hotel babysitters or childcare options while traveling

[Anonymous]

Anyone ever use babysitters recommended by hotels when traveling? How did it work out? How do you vet them? On the phone? Did they come to your hotel room and stay in there, or go out when the kids were awake?

Thinking about this for our three year old on a trip to Europe, so there may also be a language barrier and different cultural norms. I'm very nervous, while dh thinks it'll be fine for an afternoon or two, so mainly looking for others' experiences or things to look out out for. Are there other good ways to find one-day childcare in major European cities that I might not be thinking of?

[Anonymous]

Here's an idea....take your child with you. I can't imagine leaving my young child with a stranger in another country, especially if they don't speak English. Traveling with children means you have to make sacrifices, this is one of them.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it. Do you know anyone in these countries that could recommend a sitter or service? A friend of a friend? Anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's an idea....take your child with you. I can't imagine leaving my young child with a stranger in another country, especially if they don't speak English. Traveling with children means you have to make sacrifices, this is one of them.

Please get over yourself. OP is asking for advice on specific topics, not for a lesson how to martyr herself at the altar of all-encompassing parenthood. OP, I can't speak to Europe but I have used websites like care.com and had perfectly good experiences. It's a bit nervous-making, I admit, but if you can find a reputable website OR your hotel can make an in-person rec, I'm sure it will be fine. Maybe post on tripadvisor.com as well for leads?

[Anonymous]

in some parts of Europe babysitters are not all that common. surprising fact taught to me by a European friend. I would try friend of a friend if you have to have a sitter, but really I'd find a friend to travel with you first to have a go to sitter with you. is that possible? otherwise have a quiet night in and stay with your child. I can't imagine leaving a child that young with a stranger.

[Anonymous]

In Canada we did this using a babysitting service (similar to White House nannies or the like, but for Vancouver). It seemed more reputable than a random hotel recommendation. I don't know if services like these are common in Europe though.

[Anonymous]

I have done this both in Germany and on a trip to FL. Sitter services I think are fairly common in Germany, my kid was 3 months old. They vet everyone and most are child development majors or graduates. (very typical for my child care providers in europe). I had concerns as well but for this one event we really could not take baby and quite frankly I didn't find Germany to be very baby friendly in some ways. (although no worries at all about formula, toys etc...they have MUCH higher standards than the US when it comes to chemicals, additives etc). The sitter spokes some English and came to our hotel. My husband speaks passable German so that helped. The only she couldn't figure out was the saddle. We came home and babies arms were on the outside of her sleep sack swaddle but she was sound asleep. In FL, the hotel directed everyone to sitter.com or some similar service. I spoke with the sitter on the phone. The reception was in the hotel so we were never far away.

[Anonymous]

I would not leave my child with a stranger in another country. I would absolutely plan the trip to include her and not attempt a date in that situation.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback so far! And the defense For the critical poster, I hear you. Dh and I will be together with child most of the trip, but it looks like some days our respective job interviews and meetings will need to happen at the same time. I'll be trying to find friends of friends first. Appreciate the ideas, love to hear more!

[Anonymous]

What about looking in the US expat community? There are lots of students/young graduates abroad. My sister is doing this now, she babysits for expats all the time.

I find it strange that people are suggesting that leaving their child alone for an evening in a foreign country is somehow wrong... don't plenty of people get European au pairs??

[Anonymous]

Depending on the country, maybe you can find an ex-pat listserve of families and find a sitter recommendation that way. Im the poster who traveled to Germany. I understand people get defensive but sometimes you find yourself in a difficult situation and have to do what you have to do. Trust your instincts OP when interviewing sitters as well. It will work out!

[Anonymous]

We just went to Texas for a wedding and hired a babysitter for a night through the babysitting service that the hotel recommended. The sitter called couple days before, stayed in our room with my 1 year old (it was at night) and texted me periodically with updates. I was nervous but all went well.

[Anonymous]

Some people are just crazy. I would not leave my child with a stranger in another country. Think about how your 3 year old will feel. You can schedule your meetings for different times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people are just crazy. I would not leave my child with a stranger in another country. Think about how your 3 year old will feel. You can schedule your meetings for different times.

Tell me how exactly you think a 3 year old would feel being left with, e.g., a nice US expat 22 year old woman doing a graduate school semester abroad, for one evening during an extended trip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people are just crazy. I would not leave my child with a stranger in another country. Think about how your 3 year old will feel. You can schedule your meetings for different times.

I agree. Hell I wouldn't even leave my kid with a stranger in our country. What is wrong with you people?

Op- do you have family that you can leave your daughter with here in the states?