Drug testing a babysitter

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 15, 2005

I am about to hire a babysitter and want her to take a drug test. I was wondering how long marijuana(sp) stays in a persons urine. If this person passes the test how long at least will she have been clean? I know sounds like a weird question but I just don't know that much about drug testing.

It last a very long time in the hair, but in a UA a few days. Curious as to why you want to test her? Does she have a history of drug abuse? If so, wouldn't you be more hesitant to even consider her?

Best of luck to you :)

Missyb32641 · Jul 15, 2005

I would want anyone who was watching my kids to be tested. My daughter is special needs and takes a lot of medicine and my son is on rittalin la and strettera. I want to make sure that they would be safe they have to pass a back ground check also.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 15, 2005

I would want anyone who was watching my kids to be tested. My daughter is special needs and takes a lot of medicine and my son is on rittalin la and strettera. I want to make sure that they would be safe they have to pass a back ground check also.

I see, I was just curious since you did not mention all this on your original post :)

I know what you mean about making sure whomever is taking care of your precious ones to be safe.

Anyhow, best of luck. Hope the results come back negative

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 15, 2005

be careful; it may not be legal. I am one who worked odd shifts and horrible days---opposite my husband, to avoid using babysitters at all. For 13 years, one of us has been with the kids, or they have been at the home of a very good, close family friend or relative.

It's never easy, but no one but close friends and family was ever 'good enough" to care for my kids, period. ask yourself why you would want to test a babysitter for drugs? The answer may be, you need to find another solution.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 15, 2005

be careful; it may not be legal. I am one who worked odd shifts and horrible days to avoid using babysitters at all. It's never easy, but no one but close friends and family was ever 'good enough" to care for my kids, period.

Excellent point. You might want to check with your state or area and see if you can require that. :)

LydiaNN · Jul 15, 2005

I'd recommend hiring through an agency. What are your daughter's special needs? The reason I ask is that here in California, there are agencies from whom you can hire respite workers that have been screened.. Of course, a clean test really doesn't guarantee that the kids will be safe, so you have to bring all your other resources to bear, too... I have never been able to bring myself to hire a stranger. If a friend or neighborhood teenager can't watch my son, I just don't go out. He's always gone to center based day care for this reason.

z's playa · Jul 15, 2005

Why don't you go through an agency where all that stuff is already done? Asking someone to hand over their bodily fluids to be tested at your own discretion isn't legal here that's for sure.

What kind of drug test? Will you actually pay a company to come over and collect hair samples? Urine? Blood?

Are you going to watch her pee in the cup too to ensure it's her pee?

The reason I'm asking is you sound like you don't trust her already so why bother?

Go to an agency.

z

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 15, 2005

Why don't you go through an agency where all that stuff is already done?
What kind of drug test? Will you actually pay a company to come over and collect hair samples? Urine? Blood?
Are you going to watch her pee in the cup too to ensure it's her pee?
The reason I'm asking is you sound like you don't trust her already so why bother?
z

That's kinda the impression I had from the OP. I meant no harm though by asking the Q's I did. Glad to read I wasn't the only one who though this. :)

LydiaNN · Jul 15, 2005

Jessica and z, are you two parents? It really isn't the least bit uncommon for parents to consider running these sorts of tests.

z's playa · Jul 15, 2005

Jessica and z, are you two parents? It really isn't the least bit uncommon for parents to consider running these sorts of tests.

I'm not going to get into another debate over how far is not far enough to go concerning kids.

You missed my whole point to my post.

It's so much easier to go through an agency. Period. You have the bucks for private testing? Go the extra mile.

And yes I have one girl. :rolleyes:

Z

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 15, 2005

Jessica and z, are you two parents? It really isn't the least bit uncommon for parents to consider running these sorts of tests.

Nope, not a parent, but I don't see how that has to do with anything :)

I am sure I have some common sense (even as a nonparent) and like I expressed earlier, I do understand the concern....BUT by the impression I got from the OP, there is a sense of mistrust. I hope I make myself a little more clear

Anyhow, end of subject (for me) and have a blessed day