to wonder why on the back of the madeline McGann 'incident' places like butlins still ofer a baby sitting service....

[LowFatMilkshake]

So parents can leave thier children in thier apartments and go out for the evening?!

I am only asking this because I have been watching the cinema thread about MM and this though cropped up.

we are staying at Butlins in Sept and I was told about this service by an aunt.

[Greensleeves]

Oh Lord, if you're going to start yet ANOTHER bloody thread on this, at least have the decency to spell it right, FGS

[howdydoody]

But LFMS Butlins KNOWS children may be left alone - witholding this service means children are more likely to be left vulnerable so at least they are doing something to stop that. Cant see Butlins are doing a bad thing myself

[madamez]

Because, despite the scaremongering by tabloids and the last 10 years of a Govt determined to terrify people into dumb bovine submission to authority, abduction of children by strangers is still incredibly rare.
Statistically, children are far more likely to be murdered by their own parents or grandparents than abducted by strangers. Perhaps parents who get out of the house more and have enjoyable lives are less likely to crack and smother their infants than the ones who have been driven demented by the pressure to be utterly self-sacrificing perfect parents? WHo knows?

[LowFatMilkshake]

Thank you greensleeves I have been corrected!

[zubin]

Have just come back from butlins and not sure they do offer this service anymore actually and not as a result of this case think they stopped ages ago

[lunavix]

Uh


two years ago I went to Butlins, and used the babysitting service.

We had a babysitter stay with our son, and our friends two children. They watched dvds while we went out.

She was definately in the room.

[Greensleeves]

Well get the damn thing deleted then.

[DominiConnor]

I don't know the Butlins thing, but at Center Parcs there is a babystting service.
They have some deal with locals, who are vetted to some degree and who sit in your chalet. Strangers of course, but I think relatively low risk ones.

[donnie]

oh yet another pointless and brainless thread.

[expatinscotland]

Ugggghhh!

Just get a friggin' self-catering cottage and bring along some family, or go with another family to rotate sitting, or hire a teen to babysit in the evenings.

[LowFatMilkshake]

My comments were off my aunt telling me what her neighbours daughter does at Skegness Butlins - am more than happy to find out it;s not the case.

But I reserve the right to say a 'family holiday means family, and you all stay together

So there ..... you can all have a go at me now if you want - but it's my opinion and you cant change it!

[meandmyflyingmachine]

And you say it's not a re-hash...

[LowFatMilkshake]

And I dont want babysitters on holiday - I go on holiday to enjoy a different setting and experience with my children!

[donnie]

well make sure you take them to the toilet with you too, every time you go.

[AbRoller]

eh sorry, but in defence of the OP - I don't agree with the reference to the McCann family, indeed pointless and inappropriate at this time but the point about children being left alone, whether with a monitor or not is a topic I think worthy of discussion. Certainly not pointless or brainless.

[expatinscotland]

Or just own up to the FACT that holidaying with wee children isn't the same as going on holiday when you were a couple.

It's not forever. They grow up.

[LowFatMilkshake]

For heavens sake so if I'm not on MN everyday to read everythread shoot me.

This is all about a company encouraging parent to leave children alone, which as pointed out may not happen anymore anyway.

I just said that the cinema thread about MM prompted me to start a thread about it!

[lunavix]

LFM - no I agree. We only used it as our friends wanted us to go out with them for an evening. Had a miserable time and returned early - like you I believe it's a family holiday for all of us. Nonetheless, I support parents who use it.

However I don't agree with baby listening services, and when we went to skegness they didn't offer one, only baby sitting.

[donnie]

well they won't BE on their own will they, if they have a BABYSITTER ?

duh.

[LowFatMilkshake]

1 boy and 1 girl donnie I take DD and DH takes DS

[meandmyflyingmachine]

Well, it's not like it's been done to death recently. Oh, wait a minute...

But go ahead.

Now I know what it's actually about I shall retire...

[LowFatMilkshake]

dionnie have you read any of this...the sitting service is actually a listnening service so they are on thier own unless they cry out!

[bookwormmum]

I'm trying to stay out of discussions about the McCanns but it seems quite easy to relate anything happening in the world as a slight on people who care about Madeline going missing (if you don't keep on about it, we don't care sort of attitude). Plenty of people do care but having it rammed down our necks constantly isn't going to bring her back IMHO. I'm sure Butlins and other holiday companies have taken legal advice about the babysitting services they offer, if they're happy to offer it and parents are happy to accept it, then who are we to complain about it? It's on offer, you don't have to use it.

As about 6 people have said already, Madeline was not in the care of a sitter, paid or otherwise so it's not really relevant in this case.

[bookwormmum]

[AbRoller]

Right, I'm going to clarify and leave....

....I don't think the reference to the McCanns was necessary

I don't think there is anything wrong with using a babysitting service whilst on a family holiday - FAMILY HOLIDAY not just childrens holiday

I don't agree with leaving children alone even with a monitor but not because of risk of kidnapping - you can't hear fire!

I don't think the OP is pointless - Parenting website to discuss all aspects of parenting and freedom of speech. We are all entitled to an opinion and we are all entitled to disagree.

Bye