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Original poster

Poll: would you leave a 9 week old (and a 23 month old) with a babysitter that you don't know?

49 replies

MuffinMclay · 07/04/2008 13:35

Going on holiday soon - self-catering cottage on a farm. They offer babysitting in the evening if you want it. We said we'd like to do that one evening, but now I'm having second thoughts. Ds2 is ff, so feeding isn't an issue in this (and we'd probably go out and back between feeds anyway).

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MerlinsBeard · 07/04/2008 13:35

i wouldn't

notnowbernard · 07/04/2008 13:36

I wouldn't either

Tutter · 07/04/2008 13:37

is he a good sleeper? does ds1 ever wake, and if so, would he be ok with an unknown babysitter? if yes to the above then go for it

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toratora · 07/04/2008 13:37

I wouldn't

Tutter · 07/04/2008 13:38

oh, but in answer to the question, no i wouldn't

i'm rubbish at leaving mine, but i think you should

LittleB · 07/04/2008 13:38

I wouldn't. My dd would've screamed the house down if she woke up to find a stranger and no-one she knew around.

belgo · 07/04/2008 13:38

no.

MrsBadger · 07/04/2008 13:38

I wouldn;t

mostly because dd was a screamer and I wouldn;t inflict that on a stranger

I'd consider leaving the 23mo if you (and he) had met the sitter and he was unlikely to wake up, and taking ds2 with me in the pram.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 07/04/2008 13:39

Are the babysitters registered and qualified as child carers?
Also , how far would you be going?

Dropdeadfred · 07/04/2008 13:42

no way

Original poster
MuffinMclay · 07/04/2008 13:47

I don't think I can or should do it.

Thank you all for confirming what I thought.

OP posts:
rookiemater · 07/04/2008 13:50

I would, started writing all these provisos, but to be honest, I just would.

Pannacotta · 07/04/2008 13:52

No I wouldnt either.

lionbeast · 07/04/2008 13:52

no way, a 9 week old are you crazy? to even think of it!

have a great holiday though

luvaduck · 07/04/2008 13:52

nope
but i'm a worrier

MamaG · 07/04/2008 13:52

No.

biglips · 07/04/2008 13:52

nnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

MamaG · 07/04/2008 13:54

We once went on hol when DD was about 18 months old, to a farm. We had a sitting room and a bedroom. First night we were sitting in the sitting room and the farmer's Dad came in and said they'd be h appy to listen out for DD while we went out - said no thanks.

When we were leaving, I said to the farmer "oh, please thank your Dad for offering to babysit"

he replied "taht was me, I had my glasses on"

mankymummy · 07/04/2008 13:58

No way. (but im paranoid mummy!).

warthog · 07/04/2008 13:59

no

TheSweetLittleBunny · 07/04/2008 14:07

No way.

dejags · 07/04/2008 14:08

No, but I wouldn't leave my 9 week old with family so that is no reflection on the babysitter.

phraedd · 07/04/2008 18:01

I used to babysit at a 5* hotel and i had young babies as well as older children so I know that parents do leave young babies.

Speak to the owner of the cottage and ask for the contact details of the babysitter. This may be able to put your mind at rest.

(ps - I am a doula, maternity nanny and a mum so very experienced with young babies.)

hercules1 · 07/04/2008 18:03

No.

LittleBella · 07/04/2008 18:15

No