To still have the a babysitter come round if the kids are ill?

[Fufumcgoo]

DH has been ill, I am currently ill, kids likely to be ill by the weekend. Cold/flu type virus.

I have booked a babysitter for myself and DH to get some much needed time to ourselves on Saturday night.

AIBU to still go ahead even if the kids are poorly?

Oh dear OP you are getting a bashing 😬 I appreciate its frustrating especially if this is a rare thing that you were both looking forward to. I would give it a miss this time with you all being ill especially if they have never cared for your children before. Just make February more special book somewhere really nice for you both.

You are confused. Whether a parent locates a babysitter on Facebook, word of mouth or via an agency, there are no qualifications that can be undertaken for role of "babysitting". Its a job that needs no qualifications of experience, hence children often performing the job.

I think you are confused. I didn't say babysitting was a highly professional job I said that I was a highly qualified and experienced childcare professional who gets asked to babysit BECAUSE of that.

The people who work through an agency tend to be teachers, nursery workers etc topping up their income.

And anyone who leaves children to babysit children needs their heads read.

@Usangechername ’babysitter’ isn’t a career no, but the majority of sitters through a proper agency will have professional childcare qualifications and a career alongside what they do.

The poster you quoted wasn’t claiming to be a professional babysitter they said they had professional childcare qualifications and had sat for lots of dc.

Being a high qualified and experienced childcare "professional" then you will no doubt be aware of your statutory duty as defined in the EYFS that describes your obligation to prevent the spread of illness and infection.

Although I'm not sure you are aware if you think that looking after poorly children is acceptable in terms of your "profession". Unless of course I'm missing something and your qualifications extend to that of peadiatric nurse or doctor, then if that is the case, you are ideally suited to caring for ill children and I apologise in advance.

It's not an unreasonable question at all. Most nannies will look after sick children. If babysitters get the same rate as nannies and have the same role, then it is at least something to chat to the babysitter about. However my feeling is that a one off babysitter will not want to look after sick children and would only do this for her regular day job that she is contracted to do.

No I wouldn’t, not unless it was something like a wedding and I’d spent a lot of money on it. Surely you can go out any Saturday night? Unfair on both babysitter and kids going out when they are sick

YABU.

DH and I also have no family support. We are responsible for DC a minimum of 362 days per year (very occasional sleepover/school trip) whether we are ill or not. Our choice to have DC. No way would we expect someone else to come over if we were ill. If someone you knew told you that their OH and dc were really sick, but please still come over for the evening, would you go?

Being a high qualified and experienced childcare "professional" then you will no doubt be aware of your statutory duty as defined in the EYFS that describes your obligation to prevent the spread of illness and infection.

🫣😬🙄 oh Bloodyhell, really?

Check with babysitter

give her the option and let her know kids are/might be ill

if she says no you postpone and go week later

And what about what your DC think? Or don’t their feelings matter as much as your ‘well deserved’ night out?

It depends.

Over 7s with the end of a mild cold, fine.

Babies / toddlers, fever, cough or blocked nose that stops them sleeping, stomach upset: not fine.

Fingers crossed for you.

Lol
Highly qualified 😂
Childcare professional 😂

Enjoyed engaging with you babysitter. ❤

I am on immunosuppressive medication for a bowel disease and parents who know this have tried to palm their sick kids onto me. As well as a parent who suspected her kid had covid but still had me round (They were testing the kid as I came through the door).
People can be extraordinarily selfish.
In OP's defence at least she is actually asking for opinions which I'm sure the parents I am referring to did not.