Is this odd (Christmas related)

[rumidumi]

I am a part of a babysitting agency and received an email a week ago about a potential booking. It was for 10+ children so a few families staying in one big property. They need several babysitters at a time due to so many kids. All fine so far. But the dates are the entire week over Christmas! Including Christmas day!! 9-5 on Christmas day. Apparently parents will be on site. Then why on earth do they need to have babysitters over? I can understand maybe the odd day! But surely with that many adults who won't even be leaving the venue, they can spend time with their children?
I know it's up to the babysitters to accept, but I just think it's so mean spirited to hire babysitters for the whole day over the entire Christmas week! I think working over the main Christmas days should be limited to those who HAVE to work!
Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks this is really sad?!

It does sound strange indeed. Are you all supposed to sit in a room with the children on Xmas day when the parents have had enough/ want to cook or whatever? How much does it pay out of interest? And can you pick your days or you have to do the whole week?

Not everyone celebrates Christmas whether that be due to religious belief or any number of other reasons. What's sad about it? If you don't want the work don't do it.

If it's an agency then no one is making a babysitter take this work so I don't see the problem. Only someone who wants to work it will take it.

Hmm I'm not sure about picking or choosing, I guess so! It was £12 per hour. Then £20 per hour for Christmas day.

silvery you're right. It's not just about it being Christmas though. A bit family getaway and hiring babysitters the entire time. It remind me of the seen and not heard thing from years ago!

No I won't be doing it, like I said!

Very weird indeed. Sad for the children.

Sounds like they need a nanny or au pair not babysitters.

I agree with you btw. It is a weird way to share Christmas with your children.

Plus that money doesn't sound that great to me.

Did they give any details as to the set up? I imagine it’s only feasible to people who have a car/someone willing to drive them on Christmas Day as taxi fares would take a good chunk of the pay.

It gave details of location, times and pay. I've just had another look at the email and it's 16 kids. And it was also £20 per hour for boxing day which I'm guessing is because it's a bank holiday (isn't it?!)

Sorry to clarify, it's a babysitting agency that has qualified people on their books (nannies, nursery workers etc..)

I suppose it may suit some people. But it was the whole Christmas period. Even if you don't celebrate it, going away for a week and hiring other people to play with your children while in the same house is a bit sad that's all!
It's not like they'll even know the babysitters!

Is it so they can drink?

The children will probably be running riot and having numerous fallouts while parents dip in and out. Sounds very strange and not worth the £20 an hour! You’d need a week off to recover.