to worry about sitter

[Flojo1979]

Ok having a melt down, just burst in to tears, not sure why properly.
Other than I've got sitters.co.uk lady coming later for the first time and suddenly I'm really anxious.
A complete stranger, in my home, with my babies (7&3 yo) what was I thinking?
Date due any minute and I'm crying.
Help!

I don't know Flo, what WERE you thinking?

Were you thinking, hmmm, where can i get a reliable babysitter that will be CRB checked and regulated?

Why do you need the babysitter? are you going somewhere nice? or somewhere you NEED to go?

All seems perfectly reasonable to me. If i needed to use a babysitter i'd much rather go for someone from a reputable compay than my friend's next-door neighbours neice, which is what some parents do! It will be fine!

Oh, most people would be a bit worried when leaving their child with someone who is a stranger.

But Whatnow is right. You are using a reputable company who regulates their employees.

I hope you have a lovely evening with your date.

I'm going out to see a band, no medical emergency.
Selfish selfish mum, putting some date before my DCs.

Don't worry about it!

Go and have fun and enjoy yourself Flo x

Make sure your mascara hasn't ran too :o

Get a grip, are you saying anyone using this service is selfish?

Arghh no not everyone! Just me :(
Point taken.
I'm sure the stress I've had all day far out ways the night out anyway.

We use sitters.co.uk ALL the time. And have always to date had good experiences. Sometimes I have to work late, sometimes I have a doctors appointment and sometimes we just feel like going out for dinner! It's fine to do, it's a sensible judgement call around who is best to look after your children (which happens to be shared by thousands of other parents if you find that reassuring) and its sometimes necessary for sanity to prioritise your needs. Now enjoy your evening.

It's normal to feel like this the first time and gets easier.

I hope you enjoy your night out.

And do ignore Bobyan who clearly has no empathy, what a rude post that was.

I think Bobyan was just trying to point out that the OP is judging herself way more harshly than she would someone else in her position.

Have a nice night out OP :)

Well there are nicer ways of pointing out without saying 'get a grip'

Bobyan harsh or what

Ah, hush now OP - am Go and enjoy the band knowing that you have left your children with soeone who has been checked out. They will probably have almost as much fun as you. Selfish mum, my arse!

Hey fellow Flo! I'm sure you are more than deserving of a fab night out. You'd have been anxious no matter whose capable hands you left you dc in, so don't fret too much and have fun!

Hi, you really do need to stop worrying. I work for Sitters.co.uk. I am 40 and a mum of 3 boys and am a perfectly normal family minded person. I work with kids on a daily basis and am fully trained. Sitters only take on people who have enough up to date experience and we are all fully CRB checked.

Most of us do it to raise a bit more income and we enjoy looking after your children (makes a change from our own).

If you really are worried spend some time with your sitter before you go. How does he/she react to your children, and they to her? If one of your children is a bit unsettled when you leave, you can ring the sitter or the sitter can ring or text you.

I always text mum if she is at all worried, it helps them stop them worrying.

We all deserve some time off now and then. Go out and enjoy it, your children will still be there when you get home and will probably tell you all about it when they get up in the morning.

I used Sitters for the first time two months ago. Felt a bit strange on the day too, but it all went really really well. Was really impressed by the babysitter. They will phone you an hour before they're supposed to arrive, and as soon as I spoke to her on phone I felt reassured.

See how it goes. I'm sure everything will be absolutely fine and you'll be able to enjoy a whole new social life.

keep phoning up every 10 minutes to see every thing is ok

I also used to work for sitters and am a registered childminder and ordinary mother! I don't believe that you have any reason to worry! i used to enjoy the time away from my family for a bit to do some course work or reading or paperwork etc.

Honestly and truly, don't worry! Call the sitter after an hour or so and ask her (presumably it will be a her) to text you.

Now go out and have a lovely date!!

I second a PP's comment re next door neighbour's 15 yr old niece! By the way, when I was vetted, I found out that Sitters HAD contacted all my references and HAD checked with OFSTED that I was registered as a CM. Also, I had to answer some questions about what the common signs of meningitis are, what I would do in XYZ situation and so on. It is a very thorough checking procedure!

Will they collect the little darlings from school for you, bring them home, feed them and keep them occupied until you get there?

Curious about babysitting services - do your sitters (from agencies) put your DC to bed and do your DC settle for them?

where we get the same sitter regularly and the kids are familiar with them and like them, then I might be ok about asking them to do bedtime (and pay a bigger tip as a thank you). When it's a new person we generally book a late start time so we know the kids will be in bed when they arrive.

I actually I no idea you could do this! How could I not know you can hire a babysitter from an agency? Do and I haven't been out on our own for over 3 years. OP, hope you have a great night out, from the replies you've had sounds like your dcs are in good hands!