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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want a babysitter from sitters.co.uk to sit with baby in a cafe?

23 replies

Rafterplease · 07/08/2014 12:27

For a friend's birthday, my husband and I have been asked to go rafting at the new Lee Valley white water centre, the one that was used in the canoe polo for the Olympics. We were both really keen to do it, and so I have tried to find childcare for our baby.

The centre is a couple of hours' journey from home, and the rafting itself will take a couple of hours, so rather than get a sitter to stay home with the baby for many hours, I contacted sitters.co.uk to see if we could get a local (to the Lee Valley) sitter to come and meet us at the white water centre and sit with the baby for a couple of hours while we raft. However, they have said they can only provide sitters for private houses or hotels, as "we can't expect sitter to take care of a baby in a public place." Basically implying this was an unreasonable request.

Obviously sitters.co.uk can run their business however they like, but I'm interested to know whether others think it is unreasonable!

Some other relevant facts

I called the Lee Valley white water centre to check, and they do have a cafe with baby changing facilities
I'd be happy to pay a minimum charge eg 3 hours even if it is actually shorter than this
I'd also be happy to buy the sitter lunch in the cafe!

As it stands, either my husband or I will have to miss out on the rafting and hold the baby. (You can't switch in and out - we asked.) Not the end of the world but a pity.

OP posts:

MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom · 07/08/2014 12:28

It's probably insurance-related.

Goldmandra · 07/08/2014 12:31

Is it at a weekend?

If so, why not contact some childminders local to the centre and ask if they would do it as a one off?

juneybean · 07/08/2014 12:33

This is something I would and have done in the past. However I don't think I'm anywhere near you!

Original poster

Rafterplease · 07/08/2014 12:33

That's a good idea goldmandra (and a good point moomin - may well be).

How would I find the childminders - on the council website?

OP posts:

flowery · 07/08/2014 12:34

"As it stands, either my husband or I will have to miss out on the rafting and hold the baby"

Why? Just book a sitter local to your house and get them to look after baby for the day.

Thumbcat · 07/08/2014 12:41

There's a Travelodge not far from the rafting centre so you could book a room there for the sitter to use. It does seem a bit long winded though. I'd do a search for childminders in Waltham Cross/Waltham Abbey/Cheshunt and see if you can find someone direct.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 07/08/2014 12:47

Why does the baby have to come to the venue? Are they exclusively breastfed (the only reason I can think if tbh)?

Original poster

Rafterplease · 07/08/2014 13:04

Yes, exclusively breastfed. Plus, I guess, she is our first, we are both back at work (I am pumping) and we want to spend as much time with her as possible at the weekend!

OP posts:

ChangeIsNear · 07/08/2014 13:10

Rafter, I've sent you a PM

Cheebame · 07/08/2014 13:32

"we want to spend as much time with her as possible at the weekend!"

Don't go rafting then?

(feel harsh saying that, but it's AIBU - someone has to be harsh)

OwlinaTree · 07/08/2014 13:35

Probably sounds daft but could you bring a friend or grandparent with you to hold the baby?

MrsWinnibago · 07/08/2014 13:35

I agree with Chee unless you can find a relative to go along, then you can't go rafting really.

OwlinaTree · 07/08/2014 13:37

I mean daft as in you have probably already considered it!

Lonecatwithkitten · 07/08/2014 13:37

The issue is insurance whilst in your home public liability is covered by your household insurance. In a hotel their insurance will cover it.
In another business they are unlikely to be covered by the businesses insurance this why nannies are advised to get their own insurance and the same for childminders.

You may have more joy if you contact a nanny agency whose emergency nannies will have insurance to cover this. Though you are probably looking at £150 for that.

Modan · 07/08/2014 13:41

Hi, Im a registered childminder and live about 10 minutes from Lea Valley. pm me with the date and times and I'll see if I can do it for you if you cant find anyone else.

Laquitar · 07/08/2014 14:54

Can i just saying that paying min 3 hours is not something extra , you have to pay minimum hours anyway. Noone would come for 2 hours pay.
Even 3 hours is quite short, many babysitters charge 4 hours minimum.
The same applies to lunch- of course you have to pay it, you dont expect her to spent her own money at the cafe.
In order to find someone good a.d experiencef you will have to offer something attractive.

Callaird · 07/08/2014 15:05

I'll do it! I'm a nanny, 28 years sole charge experience with babies from 3 weeks. First aid trained, CRB checked.

Of course I'd want more money per hour than a babysitter from sitters. I'd also want travelling time (SW London)

However, there are lots of nannies in that area. Maybe put an ad on Gumtree for a local nanny.

And jeez, I didn't realise that once you had a baby, you had to give up your life! It's a couple of hours doing something fun while someone minds her baby. If she left baby at home it'd be 5+ hours without her. With baby at the same location it also means that they can socialise with their friends afterwards, rather than dashing home to spend quality time with her. Baby will love the social situation and meeting the friends.

Perspective21 · 07/08/2014 15:08

I'm just wondering who looks after your baby while you work? Would they know someone who could do it in your home? In my son's nursery, many of the child care assistants have little business cards with their details and provide babysitting services evenings and weekends for a little extra cash.

I've not used them personally, but know people who have and they've worked out well.

If I was looking after your baby (been SAHP to three) I'd rather be in baby's house with familiar things ( toys/books/food) that you know your baby likes. I wouldn't want to look after anyone's baby in a cafe for a few hours! At home the sitter can wander room to room and change the scene and selection of toys more easily, especially useful for a mobile, older baby who will want to crawl about.

If you really want to do this, leave your baby at home, I think she'll have a better day there than sitting with effectively a stranger, in a strange place!!

At least if she's on home ground, she may not mind who looks after her. By the way, will she notice the carer is not familiar and mind? Younger children do better with someone they know a bit.

Cheebame · 07/08/2014 15:21

"And jeez, I didn't realise that once you had a baby, you had to give up your life!"

Well, you kind of do, in a way. It changes everything. All of a sudden, someone else is more important than you and your partner.

My comment about not going rafting was, however, based on the OPs claim to want to spend "as much time with her as possible at the weekend" - if that is the case, you want to spend time with the baby rather than rafting, so don't go.

ICanSeeTheSun · 07/08/2014 15:27

If I was closer I would watch the baby in exchange for some time rafting while you are taking a break

Goldmandra · 07/08/2014 15:31

Cheebame rather enjoys a bunfight and is best ignored.

OP, this link might help you find a childminder. Some nurseries might allow you to approach one of their staff although some have rules against this so you'd have to fish around.

Cheebame · 07/08/2014 15:32

It's AIBU, Goldmandra :)

Laquitar · 07/08/2014 15:59

Doing something fun for few hours when you are a parent is not a big deal but i can see why Chee posted that, it was the op's wording.

Perspective21 makes good points. It is easy for strangers here to say how easy peasy is going to be. And it might be. But it might be a nightmare for the sitter and for the people in the cafe.
Will she be able to take the pram and go for a walk if the baby cries?

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