How to find a baby sitter?

[Runningonjammiedodgers]

I have 2 DCs, 13 and 10. I am a single parent who doesn't get a lot of help from ex. My mum will watch my kids but I don't like asking for help for social engagements as I sometimes need her for work/school holidays and it's not her responsibility to take care of my kids.

So how do you find a baby sitter? I don't have any friends with appropriate age children, or any other relatives near by. Any tips or suggestions? Just need someone so I can have the odd evening free to catch up with friends. They are of an age where they would be ok left alone for a few hours but the stress and worry of leaving them alone would negate any joy I get from being out.

Recommendations from friends/family is your best bet. Maybe ask parents at school? We have always been lucky and had relatives to babysit. It's hard when they get older as they think they can look after themselves! Good luck, so important to have your own time and go out and let your hair down!

Local Facebook groups? We have a local group for babysitters and people seeking babysitters. There's also a local families group where people often ask for recommendations for babysitters.
Or ask other parents if they have someone they can recommend.

Thank you. I will have a look and see if there are any local Facebook pages. DCs are adamant they don't need a babysitter, I am adamant they do!

I recently used care.com to find an ad hoc baby sitter - found a great person who is a stay at home mum and former nursery worker who is happy to do odd evenings/weekends when her partner is not working so it works pretty well. I got references from another family who use her.

They are home after school till I finish work, or if I need to food shop or want to go for a bit of fresh air and they won't come. Would 100% trust DC 1 to be left for an evening but DC2 has the potential to be an angel or the devil.

Like the idea of swapping with other parents!

I am on care com.. I have had a few one off jobs. And some regular slots... You can check for ones with dbs and those with good reviews....
Join as a free member only. Bit if a rip off paying tbh!

Look on childcare.com

Or ask on local Fb village page

Bubble childcare app x

I would leave my children at 12 without a babysitter. They also babysat siblings from 14. If your youngest can’t be trusted alone with the eldest then you might need a babysitter for them. We had a third child after a largish cap and they needed a babysitter especially after dark but we were clear with the older two that whilst of course they needed to be polite etc that the babysitter was just for the youngest.

All 3 of our kids are total rule followers though so we didn’t have to worry about how they would behave whilst home without an adult.

Hello
I am.nanny/ babbysitter and I work in some evenings and specifically weekends. If you need, tell me. I live in Wimbledon.