I need to get out - tips on getting good babysitter please

[sibble]

Since moving last September I have lost the luxury of family to look after DS3 and have not had an evening out with DH since. Sad to say have only been out twice since Sept as DH has nervous breakdown at prospect of being left in charge of DS (another thread). Am getting serious cabin fever and need to get out. How do you choose a good babysitter when you don't know anybody to do swops with and daycare cannot help?
Any tips welcome before I start rocking on the porch. I need to get a life...back

You could try looking to see if your local college does NNEB courses, and putting a notice up on the student noticeboards. With a bit of luck you'll get someone who will be keen for a little bit of extra money, and, especially towards the end of the college year, will have done a fair bit of training, so they'll have some idea what they're doing.

hi sibble im in the same situation and someones told me to look for notices at baby clinic or doctors surgery,i will also ask in the mother and toddler group,good luck!!

You just have to keep asking everyone you know!! How do other people manage locally? We too knew no one when we moved here but by asking around etc we've ended up with three or four excellent babysitters - one 'regular' who is wonderful, she's only 17 but DS (2) loves her & she arrives early to bath him, watch a video and put him to bed. We've also got an arrangement with our next door neighbour that she is 'on call' for the babysitter when we are out as she could get round quicker than we could get back from somewhere. Good luck - the only thing that keeps me sane is my evenings out - and I don't mean partying, just going to a comittee meeting or WI (!!) is great for adult conversation!

Thanks for the tips. Think my biggest problem is not wanting to leave him with family or somebody I don't know well but guess I just have to get over that. On a positive note am going out this Saturday with DH!!!! Ashamed to say started crying about it (sad but true) to DH's friend's wife who not is not only having DS but he is staying over night and we are meeting for brunch the next morning to pick him up. Serious result.
He also plays well with her son5.
Next dilema...what to wear...

I need a babysitter but feel a little weird letting a socalled stranger into my home and near my son,do any1 else feel this?

I've seen plenty of notices for babysitting ,my son's 15 months