter's experience. Put her birthday on your family calendar. Ask about her favorite foods and pick them up when grocery shopping. These steps may not seem like a lot, but they are the difference between ho-hum loyalty and near-fanatical dedication to your family. Who wouldn't want the latter?

Finally, if your sitter excels, find little ways to show your appreciation. Homemade cookies or candy on her birthday, a holiday bonus, an occasional pizza lunch or even just a thoughtful note of thanks are all ways to reward. Consider Valentine's Day and Mother's Day a time to share the love and give a token of appreciation. If you take time to issue small rewards, your sitter will start loving you as much as you love her!