Babysitters

Rozabeez

please answer this for me.

How often does the average parent find it hard to find a babysitter?

How old would a babysitter have to be for you?

thanks.

Rozabeez

oh come on someone answer these! pleeeeeeeeeease! its a survey for home-ec!!!

climaxer

I'm one of the lucky parents as my Mam/Stepdad/ will babysit almost any time I ask them. I am an only child and my two kids are their only grandchildren so they adore minding them. So to answer your first question I don't find it hard to get a babysitter. I have a back-up in my 18 yr old cousin too.

As for the age - it depends on how old the child is - my son is now 2 but when he was a baby (under 1) I'd only let him with his Dad or my Mam. So for a young baby I'd say it would have to be someone who is a parent themselves already and have some first hand experience minding young kids. Once their into the toddlers and sleeping through the night - I would say around 16+ BUT again I would only trust a family member or close neighbour. Again I realise how lucky I am to have such an obliging family.

Also if you're wondering about pay - my Mam won't take anything but my cousin gets €7 per hour when she babysits.

daveg

Same as Climaxer I too am an only child. My parents babysit nearly any time we ask. If not we have other family members as backup.

Our neighbours 15 year old daughter babysat on Sat night for us as it was a family function (all our babysitters were there). We gave her E50 for 19:30 - 03:00.

beer enigma

Neither of our parents live close to us, so a babysitter is a lifeline to us.

We didn't really have any problem finding one - word of mouth locally is a great thing & we have been fortunate in finding a local family with four girls ranging from 15 to 21. My kids are 4 yrs & 18 months with another one a few days overdue :eek: . Payment wise, we give her €25 flat rate & thats whether we're out for 2 hrs or 5 hrs. She's always been loyal to us & if she can't sit, there's always a sister available.

With the third babe just about to arrive, we've changed tack & have gone for the aupair route. €80 a week, live in, with two nights babysitting a week included if we need it.

Lisapeep

25 euro flat rate doesnt sound like the best playment plan to me, but if it works for you, then go for it! Im surprised the babysitter just doesnt come up with excuses not to babysit when youre gonna be home late and therefore give her a lower hourly rate! Why not pay by the hour?

climaxer

Lisapeep I think the €25 flat rate is fine. I mean if they are out two hours thats €12.50 cash per hour or for the five hours its still €5 cash per hour and I guess like most parents the kids are in bed so its really just sitting watching tv and they can help themselves to most of whats in the fridge. I usually leave a pizza and some snacks. Unless they were always staying out the 5 hours its a good deal for any teenager. I pay by the hour as I rarely need to get a babysitter besides my Mam but I understand why some parents would use the flat rate as it would average out anyways.

cajun_tiger

i've had to resort to paying out €170 per week for day care and then beg pleed and grovle for parents to mind baby,
a babysitter for me would have to be at least 16 no bfs or gfs over and no computer games....
bad things happen when kids are left alone

Ba_barbaraAnne

Legally, a babysitter has to be at least 14 years old. Who you ask to babysit depends on you and the age of your child. A small baby needs someone with experience and is willing to take on the responsibility of minding a demanding charge!

i live in a rural area with no family near so have to get sitters most times I want to go out. They charge 5 euro - 7 euro an hour and if I stay out very late I give a bonus.

My eldest is now almost 14, so if I just have to go to a local meeting and will not be out late, I leave him in charge as he can call me and I'll be home in 2 minutes. Otherwise it's get a neighbour's girl to babysit.

Rozabeez

but do you not let him babysit if he's 14?