Drug testing a babysitter

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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.

Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.

Okay, in the first place did I not SPECIFICALLY say that I never hired a stranger? So, private testing is beside the point in my situation. I just thought you both were rather harsh with the OP, and that it was kind of insulting to her to suggest that she would seriously be considering hiring someone that she was having any doubts about. I read her post as a general question, reflective of the way that I believe most parents feel about their children.

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Specializes in ER.

For testing for marijuana..what you actually are testing is THC, the active ingredient (9-tetrahydrocannabinol)...it depends on the frequency of use on how long it can be detected in urine...the heavier the user, the longer it can be detected...most users ranging from 3x/week to once/day...can be detected up to 10 days...people that smoke more than once every single day...as long as up to a month it can be detected...Its is very individually variable though...metabolism can play a huge part in it..

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Well Mercy, I am a parent and I would really consider my options that did not include my testing people for drugs. I have managed w/o having to do so this far, anyhow. (13 years). There are many ways to go here.

Like I said, be careful as it may not even be legal unless like suggested, it's done via an agency.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
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

I think your idea is very reasonable and smart.
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Specializes in ER.
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

You can buy drug kits at the pharmacy...they aren't that expensive...and its like any other job, if the person wants to work for her, and her requirements are a drug test, and the person agrees to take the drug test, what is the harm in it?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

the harm may be in being unsure whether it is legal even if the person says he/she agrees to it. I would consider this very carefully and have a contract that stands up legally, if it's something you want to do privately.

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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Well Mercy, I am a parent and I would really consider my options that did not include my testing people for drugs. I have managed w/o having to do so this far, anyhow. (13 years). There are many ways to go here.

Like I said, be careful as it may not even be legal unless like suggested, it's done via an agency.

Right. I need to be careful about the legality of drug testing my babysitter when I have already said, twice now as it happens, that I don't hire strangers. That is my way around my concerns about drug use. That wasn't the question that was asked, though. Odd that I would choose to answer the specific question that was asked.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Right. I need to be careful about the legality of drug testing my babysitter when I have already said, twice now as it happens, that I don't hire strangers. That is my way around my concerns about drug use. That wasn't the question that was asked, though. Odd that I would choose to answer the specific question that was asked.

I was addressing the legality of privately testing their babysitters to those who say "go for it" and tell them how it's done, really, mercy.I think it's prudent to be sure it's even legal to do it privately, if it's to be done at all. I do not pretend to know the laws regarding this sort of thing by state/province. Most of us probably don't.

I guess, in the case where a person trusts his or her daycare provider/babysitter, it would be a non-issue, would it not? For the people caring for my kids, the issue certainly never even crossed my mind and need not have.

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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I was addressing the legality of privately testing their babysitters to those who say "go for it" and tell them how it's done, really, mercy.I think it's prudent to be sure it's even legal to do it privately, if it's to be done at all. I do not pretend to know the laws regarding this sort of thing by state/province. Most of us probably don't.

I guess, in the case where a person trusts his or her daycare provider/babysitter, it would be a non-issue, would it not? For the people caring for my kids, the issue certainly never even crossed my mind and need not have.

But I was not one of the people who said to "go for it". As a matter of fact, I specifically said that a clean test really doesn't guarantee a sitter's suitability. I also specifcally said that I have never been able to leave my child with someone I don't know. I am sure I said these things, because they are right there in my post.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
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 found this curious, because I am the mother of an 11-year old, and my circle of close friends includes parents of kids from infants to early 20s. Through the years we've discussed virtually everthing under the sun r/t raising kids, including the difficulties of child care, but I have never heard anyone suggest trying to impose drug testing on a privately hired sitter.

While the OPs vigilance is warranted, I think z's playa and SmilingBluEyes make some very valid points about the uncertain practicalities & legalities involved in trying to do conduct drug testing on an individual basis. If the OP is in the unfortunate position of needing to hire a stranger for child care, I strongly agree with the suggestion to go through a reputable agency.

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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I found this curious, because I am the mother of an 11-year old, and my circle of close friends includes parents of kids from infants to early 20s. Through the years we've discussed virtually everthing under the sun r/t raising kids, including the difficulties of child care, but I have never heard anyone suggest trying to impose drug testing on a privately hired sitter.

While the OPs vigilance is warranted, I think z's playa and SmilingBluEyes make some very valid points about the uncertain practicalities & legalities involved in trying to do conduct drug testing on an individual basis. If the OP is in the unfortunate position of needing to hire a stranger for child care, I strongly agree with the suggestion to go through a reputable agency.

That's nice. I hope you and all your friends have a lovely day.

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Okay, in the first place did I not SPECIFICALLY say that I never hired a stranger? So, private testing is beside the point in my situation. I just thought you both were rather harsh with the OP, and that it was kind of insulting to her to suggest that she would seriously be considering hiring someone that she was having any doubts about. I read her post as a general question, reflective of the way that I believe most parents feel about their children.

Yes but mercy she did suggest she was going to hire someone she didn't completely trust. She said she is ABOUT to hire a babysitter. The fact she wants to drug test her potentail BB sitter suggests doubt right there. I don't drug test people I trust either, as you yourself stated. (I don't think my mom would go for it anyhow. )

And to reinforce the idea that she was considering hiring someone she didn't trust completely..the OP goes on to say .....

If this person passes the test how long at least will she have been clean?

....which basically asks....if I assume she (sitter) were doing drugs...when did she stop.

No trust even WITH the test according to OPs post. Sorry to OP if I sound harsh. Just 'splaining.

But then again this wasn't the point to my post. I only wanted to point out that instead of asking the potential babysittters to subject themselves to drugtesting at OPs discretion.....just go to an agency where the screening was already done on applicants (who won't be insulted they were asked in the first place....... if we want to talk about insulting here.) With the agency the people are used to drug tests so its liable to be received better than just asking someone to go to the bathroom to pee in a personal drug tester.

ANYways.... :)

I understand where you're coming from mercy. We posted almost the exact same time too so I only got to read the post you directed at me. I'm sorry if I sound too argumentative. I sound that way sometimes when I try too hard to explain what I mean. I bla bla bla my way into a hole. :chuckle

Z

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