What to leave out for a babysitter

[BoSho]

Our neighbour is babysitting our 5 mo tomorrow night, whilst we go out to a gig (so until about 11pm) and I'd like some advice on what to to leave out for her. I know it sounds a bit lame, but she won't let us pay her, and I'd like to leave her something nice, but she said she'll eat before she arrives at 7pm, and although she normally drinks wine when she comes round, I don't want to leave her wine (for obvious reasons) - so what should I leave/ do?

Should I leave crisps and chocs, then get her some flowers to say thank you afterwards, or what? I'm a bit stressed about leaving him already, so sorting this would be a bit of a weight off.

Or should I just chill out and tell her to help herself to what she likes (then hide the wine!)?

If she's already said she doesn't want paying, I'd get some posh biscuits or something you know she'd like, the flowers after is a nice idea too. Or maybe a voucher for M&S or somewhere if you want to"pay" her but know she won't accept money IYSWIM

Thanks, yes, I like the posh biscuits idea. Not sure about the voucher - could be a bit weird knowing what to get her next time if I do that this time.

Maybe some yummy chocolate to nibble on and some flowers to take home? It'll be nice to show her that you appreciate her :)

Posh chocs or biscuits - with a note making it clear they are for her to eat - and you could perhaps rent/buy a dvd you know she'd like and leave it out? Or a sudoku/crossword book or a magazine of a particular interest of hers?

If she drinks wine, why not tell her to help herself when she's at yours, then take her a bottle of wine the following day to say thanks.

We always do leave wine. I think if you can't trust them not to get plastered you can't trust them with your baby at all. Friends have a glass of wine and we leave a pizza and some salad or whatever is easy. Or a takeaway menu and money for a curry. But if your friend has eaten I'd just go with telling her to chill out and help herself. Actually if we are paying a babysitter I don;t leave out wine. I guess it's because the friends who babysit I know SO well...

Yes, good point about the wine CrystalStair. I also like the magazine idea. Think I'll tell her to help herself to the wine in the fridge, then buy some chocs, biscuits and a magazine.

Sounds great. I might come and babysit for you myself!

Thanks CrystalStair! I am a bit stressed about it to be honest. It's horrible. I just wish my mum was babysitting instead

I know what you mean. I hated leaving DD1 the first few times. It wasn't that I didn't trust the babysitter (of course!) just good old separation anxiety and worry that she'd feel I wasn't there for her at some crucial moment. In fact when she was older (about 13 months onwards) she would cry and scream out for us as we left the first couple of times. Hideous and I'd feel so guilty. But coming back after having a good night, some time to be off duty etc and going to see her little sleeping face (you hope!) I felt a new surge of love for how gorgeous she was. Still now she is 7 and I have two younger ones, the first thing I do when I get back from being out is go up and moon over them for a bit. Our youngest, by the way, has never worried about us going out because she has the security of big sis and big bro. Very different dynamic for her. Sometimes I sort of miss the early days even though I felt much more torn!

Allow yourself to have fun. It's part of being a good mum!

Nice box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers.

Thanks CrystalStair, it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one. It's funny how difficult such little things are isn't it? I really hope I can enjoy myself - I'm sure I'll be OK once I've left, and we can always keep checking by phone that he's OK.