Babysitter for kids this summer hols at hotel? almost 9 and 12?

[Honesttodog]

Just thinking if we have dinner nearby or at the restaurant at the hotel, then we could tell the kids to call reception if any problem? Seems a bit crazy to pay someone to sit with them while they sleep or watch movies. We still use a sitter here as we usually go into town and can’t get home quickly, but am just wondering what others do at this in between age??

Why wouldnt they be in the restaurant with you?

I agree with DementedPixie. Surely take them with you?

Why wouldn’t you take them with you?
Mind you the McCann’s didn’t either.

Why wouldn't you take a 9 and 12 year old with you? It's not like they need to be tucked up early.

Maybe so they can have a night out alone ??

A 12 yr old is more than capable of watching a 9 yr old for a couple of hours.

I would Never do this. Why on earth would any parent think that this is appropriate?

Of course they'll be fine at those ages! Leave them a mobile phone and ensure they know exactly where you are.

I swear on my life I'd never leave a 9 year old unattended in a strange place

Always eat with ours.

Madelein McCann. Enough said. Take them with you. You decided to have kids so don't pick and choose when you want them! And no you shouldn't leave a 12 year old in charge for a few hours!🙄

Just back from a trip to Europe and ours could not handle late dinners and rich food every night, and we wanted to chat without the kids. We booked a comically expensive sitter for our last night but I’m thinking it would be fine if we are close to the hotel this summer ( italy ). Guess we will see how we feel nearer the time. I had also thought of giving them a phone and reception number etc. Lots of different views here!

Are you completely mad? Just eat earlier with your kids FFS. You have the rich foods, they get chicken nuggets and chips. That's what you do on holiday with your kids

True, nothing can happen to a kid when their parents are 'close' to their hotel. That's just science.

By the way almost 9 and 12 is still in fact 8 and 11. I feel a little bit sick thinking that you would jeopardise their safety so you can have your rich food and late night chats.

Have an earlier dinner with your children then sit out on the balcony for late night chats?

Nope. Wouldn’t leave my kids in a foreign country to eat elsewhere. I wouldn’t even trust a teenager. What exactly could they do if something happened..

I go on holiday to spend time as a family. And I did just the same as a kid myself. Dinner would be 7ish & bedtime was generally with my parents. If I was tired one evening, we’d go back to the hotel room, I’d go to bed & my parents would have a drink & natter one the balcony. Some of the fondest memories of my holidays are evening strolls on the beach or to the local villages with my parents, the late night ice creams or waffles & feeling all grown up in the hotel bar having a coke 😄 and while my DD is much younger than yours, last year was so lovely in the evenings. Dinner did have to be 6.30pm but her little face at the mini disco each night & then a game of chase on the beach back to the hotel room just lovely! We got ourselves a few drinks & took them to our room, played cards & chatted while the little one slept!

Can your kids not eat from a kids menu?! Surely they can eat pizza, pasta etc they aren’t so rich? Maybe alternate the late nights, one they stay up and the next, you relax on your balcony?