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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU? Babysitters

305 replies

YourPinkBeaker · 14/04/2025 22:02

I'll preface this by saying I don't think IABU.

Why do so many people trot out the 'hire a babysitter' line whenever people complain about parental burnout? Are people really doing this?

My child attends nursery and that feels difficult enough in terms of trusting strangers with my children - and that is with multiple trained professionals and widespread CCTV. Are people really finding strangers on the Internet and letting them into their homes to mind their children?!

I feel like our kids are young for such a short period of time and we can survive without an evening out together for a few years.

We have 0 childcare options outside of nursery, and until my kid is old enough to stay over with family (school aged/when they can consent and ask for sleepovers) my thinking is that we just don't get to go out and socialise together at night. That's the compromise I feel like we have to make. I just can't imagine farming my kid out to someone from a bloody website and given the judgemental takes on this site from people about daycare, I can't believe others are too. The only exception I couldnimagine is if your childminder offered babysitting services - outside of that rare option, are people really doing this?

OP posts:
YourPinkBeaker · 14/04/2025 22:18

Carriemac · 14/04/2025 22:11

Id say the divorce rate from this odd thinking that you are the only person that can mind your child is very high.

Parents being the only people to care for very young children is a weird idea? Really? I'm not talking forever - we have dates and will book AL when our child is at nursery. When she is old enough to understand being away from home (and we have family who feel able to babysit) we would be happy to let her be cared for. It would be different if we had close family who could offer regular care but we don't... I just don't think strangers are a viable option.

@BallerinaRadio really?! I don't know anyone who was babysat by anyone other than family and I don't know anyone who has used a paid.for babysitter

OP posts:
OatFlatWhiteForMe · 14/04/2025 22:17

I think each to their own, if you don’t want to ask family to babysit or employ someone that’s your choice. It’s not reasonable to judge others though.

BallerinaRadio · 14/04/2025 22:13

Babysitters have been used for decades, our kids aren't any more precious now than they were 20 years ago

Carriemac · 14/04/2025 22:11

Id say the divorce rate from this odd thinking that you are the only person that can mind your child is very high.

Passmeaplacard · 14/04/2025 22:06

Some of the younger nursery staff will do babysitting so we’ve done that before but otherwise it’s only been close family members. Personally I wouldn’t want a babysitter as such until my daughter was a lot older