Is this possible

[Ripeberry]

My DH and I have not had a day away from the children for over 8yrs and we would just love to have a long weekend just the two of us.
We have NO relatives that can help out as they are either too old, can't come to us as too far away or their house is unsuitable.

Does anyone know of reputable babysitting agencies that know of carers that can have two children from Friday evening until Sunday evening and would it cost a fortune?

I would look on netmums/gumtree and see if you can find a nanny advertising independently as that will cut down on the costs etc.

I agree... avoid agencies. Look for a nanny advertising privately. You can then negotiate price.

You are a childminder aren't you? Could other childminders help you out - for example one who is registered for overnight care.

Problem is, most of them don't do overnight at weekends and this is the only time when DH can go
I would rather the person came to stay at my house so a weekend nanny would sound about right.

i do this lots - proxy parenting

are you anywhere near me - im in kent, tho i do travel bout then charge travelling time

though i prob do cost a fortune as charge £200per 24hrs - basically £10ph 7am-midnight and then £30 sleepover

cat me if you want more details x

there are a few of us on here who would help out if possible, and we're all over the place. I'm in Surrey and don't cost a fortune. You can't CAT me though i don't think. My email is [email protected]

I imagine you have allready thought of this one so apologise if so but havnt you got friends in the same position?.. what about your kids friends parents... could you arrange some sort of reciprical arrangment so they have your kids and then you have theirs....

Anyway hope it works out and you have a great weekend of peace and rest..

Whereabouts are you?

Not all nannies cost as much as blondes! It's definitely possible - I bet someone on here would do it.

how old are your children? WOuld you consider sending them to a camp or soemthing? That way you and dh could have a lovely relaxing weekend at home with nice days out, whilst you know the children are having fun.

Sounds like the cost of camps (from other threads) and nannies could be similar?

I also do this and i'm in the cotswolds.

indeed frak, i am exspensive, but like the loreal ad, i well worth it

good luck op

This is something I would do and am happy to travel to wherever! Negotiable and flexible rates too (am currently unemployed so any money is better than none!!)

You can email me nanny dot beth at hotmail dot com

Thanks for all your offers, I'll have a word with DH and see what he thinks but he'll balk at some of the prices.
I do have a friend that has one child but she does not think she will cope with 3 girls

Maybe when my girls 8yrs and 5yrs old are older then we could send them off to camp

where are you based??

Just north of Bristol.

Good luck ripeberry with finding some lots of us on here do offer this I am in eastmidlands and charge £200 per 24hrs whether 1 or 4 children although if includes a baby/ies needing overnight feeding then I charge hrly rate for full 24hr period.

bristol is a tad too far for me - tho sure dh wouldnt want to pay my rates lol

hope you manage to get away x

Blondes I don't think you are expensive at all I charge exactly the same plus travel! At the end of the day we have a hell of a responsibility doing it and have to make it worth it because for every lovely child out there there is a little horror that can make 24 hours feel like 72!!!

Very true 2anddone - last fridays wedding work was bloody hard work - 2 children awake crying/screaming every 30/60mins 7pm-midnight - it felt veeeeeeeeeeeeery long lol

yes im worth what i charge, and obviously dont charge too much as get lots of work but i reliese that adding on £400+ for me on top of a weekend away etc is a huge amount