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MummaBear | July 2007


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Problems getting babysitters

I have had some issues as some of you may know in finding a babysitter. Well, a third babysitter pulled out on me this morning and I became upset over this. Everything is booked and paid for. So another girl I work with said she would babysit for me. I have booked into a motel, all is paid for, and the babysitter was to stay the night there. The one who has offered has stated her conditions to me. She wants to charge me no less then $50, and $100 if I'm home after midnight. She won't be staying the night, and she won't be staying past 3am. She listed other conditions also which I agreed to out of desperation. I have listed some things for her to be aware of like I don't let Hannah brush her own teeth, she'll need to do it for her. She does everything herself in the shower but is not to be left unsupervised. I'll hopefully have her showered and dressed for bed before she gets there but if not that's what is to happen. The best way to get her to sleep is to lay next to her, read her stories, then stroke her face, etc if she's not asleep yet. The babysitter said that she is nearly 4, she is capable of brushing her own teeth, having a shower by herself, and putting herself to sleep. So she wants to put time restrictions on me, charge me heaps for being there, then not look after her the way I'm asking her to. Just wondering how I best get my point across, I really want a night out it's been so long but I need to know my little angel is getting cared for as well. She's pretty easy going, I'm not going to tell her to stick to a certain routine or anything I'm pretty easy with that, Hannah copes with late nights so long as it gets back to normal pretty quickly. What are your thoughts on it? How do I control what's done if I'm not there? How do I know if she's being cared for or left to her own devices? Or should I just go the motel since the room is paid for and stay in for the night without going anywhere? I really want a night out though!

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	July 2007 \| mummytobumpno1

Re: Problems getting babysitters

Have you seen my article?

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| MummaBear

Re: Problems getting babysitters

it's ok, even though i wasn't sure if she'd do anything with my child, i know my daughter can look after herself quite well and is very independent. The other thing is that on paper this one would really look fantastic with all her qualifications, all her smiles and the references she has from childcare centres, etc she's worked in. It was a case of "Better the devil you know" and I got my night out, I stayed out until 2:30am and it cost me a fortune but it would have cost the same to hire someone who's name I didn't know, that my daughter didn't know, and I would have had a trust issue then as well. I knew that this babysitter wouldn't do anything to harm her and I'd rather that then to hire someone sight unseen.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| AZMom

Re: Problems getting babysitters

That is awful! This woman is certainly not offering out of kindness! You have every right to stipulate how your child is cared for to keep her in her own routine!

I am in a similar position here where I have no childcare, our nearest family live around 3,000 miles away so we only go places where we can take our son. I have a real problem trusting anyone to take care of him.

Do you have any friends who can recommend someone? Have you exhaused all the agencies?

I really hope you manage to sort something out so you can enjoy your time away and relax!

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	July 2007 \| August88

Re: Problems getting babysitters

This girl knows that you are desperate and is obviously using that to her advantage, but if you really want the night off you have to ask yourself if these things can go unchecked just for the night, that is the tooth brushing and the showering. If it was for a longer period I would definately say go jump to her. I am a carer and always do what the mum wants of me and it is not too much to do these things especially if she is going to charge these prices. I hope it all works out for you. You deserve to have this one night.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| cheleinkal

Re: Problems getting babysitters

Oh My F*&%^%$ing GOD!!!!! Who does this shrew think she is.......??????

Don't use her! have you asked if you can get a credit for the motel room and put it off for another time? If that can't happen, you need to ring everyone you have ever met that has children and find out who they use and BEG!!! that person to help you out.

YOU are not only the employer, you are the mother...the babysitter (the lowest ranking child care provider I might add), does NOT, NEVER EVER tell YOU how to put YOUR child to bed, YOU tell HER.........................Is she actually a babysitter or just someone who is taking advantage of you from your work?? The rates she's charging you is pretty much what I charged as a proffessional Nanny for my friends who were my valued clients pre-becoming my friends...I charged them $100.00 for 3 kids from Friday arvo to Sunday night, staying over, no breaks the whole kit and caboodled...yes cheap for that, but thats mates rates....friends don't take financial advantage of other friends.

Sweets....things are not looking like it is going to work out like you want it to. try and get a refund or a credit at the motel and plan for another time instead.....I think if it was meant to be, everything would fall into place a lot easier than this.

But before you give up.........ring your parent friends and fins a "person"....there will be one.

Best of luck to you....xoxoxo

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| RebeccaDorant

Re: Problems getting babysitters

i used to babysit all the neighbourhood kids and that is definatly not the way to behave with a potenial customer

. she is being paid for the service then you should get the service....warning bells going off everywhere!!!! pull out!!! go to a profesional agency! at least they know how to do their job and probably wont cost more than that... omg!! (gee i was under paied hehe!! $8/hour but i was 15 at the time)... is there no minti mum's that you trust who live near you? here is a site that i have on file. this link is to the babysitter page. hope you find someone soon and can have your night out ::)'s 4u MAB!

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| mumofjtcb

Re: Problems getting babysitters

in Australia the agencies are great. They do background checks and are very affordable!

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| mumofjtcb

Re: Problems getting babysitters

You need to cancel. Who cares if you loose money out of it. I would prefer that to leaving my child with someone who obviously doesn't care about looking after her.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| angieh

Re: Problems getting babysitters

I agree with the others. If she's going to make so many demands when she's supposed to be doing her job, you should just pull out of the deal. Why don't you drop her off at a friends or family members house? At least you know they won't try to pull out any tricks and try to con you about this.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| Kristen

Re: Problems getting babysitters

That is so frustrating because if you are paying for someone to care for your child, she really should be caring for your child. I don't think that your requests are unreasonable at all. If I were you, I would keep this sitter until you can find another one. Good luck.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| HarrisonsMommy

Re: Problems getting babysitters

Geez, sounds like you are having some issues. I don't know what to tell you.

If I were paying this person as much money as you are saying she is asking for, then she should be doing exactly as you ask. But, because you are in a hard spot, she is taking advantage of you. So what you need to do is decide what is the right thing for you to do.

You are going to have to make a compromise somewhere. And that is either with yourself or the sitter. If there is absolutely NO ONE else that can look after her, then you are going too have to deal with the sitter you can get. Or, you are going to have to make some changes to your plans. Sucky as that may be, those are your options. I think I remember you saying your Mum wasn't going to be up this weekend, how about you take Hannah to her?

All the best to you and I hope things work out for the best. You sure sound like you need time to enjoy yourself.

Angela

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| lisasmith140483

Re: Problems getting babysitters

hey darl, do they have any nannying agencies where you are? they are great and have to follow your rules and regulations!! just a thought! good luck and i hope you fins someone a little less demanding.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| Deborahsc2203

Re: Problems getting babysitters

omg I cant beleive that a baby sitter can make such demands when you are the one paying her for her service to watch your angel , where does she get off saying this ?

I know you are hanging for a night out but you more than likely will be worried about your angel while you are out instead of enjoying your night ..too many red flags here ,,,,,

shes demanded too much and is not offering the the right service for your child , to me shes dosent sound very caring at all , you cant police what happends when you are not there full stop ....and with all the baby sitter had be saying to you sounds also like she has no idea about children anyway and just isnt nurtering either .....

I personally would cancell this night out get my money back and you will get some of it back and re arrange it for the next weekend with the first babysitter instead ..call up the hotel you booked ,and ask them about that ,,, that way you know she will be very well cared for and loved the following weekend .

shes your child and you are paying for a service that should be followed and they are very simple ones also ....and

you have a right to know that she will be looked after and loved and cared for and she has a right to her safety,,,,

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| luckyone

Re: Problems getting babysitters

Hi , I be getting hannah shower and really for bed , like u had said that u hoping to do before the babysitter gets theres .I thinkthe sitter u got is rude to say the lease,But i still ask her to read a book for hannah and make sure she ok .

After all u are paying her to look after your child not for sit there and do nothing with hannah at all .Well i hope u have a good night out . If u still not happy with things see if you can cancell the the room and get your money back , u might get part of it back but at lease you didn't lose the lot and that way as well you want be worry about hannah either with this baby sitter

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| rockclimbr4400

Re: Problems getting babysitters

This babysitter sounds like she sucks. I would not let her watch my kid. I know you want to go out, but I can't STAND it when you give someone instructions and they argue with you. Its your kid, do what you want to do with her as far as going to sleep, eating, bathing etc.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| madchanny

Re: Problems getting babysitters

i dont see why she cant follow some of your guidelines especially when she gave you hers and you are the one paying her... if i was babysitting i would be glad to help a child brush her teeth and tuck her into bed... its what im like, when you look after a child, the child should be looked after as though you are the parent...
i thought hannah was staying with a babysitter that she knew though... what happened to her? im really sorry but if i was in your shoes, and if the babysitter did not agree to do any of the things i requested or at least reasoned.. i wouldnt go out (sorry, i dont go out anywhere either, and yes it would be great to have a night out on my own but under these circumstances, i wouldnt risk it) maybe you and hannah could have a night away at the motel together.. get some movies and make the most out of the night with her..
like a retreat from home :)
xx channy.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| MummaBear

Re: Problems getting babysitters

I had my brother lined up, but as he was unsure of whether he wanted to come out with me or not, i had another sitter lined up as a backup. Turns out my family won't be in town this weekend, i knew that a while back, so i let the back up babysitter know that she'll be needed. Well, she's not available either because it's her partner's weekend off, and he only gets 1 weekend off a month so they're going camping. Another young girl from work told me on Wednesday she'll do it for me for $20. Then yesterday she told me she's going out for her mum's birthday so she can't do it, so then this other woman said she'll do it then stated her conditions. She told me what she is going to charge which blew me away, I babysit too and wouldn't charge that much for the night! That's my only option, everyone else pulled out on me even though 2 of them were lined up a long time ago. I'm not too worried about them following routine, I think it's good to break away from it every once in a while. Hannah still knows her because she comes out to work with me when they ask me to work my day off. I'm very relaxed about most things but simply have a few ground rules. I'm probably not going to get time to have her showered and teeth brushed by the time the babysitter is to get there, we won't get to the motel until after 6:30 by the time I'm finished work, pick Hannah up then drive over there. The babysitter is getting there at 7pm. I'm really not worried what they order for room service, I'm really not worried about bed time tonight, it's one night out of her life but i'm not going to let go of the shower thing, I think it would be stupid to leave a kid like her in the shower alone. She's such an independent girl she would try to turn off the taps and get herself out even though I've drummed it into her not to touch the taps.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| madchanny

Re: Problems getting babysitters

hmm. looks like you have your plate full eh.
i really hope things get sorted for you and hanna, it does sound like you need the night out now :)
i dont see why she cant supervise while she is in the shower though! that is what a babysitter is supposed to do! supervise!! lol :)
question.... what would happen if you were running late back to the room? would she actually have the nerve to leave her alone in a hotel room after 3am? (just wondering how passionate she was about babysitting)
Anyway, maybe it woud be best to try and get her in the shower as soon as you arrive at the hotel room, and when the babysitter arrives, instruct her on how to take her out,

the price does sound a bit harsh, as she wants to charge you double for an extra 3 hours of her time, most i ever got for a full overnighter was $100 for 3 kids at once lol!

hope things go well and you have a good night
xx channy

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| Shazz

Re: Problems getting babysitters

Hi,

I understand your need for a night out. I do hope you can resolve your problems with the babysitter. It's been my experience that everyone has a different view on how to take care of a child.

If I were in you shoes, I would shower my child and clean her teeth before the babysitter arrives.(don't worry if she eats after the teeth cleaning because after all it is only one night and her teeth sound as if they have been well cared for.)

I would ask the babysitter to play with and watch my child to ensure that it is a pleasant evening for her. And ask that the bedtime routine is followed.

I hope this helps and that you have a lovely night out. Cheers.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| cazza

Re: Problems getting babysitters

I think that this girl needs to respebct your routine you have for your daughter and would she question a mother if they said this in your work place......

so just explain to her this is how hannah is and that im sure hannah would be pleased that she does what you have asked......

Its not that bad what you are asking, god i have a 7 year old and i still help her with her teeth as they dont fully understand how to do it until 10 and that came from my kids dentist said that..

hope it all works out and you can go out and have fun...

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| MummaBear

Re: Problems getting babysitters

I was told they cannot do it until at least the age of 8. That came from a health care, not a dentist but either way there's still a long way to go before I would trust her to do it herself. I also know how she goes with her teeth as we do it turn for turn and she kind of wipes it over her teeth but isn't brushing yet at all. If she did it herself she would take less than 20 seconds and that's not good enough. I always encourage independence but there are some things I'd rather be there to help her with just so it's done right. They are only her baby teeth, but setting the routine of healthy teeth is life-long.

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	5.00 (Excellent) \| July 2007 \| cazza

Re: Problems getting babysitters

i agree and isnt it funny dentist are like doctors give us to different views...

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