Using a babysitter while on vacation

[Anonymous]

I haven't read all the responses but I live in an area of the world where this is common (expat overseas). Given your parent are there I'd feel totally fine about it- because your parents can semi-supervise without doing the actual work. My nightmares are about abuse or neglect or an earthquake and the babysitter doesn't get them out of the house; if the parents are there, I'd be less worried.

On the other hand if the baby is sleeping maybe thegrandparents can just callyou when s/he wakes up?

[Anonymous]

I would not do what you described. I WOULD probably hire someone who was a local preschool teacher looking for summer money etc - but not sure how you'd find that person.

Honestly this is the price of having a 3rd kid. You just miss out on some stuff with the older ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read all the responses but I live in an area of the world where this is common (expat overseas). Given your parent are there I'd feel totally fine about it- because your parents can semi-supervise without doing the actual work. My nightmares are about abuse or neglect or an earthquake and the babysitter doesn't get them out of the house; if the parents are there, I'd be less worried.

On the other hand if the baby is sleeping maybe thegrandparents can just callyou when s/he wakes up?

huh? She said the grandparents aren't good with the baby and assuming it's their vacation too why should they stay with OP's baby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not. I'd switch off with a grandparent or my husband during nap time. I'd be willing to hire a sitter like you describe but only when the kids are old enough to speak up for themselves, let me know afterwards how it went (like later preschool years).

Please. What do you really think a sitter is going to do wrong? Kidnap your kids? Keep in mind that women commit way fewer crimes than men and I assume the sitter will be Female.

Op - just have the sitter come right as you’re about to put the kids to bed. Don’t have the sitter give the kids a bath, take them anywhere. Basically make it so there is no room for any accidents. Get a baby monitor you can view on your phone while you’re out and go somewhere nearby.

Abuse, neglect, lack of skill/CPR training for handling emergencies like a febrile seizure or choking, outdated safety knowledge (puts baby to sleep on his tummy or sets the car seat with baby inside up on a table), alcohol/drug issues I don't know about - I can think of a lot of things that could potentially go wrong with a sitter that I haven't properly vetted, had personal recommendations for, or hired with a trial period.

[Anonymous]

You could also try posting on facebook to see if anybody you know knows a sitter in the town where you are going. I've gotten some great sitter references that way from old high school friends who live where we are going, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not. I'd switch off with a grandparent or my husband during nap time. I'd be willing to hire a sitter like you describe but only when the kids are old enough to speak up for themselves, let me know afterwards how it went (like later preschool years).

Please. What do you really think a sitter is going to do wrong? Kidnap your kids? Keep in mind that women commit way fewer crimes than men and I assume the sitter will be Female.

Op - just have the sitter come right as you’re about to put the kids to bed. Don’t have the sitter give the kids a bath, take them anywhere. Basically make it so there is no room for any accidents. Get a baby monitor you can view on your phone while you’re out and go somewhere nearby.

Abuse, neglect, lack of skill/CPR training for handling emergencies like a febrile seizure or choking, outdated safety knowledge (puts baby to sleep on his tummy or sets the car seat with baby inside up on a table), alcohol/drug issues I don't know about - I can think of a lot of things that could potentially go wrong with a sitter that I haven't properly vetted, had personal recommendations for, or hired with a trial period.

This is crazy. Your kid doesn’t need to eat when the sitter is there. Feed, bathe and change the kids before he sitter arrives. No need for a car seat and doubt the sitter would even have one. Everyone knows about putting a baby on their back. To be fair - many parents have alcohol and drug problems. I can’t imagine now being able to spot alcohol or drug abuse in a sitter. I don’t even know what a febrile seizure it but assume the babysitter can call 911 just as quickly as I can.

When it comes down to it parenting young kids is tiring but isn’t that hard.

I can’t imagine parenting with this much fear and not using a sitter for the reasons you stated. Your life must be terrible. Your female hormones meant to keep your kid alive in a bad environment are limiting you from enjoying life in the safest world there has ever been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not. I'd switch off with a grandparent or my husband during nap time. I'd be willing to hire a sitter like you describe but only when the kids are old enough to speak up for themselves, let me know afterwards how it went (like later preschool years).

Please. What do you really think a sitter is going to do wrong? Kidnap your kids? Keep in mind that women commit way fewer crimes than men and I assume the sitter will be Female.

Op - just have the sitter come right as you’re about to put the kids to bed. Don’t have the sitter give the kids a bath, take them anywhere. Basically make it so there is no room for any accidents. Get a baby monitor you can view on your phone while you’re out and go somewhere nearby.

Abuse, neglect, lack of skill/CPR training for handling emergencies like a febrile seizure or choking, outdated safety knowledge (puts baby to sleep on his tummy or sets the car seat with baby inside up on a table), alcohol/drug issues I don't know about - I can think of a lot of things that could potentially go wrong with a sitter that I haven't properly vetted, had personal recommendations for, or hired with a trial period.

Do you live in a low income area? I can see maybe coming across these behaviors in a lower income neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I tried to do this and had a recommendation for a nanny who could babysit from a trusted friend. We agreed the time, place and rate. I went down the the lobby to meet her and changed my mind on the spot. I Still paid her in full but said our plans changed and sent her on her way. We were supposed to go out for dinner but ended up ordering in. I probably won't attempt this again. There was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way..

[Anonymous]

We have, but we checked references thoroughly and between the two parents / two grandparents she was rarely at home with the infant alone. The infant was at an age where constant holding was needed, including for naps and sleep. Both grandparents working and not the kind to sit and hold baby for more than 10 minute.

She ended up being lovely and keeping in touch with our family -- we liked her very much and would use her again.

[Anonymous]

SitterCity.com has background checks for a price. That’s how we wrap our head around it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not. I'd switch off with a grandparent or my husband during nap time. I'd be willing to hire a sitter like you describe but only when the kids are old enough to speak up for themselves, let me know afterwards how it went (like later preschool years).

Please. What do you really think a sitter is going to do wrong? Kidnap your kids? Keep in mind that women commit way fewer crimes than men and I assume the sitter will be Female.

Op - just have the sitter come right as you’re about to put the kids to bed. Don’t have the sitter give the kids a bath, take them anywhere. Basically make it so there is no room for any accidents. Get a baby monitor you can view on your phone while you’re out and go somewhere nearby.

Abuse, neglect, lack of skill/CPR training for handling emergencies like a febrile seizure or choking, outdated safety knowledge (puts baby to sleep on his tummy or sets the car seat with baby inside up on a table), alcohol/drug issues I don't know about - I can think of a lot of things that could potentially go wrong with a sitter that I haven't properly vetted, had personal recommendations for, or hired with a trial period.

This is crazy. Your kid doesn’t need to eat when the sitter is there. Feed, bathe and change the kids before he sitter arrives. No need for a car seat and doubt the sitter would even have one. Everyone knows about putting a baby on their back. To be fair - many parents have alcohol and drug problems. I can’t imagine now being able to spot alcohol or drug abuse in a sitter. I don’t even know what a febrile seizure it but assume the babysitter can call 911 just as quickly as I can.

When it comes down to it parenting young kids is tiring but isn’t that hard.

I can’t imagine parenting with this much fear and not using a sitter for the reasons you stated. Your life must be terrible. Your female hormones meant to keep your kid alive in a bad environment are limiting you from enjoying life in the safest world there has ever been.

What? I use regular sitters and a part time nanny. We are talking about getting a previously unknown sitter while on vacation. There's a reason people ask for personal recommendations and background check sitters especially for infants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not. I'd switch off with a grandparent or my husband during nap time. I'd be willing to hire a sitter like you describe but only when the kids are old enough to speak up for themselves, let me know afterwards how it went (like later preschool years).

Please. What do you really think a sitter is going to do wrong? Kidnap your kids? Keep in mind that women commit way fewer crimes than men and I assume the sitter will be Female.

Op - just have the sitter come right as you’re about to put the kids to bed. Don’t have the sitter give the kids a bath, take them anywhere. Basically make it so there is no room for any accidents. Get a baby monitor you can view on your phone while you’re out and go somewhere nearby.

Abuse, neglect, lack of skill/CPR training for handling emergencies like a febrile seizure or choking, outdated safety knowledge (puts baby to sleep on his tummy or sets the car seat with baby inside up on a table), alcohol/drug issues I don't know about - I can think of a lot of things that could potentially go wrong with a sitter that I haven't properly vetted, had personal recommendations for, or hired with a trial period.

Do you live in a low income area? I can see maybe coming across these behaviors in a lower income neighborhood.

Isn't that the point - OP knows nothing about this potential sitter, her background or skills - because the owner hasn't even used her before.

[Anonymous]

We had a wedding on the cape. My aunt called around to several daycare there and found two teachers willing to babysit. It was five kids ages 3 months - 5. I don’t know what they charged but knowing my dad and uncle, the teachers were paid above the going rate to watch the precious grandchildren.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely do this if I could find a little more trusted recommendation (like nanny agency as others have said).

[Anonymous]

We’ve done this, both with personal recs and with agencies. Fine experience each time. If we rent an Airbnb the host usually knows someone. Our kids are the age of yours and we’re on vacation with grandparents now. If they weren’t as helpful as they are, we’d be hiring occasional sitters.

Or you could do what my in laws did in the 80s - leave their napping baby in the condo while taking the older one to the beach ?