not sure whether to risk using agency for babysitting

[yeahbutmum]

hi
i live in glasgow and dont have any family nearby that can babysit and dont want to ask friends as they are all really busy and not really available when we need help.

ive been toying with the idea for literally years of using an agency, employing a nanny etc, but am worried about the safety of using...well strangers. i know that they will be checked but you just never know do you, hence the reason why me and my husband havnt been out together for about two years.

We're starting to feel the effects of not having any "us time" . but wonder if we're being a bit selfish even thinking of going down that line, and just to get on with it and be happy with staying in, had to pass on wedding invites etc and friends are starting to not bother inviting us to anything anymore.

Id be delighted if anyone could give me their views on this or ideally their experiences and if your using an egency etc could you recommend them please.

At the mo we have complicated childcare arrgt - part nursery, part us and part babysitter during the day (we found her via an ad on gumtree, and interviewed her). I was considering the babysitter for the odd evening too, but the financial burden is just too much!
I naively thought before that once we'd have children, our friends and us would take turns to look after each others children - in practice not the case. I remember checking the website itsmynightout.com and thinking it was great, but noone else shared my enthusiasm, and our friends never took up our offers of babysitting.
Not quite sure why.
So sorry not to actually have replied to your post - would pass on our nanny's details though if you want!