Babysitter on facebook etc all the time

[bigbelle]

This is starting to bug me...she even gets on our computer to swan around in facebook, on twitter. I saw the history, then she started erasing it! Told her not to erase history, now on phone doing it. I said she can only do it when she is taking a 'break'. Didn't listen. Not setting a good example for tiny people. Should I giver her the heave ho?

Need more info. Is she doing this while the children are awake? Is she using your computer or her own phone?

Don't know about the good example, I'm on MN while dd is beside me. Heave ho seems heavy handed from what you're saying, she's only babysitting.

are the children in bed when she is online?

Is she your babysitter - ie when the kids are in bed? Or your nanny?

How old are the children? Are they awake/occupied/asleep etc?

She helps out a few times a week. Does it with them around. Just detached. I find it annoying. Getting paid to chitty chat with pals online. She's a sweet kid but...getting my goat. Kids just under 10...

hmm

you have to balance cost (cheapy care for the babysitter I am assuming) against tiresomeness of the babysitter not giving the children full attention

You might be better off using a CM (some might want ad-hoc/short hours) or nanny share if daytime care is needed

See I'd need more information.

I don't see a problem with babysitter being in the same room/accesible to a 9 year old on facebook whilst the child is playing/watching tv/reading/amusing themselves as long as they are aware of what the child is doing.

I often used to babysit a friends children 8,10,11 and would be on facebook/mnet as the children didn't need me - they just needed an adult in the house in case of an emergency/squabbling.

I see a problem if the babysitter is closeted away somewhere so that she can't see what's going on, or isn't able to hear the children, if the children are younger and need more hands on babysitting. Or if she is neglecting to feed them etc.

So what is she supposed to be doing with the children? How many children? How old? What time does she babysit?

Maybe I should chill. I have two kids n they don't exactly need much seeing to I suppose. At least it's someone with a pulse nearby in case of emergencies. She is cheap. You pay peanuts you get monkeys! At least she's not a maniac or nutjob. Just addicted to social networking!

I'd hardly class her as a "monkey" just because she likes FB. And it's certainly not comparable with being a maniac or a nutjob. You have some very strange ideas about people...

Where are your kids now, while you're on here just out of interest?

"You pay peanuts you get monkeys!"

Seriously?!?

I do feel that your unwillingness to pay a decent amount might be contributing to the laissez-faire care given

How much are you paying this monkey?

Well I would give her the heave ho myself. Occasionally checking FB is one thing, but to be on it frequently on YOUR time is inappropriate, especially if she's only there for a few hours. Set her some 'play' tasks with the DC - play doh, painting, etc and leave her to it. (Or whatever just under 10 year olds do, anyway - mine are much younger!!)

if you want Mary poppins love then pay for it!!!

a 'sweet kid' is just that.. a kid.. so dont expect her to act like an adult.

but I guess you know that allready dont you???

Why should the poor girl do that, chitchat? Sounds like this is a local teenager earning a couple of quid. If you want structured childcare, pay for it like everyone else. Don't use cheap labour. You sound as barking as the OP.

A babysitter is just their to keep everyone safe and to know when to call an ambulance. I wouldn't really expect too much from one beyond general supervision - if she can do that and facebook then fair enough.

She's there while the mum is there, so not sole care - hence babysitting. Wild assumptions here from everyone that she is earning pittance. I wouldn't pay someone ANYTHING to sit on the computer for chunks of time unless my DC were asleep. THEN a babysitter can sit on the computer/watch TV - I have even arranged to have some good DVDs for my babysitters and some nice nibbles etc. But during the day all she has to do is spend some time with the DC otherwise what is the point of having her there? She should be engaging with the children, not just leaving them to their own devices. How hard is it to just play a game with the DC for heaven's sakes!!!!

They aren't making wild assumptions: the OP acknowledges she's paying peanuts. They're also too old for constant full attention: my 10 year old would squirm if I suggested we play together with Playdough!
I think referring to them as 'tiny people' is bizarre, though. This thread is very strange! What made you think that the OP is there while the babysitter is with the children? I don't get that impression at all. She's got a cheap'n'cheerful childcare arrangement, that's all, but cheap'n'cheerful options are often a poor substitute for the genuine article, are they?

Oh come on, this is surely a wind up.

"She's there while the mum is there, so not sole care - hence babysitting"

It doesn't say that the mother is there. I also don't understand what you mean with it's babysitting as it isn't sole charge. Basically a babysitter does have sole charge unless she/he is a mothers help.

Why would the mum have her there if she was there that age kids need keeping an eye on not played wiTH.

When I am babysitting I sit and watch T.V. When I am nannying I cook and look after and play with the children.

if you can see this girl on her phone, you are obviously in the house as well - so why do you need someone else there?

agree my ex dc 10yrs would be most insulted if i said lets do playdough, though would enjoy cooking/on wii but 10yrs dont need 100% attention

saying that you are paying this girl (what are you paying her btw) and therefore she should try and interact with them some of the time

i cant believe she justs logs onto your computer