Would you leave your child/trust this?

[kreter]

I have a two year old and ex does next to nothing. I keep wondering about a babysitter to meet friends etc but worry that dc can’t tell me what sort of time he’s had and I also worry a babysitter would snoop! Is this irrational? Do you have similar fears? Would you wait until they are older?

Why not? Find a reliable babysitter and go have fun!

It's best to have a recommendation. Maybe a friend knows somebody or you could find one on childcare.co.uk and then you can check their references.

I've used a babysitter. It was one of the staff from nursery. I trust them all day to look after my child, the only difference would be in my home. If they want to snoop in my underwear drawer that's on them 😂

If you can find someone you trust I'd certainly do it.

What time of baby sitter? A local teenager or someonw qualified?

I would try but I'd want a personal recommendation. And maybe start with very short periods of time. Some nursery staff offer babysitting in the evenings / weekends.

Many parents have to use childcare and trust vetting and other processes to keep their children safe
I’ve used nurseries, a nanny, childminders and au pairs
They have all been respectful of our space if they have been based in our home

if you haven’t had to use any childcare it can seem unsettling but there’s plenty of good providers out there

I do use a nursery but I think it’s the idea of being in my home that unnerves me

Do you have a loft? You could put private stuff up there. I'd say that family members are more likely to snoop than paid babysitters. I get paid for babysitting, when I haven't got the child I'm enjoying catching up with something on tv or my phone.

Babysitter can take your child to soft play or the zoo. Ours often did that.

My babysitter is someone who used to work at my kids nursery, he’s DBS checked and the kids know him (and I know his mum!). I trust him, and I get to go out occasionally! Perhaps start with a short visit in the day, you go out briefly and come back? Or an evening when he’s asleep?

What is it about them being in your home so you not like? Are you worried they’ll make a mess?

We have never worried about babysitters in our home but it is an option to go out with the children if you worrry. Our children enjoyed days out with the babysitter.

Other than nursery staff where would you look for someone?

I am a lone parent and never used a babysitter, I just don't trust people. I just barely went out until DS was old enough to be home alone. Too many weirdos.

I use local teens/students. As far as I can tell they watch tv/a film or study. Most have a cuppa or soft drink and I usually tell them to feel free to raid the snacks

I think it's important to say that it's fine either way.

If you are the type of person who wouldn't ever feel at ease with this sort of set up, then this would offset the fun you would have on a night out.
In the same way that someone who is more trusting might benefit more by leaving their children and enjoying themselves.

There's no one size fits all, and we shouldn't try to convince other people that there is one correct or better way to do things, however, if you want to try leaving him with someone, then as others have said ask for recommendations, and if it's a privacy issue, then you could put anything you are particularly worried about in a box and tape it up while you were out.