AIBU?
AIBU to cancel the babysitter?
Babysitterwoe · 25/07/2017 08:48
We arranged to meet a new babysitter this morning and have her watch our DD for a few hours. 20 minutes before the agreed time we receive a text saying she'll be 10-15 minutes late...not ideal, but fair enough?
She's now 45 minutes late, no answers to phone call or text. WIBU to say don't bother (will tell a white lie saying we have an appointment so need to go out so it won't work now as she's too late). The truth is of course we want someone reliable that will turn up at least vaguely on time, I can't figure out whether I'm being incredibly rude to cancel like this and should give her the benefit of the doubt? So disappointed as having a difficult pregnancy and desperately hoped we'd found someone reliable 
.
aaaaargghhhhelpme · 25/07/2017 08:55
Id cancel. You'll never relax and fully trust her after this. Say you have a hospital appointment and need to go at a certain time - you'll be stressing about if she turns up on time/at all
Where did you find her? Can you post on a local Facebook page for recommendations? second the idea of getting a nursery nurse too - that worked out well for a lot of our friends
luckylucky24 · 25/07/2017 08:55
Is this the first time you have met her?
I would cancel and I wouldn't even make up an excuse. "Sorry but we are withdrawing our request for childcare due to such poor timekeeping. We are uncomfortable with lateness, especially on a first day." She needs to know it is not okay. You are doing her no favours by lying to her.
Leaspr · 25/07/2017 08:58
Cancel. You already feel unsure about her and she isn't even there yet. It wouldn't exactly fill me with confidence that she is non-contactable and half an hour late on top of what she said she'd be. If she can't even time manage effectively then I'd be worried she wasn't competent enough to look after my child. The fact she hasn't contacted you herself to apologise profusely would be enough for me.
Would you feel comfortable now going out and leaving her with your child?
Babysitterwoe · 25/07/2017 08:58
Thanks for the replies. 15 minutes would absolutely be fine with me too. It's been almost an hour now so we've cancelled. Feel incredibly guilty for some reason though!
2014newme, no don't worry, not leaving her with a random stranger! Our plan was for both me and DH to meet with her, have a chat and then have her babysit (but I was going to stay home for this trial run - I'll actually be home most of the time the babysitter's here as it's mainly to give me chance to rest).
DirtyChaiLatte · 25/07/2017 08:58
Why do you need to tell a white lie to save her feelings? Without being harsh with her why not just tell her exactly why you're cancelling? That way she'll learn that tardiness isn't acceptable when you're looking for a job.
Having said that, you don't actually know why she's late. There could have been accident etc.
Pengggwn · 25/07/2017 09:02
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
why?To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.