Would you call a Babysitter at 11pm, asking them to babysit that evening?

[nannynick]

Just taken the strangest phone call... a parent called me wanting a babysitter for tonight (they called at 11pm!).

Am I the only one who thinks that is odd?

The parent was not known to me, so if I had accepted (which I didn't), then I would have been working somewhere new, caring for children who had never met me (ok, so they are likely to be asleep, but what if they woke up). I have a strict policy of meeting families first - for my safety and for peace of mind of all concerned. I'm surprised at myself for even answering the call... must have caught me by surprise.

Too strange to even think about. Truly odd. Glad you didn't accept.

odd - was it an emergency maybe ?

Blimey thats odd

that is really odd!i personally would want to meet babysitter first and introduce to children at least once before leaving them!what if they wake?i think its quite rude of them too.

Good grief Nick

Nick, what with the odd emails you have been getting & this phonecall I would be concerned.

Did you call the police today?

fwiw yes I did once call a babysitter at 10.30 at night, but as my babysitter was my MIL it was fine

No they didn't explain why they needed someone... I didn't really give them a chance to explain. I suppose it could have been some emergency, but even if it was, surely not many people would do it... would they?

Fff2, have been in touch with local police, will see if anything happens though I doubt it.

i don't like to call anyone after 9.30pm as i worry that is too late
think that is very strange myself
how can people leave their kids with a stranger?

Maxi - you are lenient (sp) - I wouldn't dare phone anyone past 7.30/8.00pm unless an emergency - and even at that it would be a very odddddddddd occasion

If you are the one who's having the nasty emails and wierd surprise packages, then I understand why you didn't want to take the offer up - but it's quite feasible that someone rang you because they had some sort of major emergency and had been recommended to you as a trustworthy individual...

Having checked my weblog, 2 minutes before getting the phone call, a visitor had searched for: babysitter 24hour london
I do wonder if the person who searched for that, was the same one who called. Coincidence perhaps.

Madamez... even if it were an emergency, I would not have taken it up... I have a strict policy of meeting families first. Nothing will change that, even a recommendation.

I was at work at the time... thus my immediate response was "sorry, I'm working right now so I can't help you". If it had been a mother who had called me, then perhaps we would have got into more of a conversation regarding why they wanted someone, but even then... as I wasn't available, expect the conversation would have ended v.quickly.

nick, why do you have to call police, i must have missed something? are you ok?

I have a stalker, who has just made contact again (via email). Been ongoing for 2 years now. With luck they are harmless, but it is a pain and there are Harassment laws.

oh god!..do you know them?, why are they stalking you?

u advertise 24 hr childcare?

I have a rate for providing 24-hour care, thus Google will pick that up for a search result. It has been known for me to provide full time childcare, 24/7 over a period of up to 3 weeks!

Details on Harassment situation can be found over in Legal

i had no i dea of your situation nick

I asked because if i advertised 24 hr childcare then i would not necassarily think it odd to recieve a call at taht hour BUT in light of your situation you were right not to go and i would keep a record of all calls, with numbers (from 1471) if you are able so that you have something physical to give to police.