Baby Forum

[CrazyMom]

I was thinking of trying the SitterCity service that MyBabyAdvice.com recommends: http://www.mybabyadvice.com/2007/07/sittercitycom.html

what do you think? have you ever used it? how do you find a good babysitter?

[Jennifer]

My parents usually sit for us on the rare occasion that we go out. If they aren't available, we usually just stay home. When we have had other things to attend (ie weddings), we usually use a teenager from our church...always someone whose parents we know well! The whole idea of a sitter service makes me a little nervous, but that is probably because I have not known anyoen with experience with one.

[SouthernStar]

Consider a barter network with your friends and relatives: they want a night out, you keep their brood, and vice versa. The kids build relationships with their visitors, will look forward to sleeping over, and, as they get older, not feel they are with a "babysitter."

[mommy5x]

The barter network is definitely a great idea! We also try to have people over to our house, rather than hire a sitter. Our house is large and we can pay our teenagers to entertain the kids while we entertain the parents. It gives us a chance to be there in case of emergency, but also to have quality adult time. (It also gives us the opportunity to make sure the teenagers are not torturing their siblings! )

[Spring Bride]

We rarely go out alone as my husband travels so much and wants to spend time with the girls too I feel more like a mommy than a wife most of the time. That sounded kinda pitiful, didn't it? I just thought of a good forum question...