If both parents are there, I’m not sure why you’d need to do this. Divide and conquer. Or just take the baby to the beach in an ergo some of the time.

I’m a teacher who works as a PT nanny for an agency for gigs like this. The nannies have all been vetted through the agency. If you can’t find something like this, I would not do it. Take turns with the baby. I’m a mother too and I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving such a young baby alone Roth a random sitter.

We have done this, several times. Although the babysitters were always recommended by people we know. The only time we didn’t have that, we got a person from a local nanny agency and it worked out great (professional clown, great with kids, excellent references, etc)

I used to do this. Clear BGC, non-smoker, CPR trained, plenty of professional references. It was easy money.

Now, as a parent, I would absolutely check at least 3-4 references, a phone interview then meet and greet before first date if possible, or have sitter come over 30 min before to go over routine, etc and-probably not possible when on vacation- but have a camera in the home.

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.

I'm a NP but I wouldn't do this either, and not because I think the sitter would do anything "wrong." It just feels a little too... inhumane or callous are too strong, but certainly too laissez faire for me to leave a 6-month-old with a stranger under these circumstances. Like just because they'll be "okay" and survive and won't remember it, IDK... it doesn't sit well with me. And again-- I literally don't think the sitter would do anything wrong, bad, neglectful, abusive, even just subpar. I'm sure said sitter would be a lovely person. But still.

I would hire a babysitter to help out with the older kids instead of the baby if you need extra help. The babysitter could help look after the older kids, and you and DH can take turns staying home with the baby when that's needed. You'll probably have more than one car assuming the number of people there (?), so maybe you can go to the beach and try it and then go home if the baby gets cranky.

Also, don't stress about keeping the baby on a schedule while you're there. If the baby misses a nap and gets cranky, it's fine. It's just be for a little while, and the baby might be distracted with all the stuff going on. Your parents might also be able to help more with the older kids than the baby.

I wouldn’t do this.

One parent takes the other two kids to the beach. The other stays back with the baby.

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.

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).

My cousin who is a retired teacher does this via a professional nanny agency. She gets $25/hr for 2 kids, more for 3 etc. I don't know what the client pays an agency.

She lives in a high-end resort town. All the sitters at the agency are retired teachers, current teachers, or education students at the local university. All have CPR, background checks, etc. Clients also tip (well), so she really enjoys the job. My cousin is a night owl so she takes the clients who like late evenings out.

Anonymous wrote:I have hired a sitter on vacation - it was a resort town and we were there for a wedding. I Contacted a local high-end nanny agency. I ended up paying $25-30/hr, but it was worth it to have an experienced, professional childcare provider. The person we got was a preschool teacher who babysat on the weekends for extra money.

+1. See if there is a local nanny agency who does short-term placements. They should have access to high quality and vetted sitters. Hope you find someone and good luck!

I have hired a sitter on vacation - it was a resort town and we were there for a wedding. I Contacted a local high-end nanny agency. I ended up paying $25-30/hr, but it was worth it to have an experienced, professional childcare provider. The person we got was a preschool teacher who babysat on the weekends for extra money.

We are currently at the beach. My husband is on a whale watch boat ride with my two older kids and the grandparents. I am home with the baby. This is probably how the week will go. But, the older kids will have fun and get to spend time with the grandparents, and I will get some good baby snuggle time in.

I would not unless the recommendation came from someone I knew had used them personally.

If you put the baby down for a nap won't the Grandparents watch him one day, and let you know when he wakes up. I am assuming they can watch him sleep if not awake?
I would take turns with my spouse and let the baby take the odd stroller or car nap.

We are going away with my parents next week and will be renting a house in a beach town. We have a 5 year old, 3.5 year old and a 6 month old. Given that my parents are not so helpful with the kids and the baby is on a totally different schedule than the older two (who don't nap), I was thinking it might make sense to hire a local sitter to stay home with the baby for a few hours a couple of the days so we can take the kids to the beach and other local activities and not have to worry about the baby being in the sun, not napping, etc. The baby is not so great on the go - doesn't nap, has trouble eating when distracted, gets cranky when she doesn't nap, etc).

The person who we rented the house from gave me a couple names (although they have grown kids and have not used either sitter and don't know much about them). Spoke to one sitter who seems nice and I asked for a reference, which she is apparently working to get me. That said, now I am feeling really nervous about leaving the baby with a total stranger given the crazy world we live in and since we're in random town.

I am curious... would you hire a sitter in this situation or no way? Any precautions I should take to fully vet the person beyond a reference? I do use sitters at home so not sure why I am so anxious about this now.