https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:02:16 +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>