Babysitters and lack thereof :( (Anyone use Sitters?) Fed up never going out!

[MANATEEequineOHARA]

Oh dammit I am just so pissed off that I NEVER get to go out I feel like everyone else does lots of 'friend things' but I never do, and I work with old people and am at uni with teenagers...it is so depressing.

I wanted to go to the cinema tomorrow but film is at 3.30 and I would feel really cheeky asking someone to babysit my kids when they are still up. Can't do later because it is other people's already arranged plans that I would be kind of gate crashing on anyway. There are only 2 teenage girls I know who could babysit for me, no family, and I fell out with the 'friend' who I used to do childcare swaps with (damn, that was a handy situation, so annoying). Ex H is useless, no point ever considering him, he doesn't even see the kids.

Has anyone used Sitters? They seem very expensive, but the reviews look like they are nice, well, I suppose they would only post good reviews on their site. Has anyone had a bad experience with Sitters?

i've never used "Sitters" but I have to say that I am considering interviewing my fellow childminders to see if any of them would be up for (and suitable to!!) babysit once in a while. Is this something you could consider? Finding a CM I mean? Many will do overnight care (so your DCs could spend the night there settled and you can enjoy your night out without worrying about them) and lots more do weekends now.

Its just a thought......

We use sitters all the time - have been impressed.

My kids do go to a CM, but she has her own family and although she works Saturdays sometimes (but not evenings) I know she is looking after another litte boy tomorrow anyway.

I now know neither of the girls I know who babysit can do it.

AND ds is having a huge tantrum, swearing and stuff, and I just want to be able to go out, and have friends like normal people do.

I am very tempted by Sitters, but I don't often get the opportunity to go out so I am not sure it would even be worth the subscription, well, obviously it wouldn't be if I never used them!

Going to wallow in self pity now.

thesilverlining

The idea of overnight childcare is like a dream! I know there are a few that do, but it is like £50 a night per child!

gosh really?!!! I charge £30 for an overnight - cos with luck they'll be asleep for most of it so what am I being being paid for really??!!!

you could maybe try sitters for an eve when you ar eclose by and you could maybe pop back every (hour) few hours?.............

Manatee, you're in Devon! Anywhere near Exeter? I know some fabulous babysitters if it would help? I'm in the same boat, single and reliant on sitters if I want to go out and it can get incredibly frustrating. One thing I would recommend is getting in touch with the local college. The childcare students are always looking for families to do placements with and it's how we met our brilliant sitter

There is a thread of MN sitters in the childminders, nannies and au pairs section - see if there's someone local to you! Most people on there are CMs, nannies or mums so will happily cope with awake children.

ooh, Littlelamb I am IN Exeter!!!! Do you have CAT (I don't atm)

Yes
I have an email address somewhere which isn't actually my name. Let me see if I can remember it. How old are your dc? If push comes to shove I'll bloody well have them (dd is on holiday at her nan's house and it's sooooooo quiet here without her!)

pearly drea m@ liv e.co. uk
Without the spaces

Have emailed you

Manatee - film was weird - I'd have only had to explain it all to you

I don't give a toss about the content of the film!!! It is the 'simple pleasure' I get from being able to get a babysitter and act like I am a normal, organised person, who is not constrained by anything!

But love, you're not organised. You can't be a geographical genius and have a social life.

Course I can! (or are you trying to say nobody wants to be friends with a geographical genius!?)