You don't really have any idea what this family's situation is.

Perhaps it's just a smart solution to a crazy day. Maybe it's a brutal solution to some awful scenario. (I spent one thanksgiving in an ICU w/ a dying relative. No children were allowed.)

Your judgment speaks more poorly of you than anyone else.

Your family sounds remarkably functional and tolerant of young children, OP. Not everyone's is.

Anonymous wrote:Some couples need to be sterilized. Why even have kids if you're going to stick them in a room with a sitter when the holidays come? Unbelievable

An infant doesn't know a holiday is happening.

I used to live far from family and over Thanksgiving would pet-sit while others went on vacations or to visit family, and loved scoring babysitting gigs on holidays.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were great times to earn money.

Which agency do you work with OP? I do on calls with my agency but annoyed how fast jobs are taken (literally in seconds) and not enough during the week. Thanks in advance.

Anonymous wrote:only $20?

That's my normal rate. For a major holiday at least 30 per hour.

Double time and 6 hour minimum for major holiday.

Is the family hosting Thanksgiving for their relatives? That's a lot of work getting the turkey in the oven, the house in order, setting up the tables and buffet, and then you still need to be a good host and hostess. That means making sure everything runs smoothly, people get drinks, and mingling with your guests. Hard to do with an infant.

only $20?

That's my normal rate. For a major holiday at least 30 per hour.

Anonymous wrote:I assume the baby will come out for a meet-and-greet at some point, but otherwise will need naps, maybe has colic, who knows? Maybe the parents want to play football with family. There are plenty of reasons that having someone else care for the baby would make Thanksgiving more relaxed.

A babysitter for naps? Lol ok guess they can afford a sitter but not a monitor. And a family like this I pretty much doubt they are going to play football.

I assume the baby will come out for a meet-and-greet at some point, but otherwise will need naps, maybe has colic, who knows? Maybe the parents want to play football with family. There are plenty of reasons that having someone else care for the baby would make Thanksgiving more relaxed.

Some couples need to be sterilized. Why even have kids if you're going to stick them in a room with a sitter when the holidays come? Unbelievable

I used to work holidays. I lived too far from my own family during college to go home for both TG and winter break, and it usually paid really well.

Some people would rather not have to deal with their kids, so they hire a sitter.

Kind of like how kids used to be raised by some wealthy families. Wet nurse, nanny, governess. Trot the kids out at the appropriate time and then send them back.

They can ask anything they want. Doesn't mean they'll get it if no one thinks it's reasonable. Someone might be desperate enough for cash to do it or want an "out" from visiting their own family. Yeah the pay is lousy for a major holiday but like I said, they can ask for whatever they want.

I was so surprised and a bit tickled that my agency sent out a notice for one of our families that is looking to hire someone on turkey day. The email said they expect the nanny to care for the infant baby from hours 11am- 5pm during dinner and family visiting and pay is $20 per hour. Wth? Like what sort of family could this even be where the dad can't help with the baby if the mom is cooking and preparing and neither parent can be bothered with their infant because they would rather socialize? I would think the visiting family members would also lend a hand and then that pay is horrible for such a holiday.

Yes I know no one has to accept the job if they don't want but I find this atrocious and yes I am judging them. It said nothing of a disability etc being in the family and the agency is usually very thorough with listing need to know info for prospects.

I am just shaking my head.