Have you left your kids with a babysitter?

[BornToBe]

:wave:

Our babe is now just past six months, and lately Hubby & I have been realllllly craving a date together. Just a couple hours, maybe a dinner/lunch whatever.

Problem is, we have no family or "built-in" babysitters nearby, so we'd have to hire a stranger.

Have you left your baby/kids with a babysitter? How'd you go? She's still entirely breastfed and falls asleep on/with me. Am i dreaming, thinking we can make this work? :laughing:

[Gypsybum]

Hi I haven't left my little one with a stranger or even a friend partly because I can't trust anyone enough but mostly cos my little one won't go to anyone. Very clingy. How is your bubs? Does he go to other people easily? I think the best way to go about it unfortunately is slowly, baby steps. Find a babysitter you trust and introduce them. Stay for the first few times then start leaving for short periods and gradually stretch it out. Saying that I have friends who's babies just go to anyone and couldn't care less! It depends how your bub is. I know a few people that have done it this way though. I think if you just leave them with someone you might be too worried to enjoy yourself. You want to be comfortable that your baby is happy with that person. Unfortunately it might take a while to go out on a date!!:) hope this helps

[MamaBleech]

I do have friends and family I *could* leave my DD with when she was younger but I wasn't really comfortable doing so because they weren't fully supportive of my parenting. What worked for me was joining an AP forum and meeting some AP mama's in real life. Over time, another Mama and I worked out a child swap arrangement. This worked great for both of us because we could be confident that our bubs were being cared for in a way that we were comfortable with.

Your bubba is very young to be without you, but if s/he is going a couple of hours between feeds or takes a bottle I don't see how an hour or two would hurt. IRL support is crucial, especially if you AP are there any appropriate mother's groups in your area? Where abouts are you?

[MummaWhite]

I have never left mine with anyone other than family, id be lost if we lived in another town or state because im not sure how comfortable id be with a outsider so to speak watching my kids :)

[Boobycino]

I haven't used a sitter other than family, but I have baby sat for friends or strangers.

I think I'd personally look at a baby sitter, with loads of experience, who has/has had kids and shares similar views, and all the first aid, police check etc.

And then yeah have them over for an interview, then maybe a short baby sitting time where you'll be nearby and see how you feel about them before making bigger plans.

I think if you can find someone who can just roll with whatever your baby does, because it's so hard to predict how your baby will be for someone else.

Have you got a mothers group/playgroup/other mums you can ask who they use? Sharing sitters is one of the better ways to find one I think.

[Laksa]

I wouldn't leave my kids with a stranger but I do have family/friends who help me out with babysitting. If I didn't, I might feel differently.
I like MamaBleech's idea of making friends through an AP playgroup (or you could go to your local ABA meeting?) and hopefully finding a mum to do swaps with :)

[threechooks]

Are you in brisbane? I'll volunteer for a couple of hours :yes:

[BornToBe]

Aren't you lovely! :goodvibes: Wish I could take you up on it, we DID live in Brissie a while back but recently relocated cross country, which I suppose is what's making it so challenging...
Thanks all for your input on this. I love, love my babe but I just think hubby and I, our relationship would really benefit from some one on one time. Especially for hubby, I think; after all he doesn't get all that lovely breastfeeding oxytocin action (I wish, haha. Why can't men breastfeed!?).

Your responses have been a great kick up the bum to get to the local playgroups. There are two within close driving distance that seem quite accessible. I'm a bit shy about going in "cold" but if the mums are all as lovely & supportive as you lot I'm sure it'll be great...

[Laksa]

Aren't you lovely! :goodvibes: Wish I could take you up on it, we DID live in Brissie a while back but recently relocated cross country, which I suppose is what's making it so challenging...
Thanks all for your input on this. I love, love my babe but I just think hubby and I, our relationship would really benefit from some one on one time. Especially for hubby, I think; after all he doesn't get all that lovely breastfeeding oxytocin action (I wish, haha. Why can't men breastfeed!?).

Your responses have been a great kick up the bum to get to the local playgroups. There are two within close driving distance that seem quite accessible. I'm a bit shy about going in "cold" but if the mums are all as lovely & supportive as you lot I'm sure it'll be great...

Cross-country to WA? Come to my ABA meeting :)

[BornToBe]

The other direction - south! All the way down the bottom...
I'll have to look into ABA 'round my parts, they sound like a good organization to link into.

[Laksa]

If you put your postcode in, you can get local group details :)
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/contact/groups.html