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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AWBU to be nervous about using Sitters?

33 replies

Bogeyface · 30/06/2014 21:53

I know a lot of people do as they have no choice but I have never had a babysitter that I havent been related to (mainly my 2 older children from the age of 16 as they were desperate for the cash!).

But we now have a week away, just H and me with DD who is 3. The others are with their dad for a holiday that week.

We would like to go out for dinner on our own once that week but have never used Sitters before. Are they really that good? Can we relax (har har, I know I wont!) when we are out? Are they really CRB checked to the max? We are both in two minds. Part of us is saying "They are checked, safe, DD never wakes for less than a direct bomb blast and it will be nice for us" and the other part is saying "What if something happens? Best not to risk it"

6 kids and this has never come up before!

OP posts:

Shakey1500 · 30/06/2014 21:54

Eek I don't know either. Where are you going? Is it like a Thompson resort type affair?

Groovee · 30/06/2014 21:55

I would be nervous using them as it's always been family who have babysat for us before. I don't think being nervous is unreasonable for the unknown.

Doodleloomoo · 30/06/2014 21:56

If you know you won't relax, then what's the point?

BeeBlanket · 30/06/2014 22:00

Our experience of them has been good, but over time you get to know particular sitters and ask for the same ones back. I have to admit I feel less comfortable if it's a "new" one for us, and we don't tend to use them when away from home. But, they have always been good, professional and nice.

Doodleloomoo · 30/06/2014 22:00

Sorry, posted too soon..

I don't know about their credentials, but I'm sure it'd be fine and plenty do it. I never would myself because I know I would never relax (which defeats the point).

Enjoy your holiday.

Original poster

Bogeyface · 30/06/2014 22:03

If you know you won't relax, then what's the point?

Well thats the question isnt it?! I think I would be ok, but would probably ring every hour or so (and would warn the sitter in advance!). We wouldnt be far away, less than 15 minutes on foot.

We are staying in a self catering apartment with the owners in the same building.

It is the fear of the unknown, and something I probably have to get over!

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Original poster

Bogeyface · 30/06/2014 22:07

I am registering on the site for more info, if I say they were personally recommended then we both get up to £6 booking fee off the cost.

Does anyone want me to put them down as a recommendation?!

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jendot2 · 30/06/2014 22:08

I used to work for Sitters. I was very well vetted and had all my references checked, crb, 1st aid and insurance.
I would use them for my children.

Original poster

Bogeyface · 30/06/2014 22:11

Thank you jen thats very reassuring :)

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sausagefortea · 30/06/2014 22:13

We use them and have always found them great. Maybe we lucked out with the first sitter we had who was just fabulous and was so warm and genuine with our kids, putting us all at ease. Others have been more 'just babysitters' but I've always felt very comfortable with them.

kilburnfrenchie · 30/06/2014 22:22

I have used them several times- including on a day when my childminder couldn't have DD on account of snottiness. Total stranger looked after snotty baby for 6 hours while I was at work and DD was absolutely fine. Their people are checked, have childcare experience and are nice normal people who like children and enjoy working with them. If you ask them they will text you & let you know all is well. Frankly- my teenage niece who also babysits some times might be family but knows less about kids than most sitters people!

Assuming basic criteria are met which I feel they are with Sitters, then it is much more to do with how you feel about it than anything else.

LadyCelia · 30/06/2014 23:44

I've heard great reports of Sitters from my friends, but when I decided to book through them for an evening babysitting, I was shocked by the attitude of the lady I spoke to after booking. All I wanted was some details of the Sitter coming to babysit, her experience etc, & what would happen in an emergency and in return I got a text telling me her name and the time she would arrive. When I called back to ask for more details before confirming the booking, I was told to basically take it or leave it, so I left it. I'm sure the Sitters themselves are brilliant, but the booking people just put me right off.

loona13 · 30/06/2014 23:51

I also worked for Sitters, and one of my references (they had phone number to my prev employer) did not sound like something she would say at all. Every sitter has a profile, and you can read recommendations there from employers. For me it looks like they wrote it themselves :-(

BrianTheMole · 30/06/2014 23:53

Same here LadyCelia. It put me off too.

Longtalljosie · 30/06/2014 23:57

We have no nearby family and have used Sitters for 4 years. The first time it felt a bit odd but as soon as you meet them (they're usually nurses, nannies, childminders or nursery nurses) you feel totally reassured.

Original poster

Bogeyface · 01/07/2014 00:00

Ah, well the phone line people will love me then because I registered with the address we will be at so I could look at the profiles of the sitters! So I have to change the address AND explain that we will be on hols AND be a first time PITA!

I think we should probably make the decision on how helpful the phone call is!

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Superworm · 01/07/2014 00:01

We used sitters and had a mixed experience. First lady was amazing and I used her a lot. She was a nanny with years of experience that was retraining into fashion and arts. Lovely woman who was great with DS.

The other lady was miserable old cow that criticised us a lot and didn't interact with DS. She whipped his dinner away before he had the chance to finish and obviously didn't want to be there. Didn't request her again.

If you get a good one they are great.

plinkyplonker · 01/07/2014 00:05

For those of you that have used them with young children (toddler age-ish) how do your DC respond to the Sitter? We have no nearby family and I would love to book an occasional babysitter but I worry my DC would freak out with a random person they hadn't met before.

Original poster

Bogeyface · 01/07/2014 00:10

I would love to book an occasional babysitter but I worry my DC would freak out with a random person they hadn't met before

This is my main fear. They say on the website that the sitter should meet the child etc, but tbh I know DD and if she is asleep first then that would be best as she only wakes for illness and if she was ill we would cancel. She would go completely bursar if we left her to be put to bed by a stranger.

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biscuitsandbandages · 01/07/2014 00:17

Completely bursar

Dried frog pill?

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 01/07/2014 00:22

No - sorry. I just wouldn't do it to go out for a meal.

That's probably just me being weird but I just wouldn't relax so it would be a total waste of money.

Completely understand that sometimes it has to be done for work etc.

Where are you going? Does it have a nice balcony? Could you have room service?

Original poster

Bogeyface · 01/07/2014 00:24

Ermm, yes!

Standard phrase at home that I forget doesnt always get understood by others! My mum used to work in the library in town and I made her a badge that said "Ook!" which she didnt understand but wore anyway. She said that so many people commented on it and loved it!

Going Librarian Poo is another one we use, mainly to avoid swearing!

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Original poster

Bogeyface · 01/07/2014 00:26

Where are you going? Does it have a nice balcony? Could you have room service? No it has a kitchenette and an Asda down the road!

It was a last minute booking so we had to take what we could get. Balconies and room service are pipe dream!

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 01/07/2014 00:37

Would dD sleep in the pram?

Sorry. This is making me all sweaty palmed with nervousness. Therefore, I am not being helpful so will piss off

Original poster

Bogeyface · 01/07/2014 00:44

Sadly not. Have been googling family friendly pubs/restaurants tonight! She is just 3 so we havent used a pram for 18 months, she really would go completely bursar if we strapped her in for the evening :o

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