to hire a babysitter for a few hours

[GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick]

I am not sure if this would be creepy!! Never used one of the online babysitting services before, but my friend uses sitter.co.uk a lot and says they are brilliant.

Background: So I work fulltime and DP is a SAHD. DD is 16 months old. We have no parents or other family nearby to help out - the nearest is 200 miles away and in his late 70's - and whilst we have lots of friends, they have their own kids and most of them are at work when I am.

This week DP and I have been properly poorly with a really nasty cold. It's been grim for me at work, but I have my own office and I can shut the door with a Lemsip and die over my paperwork. DP, on the other hand, is stuck with a lively active demanding 1 year old, and nobody to help. There is no way I can take time off as my diary is jam packed with Court hearings and meetings etc.

So, WIBU to hire a sitter for a few hours to watch the baby in the lounge/her room whilst DP has a much needed sleep in the bedroom? He's the nicest, most gentle man, but some part of me thinks that a sitter might find it a bit weird! I just can't think how else to help him when something like this happens. I haven't suggested it to DP, so he might not like the idea anyway, but what would the vipers do?

Why not? If he could hold out till the weekend get a sitter on Saturday so you can both have a mornings sleep!

If you have the money go for it, I would.

The idea crossed my mind a couple of times when I was on mat leave (we have no family/friend support either) but couldn't really justify it financially.

I did have on my 'pro's' list however that getting to know a babysitter would be a positive.

Do it. I work from home and use sitters.co.uk when I have a rush job on.

Sounds like a really thoughtful idea. I'm sure if you explained the reason for your DP staying at home (in bed) while the sitter is there, they would understand and not find it creepy.

I think that's lovely op. I'm sure you'd find an experienced sitter who wouldn't find that strange at all if you look on one of the childcare sites.

Great, thanks all. He is the least creepy guy in the world, but I just wasn't sure how it would come across as I've never used them before.

The idea of booking an early morning sitter and having a few hours for both of us to sleep sounds sooooo much better than any fantasy about what to do in bed that I may have had in my 20's.........!

I would. I signed up to emergencychildcare.co.uk for that reason and the people that have come around have been lovely.

That's an excellent idea and once you and DD have got to know them you could book them for evening babysitting and have a night out

i'd do that - actually I've got a lovely wonderful babysitter who will take the darlings to softplay and wear them out whilst I rest at home. Can you ask for someone who'll take the DD to softplay? Maybe you wouldn't trust them on the first visit without a personal recommendation (this person was highly recommended) but if you like them, I'd aim for that. 4 hours of someone wearing out your children at the weekend at softplays/parks etc is wonderful. My DH travels a lot at weekends and it has helped a lot in the past.

bored that sounds amazing to me right now

I'm a nanny and often get asked to do babysitting jobs like this! Not creepy at all! Do it!

it's amazing - this is the type of babysitting worth paying for and building up a relationship with. I've even been on 2 nights away with my DH and although it cost ££, it was worth every penny as we'd otherwise never get away on our own.

That is sensible and not remotely 'creepy'.

DD often babysits for friends through the day whilst they are packing for hols/shopping/sleeping/going to the gym or any of the other things that are not easy with a toddler in tow.

As he is still in the house, it will help to build your confidence if you are not sure of letting someone else babysit. Once you are happy with babysitter I second having an evening out!!

Hope you feel better soon.