Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

16 month baby alone at home, neighbour with baby monitor

211 replies

hydrangea78 · 19/12/2016 21:19

Neighbour has offered to babysit.
My partner thinks we should put our 16 month old to sleep then let the neighbour babysit from the comfort of her own home (semi-detached property) and just hand her our video monitor. I completely disagree and WWIII has now broken out. AIBU?

OP posts:
Bambooshoots14 · 19/12/2016 21:20

Ooh I don't know. I thought that's an awful idea but I'm not sure why

bumblingmum · 19/12/2016 21:21

NO YANBU! Madeleine McCann scenario!
The neighbour needs to be in the same building as your child.

Sirzy · 19/12/2016 21:21

Yanbu.

If she is happy to babysit in your house fantastic. I don't see why you would do anything else!

JaniceBattersby · 19/12/2016 21:21

He is absolutely mad. There is no way on God's green earth that that is acceptable or legal.

GreatFuckability · 19/12/2016 21:21

assuming she has a key to get in and the baby moniter is within range, i don't think it would be a major thing. on the other hand, is there a particular reason why the neighbour can't sit in your house?

identityhidden · 19/12/2016 21:22

Oh no, she needs to be in your house definitely.

RedHelenB · 19/12/2016 21:22

If neighbour has agreed to babysit I would imagine that they would expect to come to yours.

MsPavlichenko · 19/12/2016 21:22

No. He is, and to be honest this is something I'd find really disturbing in a DP.

YoScienceBitch · 19/12/2016 21:22

My neighbour pops round to mine sometimes in the evening and brings her baby monitor. My kitchen is right underneath her kids bedroom though.

Bluntness100 · 19/12/2016 21:22

Seriously, why would he even suggest this? If she's happy to be in your home why would you leave your child alone and have her with a monitor, that's crazy.

d270r0 · 19/12/2016 21:22

No not good. Neighbour can stay in the comfort of YOUR home and babysit. If they've offered they surely don't mind. Unless your partner doesn't want neighur in yur house as doesn't trust them in which case you would be vvu to let them babysit at all.

MissClarke86 · 19/12/2016 21:23

Do you want social services knocking at your door? Video monitor or not, that is a very young child unsupervised at home.

JumpingJellybeanz · 19/12/2016 21:23

YANBU but I also can't quite figure out why. It just feels all sorts of wrong.

Crumbs1 · 19/12/2016 21:23

Not sure it would be lawful.

cbigs · 19/12/2016 21:23

I guess it like the 'baby sitting' service in some hotels ... but it's not ideal and I wouldn't do it tbh.

Passmethecrisps · 19/12/2016 21:23

No! Think of the time taken for her to hear a sound, decide to go in, leave her own house and then into yours. Even if the front doors are right next to each other I would be very uncomfortable.

If neighbour is happy in your sitting room then that is where she sits surely

Figgygal · 19/12/2016 21:23

Absolutely awful idea!! What if there's a fire for starters

Soubriquet · 19/12/2016 21:23

I can't see the major issue if the monitor works perfectly and she's just next door BUT she has offered to babysit. Surely she would expect to be your house

Cathster · 19/12/2016 21:24

YANBU. I definitely wouldn't - - no chance would I leave the house unlocked without the neighbour in the house, nor would I lock my child in alone, regardless of if she was sleeping!

What harm is it if the neighbour is in your home? Surely for a few hours it's not an issue, especially if they've offered?

Bambooshoots14 · 19/12/2016 21:24

But why is it such a bad idea? It would be no different than being in a larger house downstairs? Unlocking the door would take seconds

RedHelenB · 19/12/2016 21:24

Don't think the Macans had a video monitor!

DontTouchTheMoustache · 19/12/2016 21:24

What's the point? Is your house so awful she can't sit in it for a few hours? I wouldn't do it, as PP said in the unlikely event of a break in or even a fire she wouldn't know until too late. Unlikely isn't impossible.

ragz134 · 19/12/2016 21:24

Instinct says no. However, if neighbour is next door then is it much different to leaving baby indoors and you being at end of the garden or other end of a very big house? However, if there were a fire or some other building related emergency that may not be obvious on a monitor...
Neighbour will probably find it an odd suggestion though.

Daisyfrumps · 19/12/2016 21:24

HIBU. The neighbour should be warmly invited into your home and partake of the cookies and treats that your partner has laid out for her. As if she should stay in her own house! If I was her I'd report him to SS for making such a suggestion!

I assume he was joking..

heyheyhey15 · 19/12/2016 21:25

Crazy to even consider that idea Confused