to wish our babysitter was reliable

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

Bit of background Dh and I rarely go out together as we live a long distance from our families and have a small pool of people we trust/can afford to babysit. Tonight we are due out to a very special never to be repeated occasion. 3 weeks ago we arranged a babysitter who has sat for us previously and we can afford and trust. She is fine with the kids and apart from 1 blip has always been reliable (She let us down at the last minute once but I have tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and she has been fine since.) We are due out at 7pm and just got a text saying she can't make it. I am gutted i was sooo looking forward to going out with DH for once and are now very unlikely to get someone else I am just sat here blubbering pathetically and wondering what on earth we are going to do. I even had my hair done especially.

You poor thing!

Did she explain why she couldn't do it? I hope she had a valid reason.

I have no advice for you but lots of sympathy. Hope someone else can help out.

Can you ask her if she has a friend who can babysit - if I have to turn down or cancel babysitting then I normally offer another babysitters number.

Oh Hobnobs! Poor you! I would be gutted. Can you say where you live and maybe someone here can recommend a reliable babysitter? I can recommend 3 in London if any help?

Could you try sitters.co.uk or something similar? An agency ?

Oh no, that is rubbish!

Deffo don't use her again. Any other friends/rellies you can ask?

Or maybe:

www.sitters.co.uk/?gclid=CJf5wuP1vaICFUcA4wod8iA36g

I tried sitters when the same thing happened to me.

They sent the most fabulous lady.

thanks guys I am in Cardiff and have texted her to say we won't be using her again and that if she cancels it is courteous to try and at least offer a replacement! Can't really use an agency as they are usually fairly expensive and one of the reasons we use this girl is that she is reasonable and we are skint. That's why I am so gutted as going out together is such a rare treat. Our families are at least an hour and a half away.

thanks guys I am in Cardiff and have texted her to say we won't be using her again and that if she cancels it is courteous to try and at least offer a replacement! Can't really use an agency as they are usually fairly expensive and one of the reasons we use this girl is that she is reasonable and we are skint. That's why I am so gutted as going out together is such a rare treat. Our families are at least an hour and a half away.

oops

Sitters are relatively cheap for an agency - about £15 to join them and then £5.80 an hour for the babysitter iirc.

Any MNers in Cardiff that have a free evening tonight?!

Oh hobnobs that is poo!! I would be gutted as well.

We are in the same situation as you and I recently joined a plygroup that has a sitters circle. No cash changes hands, itis just tokens per hour or half hour and you build up tokens to use. (you get a few to start with) Is there any sorts of things like that near you? I realise it may be too late for tonight but might help for the future.

YANBU. I used to babysit loads when I was younger, to earn extra cash and I NEVER let anyone down ... especially not at the last moment. Unfortunately I am in London or I would volunteer to watch your DC's for you! Have you a close neighbour who could step in?

I sent her a very forthright text saying pretty much all of the above and haven't had a reply! I will have a look at the agency route but I wonder if it's too late ! Don't know why but feel totally gutted by all this. DH and I are really struggling to juggle everything at the mo and tonight was meant to cheer us both up and now it's just turned into more hassle

YANBU

It is such a shame. We never go out as my fil wont drive in the dark so I know how disappointed you must be.

Why not try sitters? I am sure they do short notice and if you join you are in the system for next time.

Have you got a friend you could ask?

But she has form for letting the OP down.

She gave a very trivial reason trust me I wouldn't be having a go if it was a disaster I'm not that callous

really good friend has bailled us out! You sure know who your friends are in a crisis !! Thanks you guys for all your kind words and helpful suggestions. Lesson learnt will book someone reliable next time and have a backup plan

That is brilliant.

Make sure you get your friend a thank you gift.

Have a great night .

On the way to get her a large bottle of good wine and some chocolate

have fun!

I'd actually put said babysitter right on the spot and ring her and ask her why she felt it appropriate to let you down at the very last minute and ruin your evening... then say nothing while she splutters an excuse.

Sorry, but a text - which she hasn't even had the good grace to reply to - is frankly letting her off the hook big time!

So glad you have such a wonderful friend to step in! Enjoy your evening!