https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:09:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766284 Wed, 09 Aug 2017 13:11:28 +0000 Truth Bombs 2766284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I book someone as soon as I know I have plans. Sometimes that's a few weeks notice, sometimes it's a couple days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766268 Wed, 09 Aug 2017 12:49:11 +0000 lioneyes 2766268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As soon as I need one for a specific date, I book. Then for date nights I often just text week of to see if they are free. I have a few I use and usually they will text me their availability for evenings in the coming month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766249 Wed, 09 Aug 2017 12:06:54 +0000 nana87 2766249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As early as possible. Especially if it's for specific days that our daycare is closed-- lots of families use the same pool of babysitters (former daycare teachers!) so it's a matter of who asks first. I just confirmed a sitter for a couple hours during the first week of September... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766205 Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:59:08 +0000 lamariniere 2766205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As early as possible, and usually a minimum of 2 weeks. I think I've only ever been able to do short notice (like 2-3 days) once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766182 Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:12:11 +0000 wrkbrk 2766182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only use one person - his daycare teacher - so we plan in adnavce. Usually we ask her with a month's notice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766077 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 21:18:58 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2766077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is all so interesting! I know it's also sitter dependant, using parents vs. high school kids, to everything in between. I love hearing how you all make it work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766071 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 20:54:40 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2766071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I often have people cancel if I book too far in advance so a few days usually works best for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766043 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:40:25 +0000 psw27 2766043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a set date, as far out as possible! For a random date night, I usually just text with our favorite sitter and see when she's free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766035 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:49:59 +0000 erinbaderin 2766035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never actually gotten a sitter, just my parents. I usually have to "book" them well in advance because they live three hours away and have pretty busy lives. They're almost always willing to drop everything and drive down if I really need them but I try not to do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766034 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:47:10 +0000 SweetiePie 2766034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 2 weeks before because I'm assuming it's a special occasion that you know about in advance. In that case I would want to secure one as soon as possible. </p> <p>I sometimes get a daytime sitter just for random running errands or lunch with a friend. That's usually less notice and therefore less of a big deal when I can't find one.</p> <p>ETA: actually I should add that we have a standing sitter that we try to book for as many Saturday's as she's free for a 2 month period. So right now I have her booked for 4-5 saturdays in August and Sept. In Sept I'll ask her about October and maybe Nov availability. So I guess I do book her far in advance but usually not for specific things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766031 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:33:10 +0000 bushelandapeck 2766031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We book ahead as far out as we can. When we are issuing a sitter we usually book her for the next date at the end of that night. That way we always have something scheduled. Sometimes we are able to get a last min sitter but it's rare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766021 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 17:57:27 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2766021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, that's why I have multiple votes allowed! And I'm assuming non-emergency situations, because we all have those days when the kid is sick and you are scrambling last second! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766018 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 17:44:47 +0000 Cole 2766018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted at least 2 weeks before but I only follow that when we have a specific event or reason for needing a sitter. There are plenty of times Wednesday rolls around and I text our sitter and all what her availability is that weekend and my husband and I go out whenever she happens to be free- ditto for if I have errands to run. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-far-in-advance-do-you-book-a-sitter#post-2766014 Tue, 08 Aug 2017 17:40:54 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2766014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was talking with a friend about this today, and we had vastly different approaches. Just curious what you all do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751440 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 15:02:41 +0000 maddyz 2751440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this is one of those things that if you feel comfortable about it that will go a long way in helping your child feel comfortable.</p> <p>I just went to a wedding where there were two babysitter set up in a room to watch my baby and two toddlers. It was great. The children could be close, and i could nurse my baby, but I could also enjoy the party.</p> <p>If you dont want to leave your 3 year old at the hotel with someone you dont know, maybe someone could watch them in a room at the party? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751378 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:42:15 +0000 JennyPenny 2751378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: yeah, I'm not happy about that! To be fair it was the bride (who is a sweet wonderful girl) who said the family is invited, and the brides mom and friends who are hosting. The wedding itself is actually in a foreign country because the bride didn't want to deal with her overbearing mom/friends when planning the wedding. Apparently the engagement party is so all the people who can't go to the wedding can celebrate so I think this is all just turning into the wedding the bride didn't want... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751377 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:42:08 +0000 Truth Bombs 2751377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: huh? I've never been to an engagement party that is child friendly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751366 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:27:55 +0000 PawPrints 2751366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just had to ask - who on earth has a no-kids engagement party? It's not like it's a wedding. Especially after they *told* you to bring the kids to this destination event? I think you'd be well within your rights to tell them you already planned to bring the kids so that's what you will do.</p> <p>But, if you do decide to go with the sitter option, it could also be a great opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and open up a new world if it goes well. Personally we've only ever hired a paid sitter that arrived post-bedtime so there was no issue. But it would be nice to have this experience under your belt to feel more comfortable with it in the future. FWIW my kid is in full-time daycare but I'd still be just as uncomfortable as you are leaving her with a stranger. She knows/loves her daycare teachers. We already went through that transition! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751364 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:22:54 +0000 LBee 2751364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: I was definitely stressed (you can ask E), but I realized that T is put in weird / new situations all the time and that's sort of life. As long as I appear comfortable with the situation, he usually acclimates pretty quick. I will say that the second I start acting stressed he starts feeding off and we can get in a bad situation (hellllo, church nursery). It's great you are getting your worries out now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751363 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:19:19 +0000 JennyPenny 2751363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: @SweetCaroline: its funny - your comments together made me think he'll likely be fine. Because I thought "can I get a stranger over here in the next 2 weeks?" like @looch suggested. But I figured I couldn't, but I could get a friend of ours that DS has never met - but then I realized that happens all the time like @SweetCaroline mentioned. And he does just fine with meeting our friends for the first time. So if we pretend this is like that it'd probably be fine. </p> <p>@LBee: Thanks! I'm actually feeling better by the minute. I think it was just the initial shock of what I thought was a family event suddenly being something different - and something new! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751362 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:13:39 +0000 LBee 2751362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: We had her arrive 30 minutes before we needed to leave, but we ended up leaving like 5 minutes in and got to our reservations early to just talk before the other couples got there. We were pretty much invisible at that point and he was busy showing her various toys. We actually did it twice recently now that I think about it (family &amp; nanny unavailable) and he seriously did not care. </p> <p>I do think having a weekend to yourself could be nice though, if you decide to use this as an excuse to leave the kids behind :silly: - I am confident that J would really be fine though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751360 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:12:26 +0000 SweetCaroline 2751360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: see, they will be totally fine, it will be much more difficult for you than it will be for them! I'm the same way. Just act like the babysitter is an old friend and your kids will channel your calm and excitement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751359 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:10:56 +0000 looch 2751359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this is very kid dependent. My son would not have done well in this situation, I know from experience when I tried to drop him off at a play space one time...everyone told me he'd be fine, just do it...and they called me a half hour later to come and pick him up!</p> <p>Is there a way you can try and see with someone at your house first to test the waters?</p> <p>eta: my son wasn't in daycare, that for sure made a difference because he wasn't used to being with anyone other than me. In this respect, not being in daycare was a problem! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751358 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:10:52 +0000 JennyPenny 2751358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: Stories like that help so much, thanks!</p> <p>@SweetCaroline: My kiddos are daycare kids too. I never really thought about that but they are used to lots of different people caring for them </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751355 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:09:19 +0000 JennyPenny 2751355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: That's good to know! How far in advance did the lady get there to start playing?</p> <p>@youboots: Maybe? It's a pretty popular beach destination and we were told to book very far in advance. But our hotel is 100% refundable and finding a room for 2 is way easier than for a family if we decide its too much in the end. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: That's a great question. The bride's family is hosting and the lines of communication have definitely been lacking. I think its at a friend of the mother-of-the-bride's beach house but don't know how far that is from the hotel. Also don't even have a start time - just "evening." They did say if I needed to I could bring the baby (who will be almost 3 months) to the party. I probably will take them up on that unless the party happens to be late and I can just put the baby to bed before I go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751353 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:06:19 +0000 SweetCaroline 2751353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD had her first paid sitter around 16-18 months, and it has been a fabulous relationship. Our sitter is a 20 year old college student. DD and the sitter stand at the window waving at us when we leave, which is a fun activity DD looks forward to and gets her mind off the fact we are leaving.</p> <p>That being said, DD has been in daycare since 12 weeks old and is super adaptable. Since you will be away from home I suggest you bring favorite toys, activities and foods. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751351 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:05:53 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2751351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I left DD at 9 months in a hotel room with a sitter to attend my BIL's rehearsal dinner and then wedding the following night. My SIL had local friends with children and they recommended the sitter. We chatted on the phone a bit a head of time and she came about a half hour early the first night. It was fine! She took great care of DD and had no problems putting her down, even though she was nursing to sleep still at that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751346 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:04:11 +0000 Foodnerd81 2751346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to travel to a family wedding with my then almost 2 year old, in a location where I didn't really know anyone and was staying in a hotel. I ended up finding a sitter through an old friend, talked to her briefly on the phone, then met her at the hotel the morning of the wedding. It was totally fine. I'm glad it was someone my friend trusted (her former nanny). Aside from not really napping, it really went fine. Still the whole thing was pretty stressful and I didn't even have a little baby. </p> <p>How old will your baby be for the party? How far is where you are staying from the party itself? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751343 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:03:59 +0000 youboots 2751343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: can you just change hotels or go alone? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-time-using-a-paid-sitter#post-2751342 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:03:50 +0000 LBee 2751342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>J (and I) will be just fine! We usually have the nanny or family sit for us but in May used a completely random lady for the first time - he had never met her and we hadn't either, but she had good recommendations. It was at our house, so a little different, but T didn't miss a beat (and as you know he definitely is the type to freak out about that). I think some of it was that we projected total confidence in the lady and we really played it up as just a new friend coming to hang out with him. We had him engrossed in an activity when she arrived (magnatiles) and she just hopped in and started playing. We had pre-planned that and it worked out really well. He barely noticed when we left! </p>