Babysitters
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40953
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Topic: Babysitters
Posted By: fairy1
Subject: Babysitters
Date Posted: 08 November 2011 at 4:37pm
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When did you first leave your child with someone other than family?
I've organised a babysitter (who I have met once) for tonight and I've started to feel really uneasy about it and don't know if I'm ready to leave him with someone I don't really know. He's been left with family but this just feels different. She's a med student, has loads of experience with babies/children and I work with her boyfriends so I know I can trust her but I still feel funny about it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 08 November 2011 at 4:55pm
I've had to do it since we've moved down where we have no family support and I feel weird about it every time. I think its that my kids aren't anything special to them so maybe they won't take care of them and their quirks. I dunno lol but its been fine every time. Its only ever been when me or DH have been in hospital but thats been quite often lately. I think its normal to feel abit weird but I'm sure it'll be ok  -------------   
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Posted By: kiwigal
Date Posted: 08 November 2011 at 9:43pm
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A friend of mine looked after DS when he was 5.5 this was the first time we left our special needs child with someone other than family as we were bringing DD home from the hospital. Dh and I went out for the night when the kids were 6 and 10 months they did really well and had our numbers if there were any problems. |
Posted By: NovemberMum
Date Posted: 08 November 2011 at 10:07pm
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first time my daughter was 2 and that was when I went into labour with my son
2nd time for my birthday earlier this year I prefer to leave my children with someone I have known for a while ad who my children both know. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 08 November 2011 at 10:12pm
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We have only left them with our mums or my niece or one of their daycare teachers. Cos we have the option to use their teachers if our mums are not available, we've never had to pay another babysitter they don't know. I would be fine with it with DS (4) maybe but wouldn't be if it was just DD (2). I'm sure they'd be fine though, we just haven't had to. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: buzylizy
Date Posted: 10 November 2011 at 10:20am
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as long as you have recommendations for the babysitter that would be fine. If you can use the same person again and again then your child will get to know them and would be happy with them. I am also guessing that the earler they get used to them the better as my son was too old when I tried it and he didn't want the stranger looking after him.
Perhaps get them to come and look after him/her for a couple of hours while you are around so you can see what they are like with them if they have to change nappies etc. It will be fine. You need a reliable babysitter in your life or you will go mad. I don't have one and I am regretting it every day. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Flossie
Date Posted: 10 November 2011 at 12:09pm
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Have only ever left DD with family and in that its only been my mum/dad or MIL not even siblings - oh except for an hour on one occasion with my brother. I have had lots of offers from family friends kids who have now turned 14 but I just dont feel comfortable at all about it and have not really had to consider it anyway as family is always keen ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: fairy1
Date Posted: 10 November 2011 at 9:30pm
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Thanks everyone. I only have siblings in Wellington and they can't look after him often (my sister refuses after a bad experience and my brother will only do it if ds will be asleep as he's not comfortable with nappies etc) so we do need someone. I ended up having to cancel anyway as ds was sick but have rebooked for Sunday. I know she's responsible and I work with her boyfriend so I know she is trustworthy so I think I just have to suck it if I want to be able to go out. Wish our daycare providers were available but the contract says they can't babysit. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 22 November 2011 at 10:33pm
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I only generally ask my friends or family. More so my friends, who have children and are around my children at least a little. That way I can relax if I ever go out. And DP's family suck, so I'm never asking them again!
I babysit myself. But it seems there's not much of a demand for paid babysitting. Around where I live, from the mum's I've talked to, who are all in their 40's. They generally have friends with teenagers, who charge less then people who advertise, so they just use them. Or they do a babysitting club, where they look after one another's children and in exchange, have their friends return the favour, all free of charge. I don't know if you are on the Yummy Mummy Club FB group, but they have that, if you're open to that. I can give you the link for that group if you like. Hope that helps -------------   
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Posted By: escadachic
Date Posted: 22 November 2011 at 10:36pm
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I've left Annabelle with my friend about 5 times, for a few hours when I've had appointments. I've only had her looked after for 5hrs by a friend recently while we went out for half the night. So generally, I just have her 24/7.
With Sophie, it was mostly just family who looked after her and on occasions a friend. And the first and only time I've paid for a babysitter for her was when she was 5yrs old. -------------
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Posted By: mizpix
Date Posted: 23 November 2011 at 9:35am
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I've used friends and even some of my customers as babysitters for ages.Alex was about 6 weeks old when I first left him. I've never used a teenager though, always people that have had their own kids as my thought is that they have more experience.He's had 3 or 4 one night stay overs at the sitters no problem at all ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2920e5" rel="nofollow - My Ovulation Chart |