Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Would You Do This with Your Own Child/ren?
daycarediva 06:34 AM 08-26-2013
I have dcp's who are going on vacation with their kids for the long weekend coming up. They have advertised on care.com and craigslist and are meeting two people on Friday afternoon, to babysit their two children (2 & 5m) in their hotel room while they go out Friday evening and Saturday evening.
I would NEVER even consider that, the possibilities of it going wrong are endless, but the dcm says 'oh they'll be fine, it's only for a few hours each evening.'
with a perfect stranger, in a hotel room. Am I paranoid?
I would NEVER even consider that, the possibilities of it going wrong are endless, but the dcm says 'oh they'll be fine, it's only for a few hours each evening.'
with a perfect stranger, in a hotel room. Am I paranoid?
NeedaVaca 06:38 AM 08-26-2013
I wouldn't do it but I am guessing many people do this kind of thing. For me, when we go on a family vacation that's exactly what it is...family 
That being said, I have never hired a babysitter where I live either. Grandparents are the only ones that have watched my kids.
That being said, I have never hired a babysitter where I live either. Grandparents are the only ones that have watched my kids.
jenn 06:55 AM 08-26-2013
I wouldn't, but I hardly ever leave my daughter. If we go somewhere, we want her there with us. In emergency, she has stayed with my mom and dad.
However, some of the families that send their kids to me for daycare really know nothing about me. They have talked to me briefly on the phone after getting my number off craigslist, have met me during a 30 minute or less interview, and leave their kid for 10 hours a day in my home. So, I would imagine leaving them for a few hours while on vacation wouldn't seem like a big deal to them either.
However, some of the families that send their kids to me for daycare really know nothing about me. They have talked to me briefly on the phone after getting my number off craigslist, have met me during a 30 minute or less interview, and leave their kid for 10 hours a day in my home. So, I would imagine leaving them for a few hours while on vacation wouldn't seem like a big deal to them either.
butterfly 07:03 AM 08-26-2013
I've never hired a babysitter period. We've been fortunate to have family to use on occasion. However, I don't see it much different than hiring one of us providers to watch their kids. You never really know who/what your going to get or how your kids will be treated even with licensed providers...
Willow 07:29 AM 08-26-2013
Never.
kathiemarie 07:32 AM 08-26-2013
I would.
Blackcat31 07:36 AM 08-26-2013
Like many parents, they are probably banking on the fact that care.com would ONLY send them a reputable sitter.
No different than parents who want to enroll their child in daycare without an interview....most assume being licensed means you are "safe"...kwim?
No different than parents who want to enroll their child in daycare without an interview....most assume being licensed means you are "safe"...kwim?
crunchymama 06:53 AM 08-26-2013
I would not do this. Maybe I've watched too many news stories or lifetime movies, but this situation just feels off to me. To each his own I suppose.
Maria2013 08:57 AM 08-26-2013
Originally Posted by crunchymama:
I would not do this. Maybe I've watched too many news stories or lifetime movies, but this situation just feels off to me. To each his own I suppose.
that's how I feelI would not do this. Maybe I've watched too many news stories or lifetime movies, but this situation just feels off to me. To each his own I suppose.
MsLaura529 09:09 AM 08-26-2013
This would terrify me ... I would be too worried about my kids the entire time and not be able to enjoy it. I think Disney World has a baby-sitter program like that, where if you are staying in their resorts, you can hire one of their baby-sitters to come watch your kids while you enjoy a night out or something. Even something like that I couldn't do.
Like the others have said, too many creepers and scary stories out there these days.
Like the others have said, too many creepers and scary stories out there these days.
KBCsMommy 09:20 AM 08-26-2013
Never......a million times over.....Never
MamaBearCanada 09:26 AM 08-26-2013
NEVER! I would think someone was joking if they even suggested it.
daycarediva 09:39 AM 08-26-2013
Originally Posted by Brooksie:
Oh my god that is so scary!! It takes a lot less than a few hours to abduct or abuse a child. I would never consider that and am terrified for these children. I can't believe a parent can be so negligent and irresponsible that a few hours away from the kids (ON A FAMILY VACATION) is more important then their safety.
Coming from these parents, it doesn't surprise me that she didn't THINK about their safety first, but I AM surprised that she didn't reconsider when I brought up the 'safety' issue. She is allll excited about being able to 'go out'. Oh my god that is so scary!! It takes a lot less than a few hours to abduct or abuse a child. I would never consider that and am terrified for these children. I can't believe a parent can be so negligent and irresponsible that a few hours away from the kids (ON A FAMILY VACATION) is more important then their safety.
Originally Posted by Willow:
Terrifying reality.
Because predators and the mentally ill NEVER use the internet to prey on children and find families dumb enough to give them complete access without a second thought......
So scary and so sad.
OP, if you care about those kids please express your major concerns with the parents. If after explaining the dangers a family of mine still went on to leave the children I love with strangers they just met I'd term effective immediately. I will not work with families who readily endanger their children's lives. If they did I wouldn't hesitate to express to them what I thought about it.
I will be bringing it up to dcd tonight, he is younger but FAR more mature/concerned for the kids. Dcm says that the woman they are meeting from care.com has references and she kept saying 'they do a background check', and I kept reiterating that so does the state and licensed providers are ALWAYS in the news. Terrifying reality.
Because predators and the mentally ill NEVER use the internet to prey on children and find families dumb enough to give them complete access without a second thought......
So scary and so sad.
OP, if you care about those kids please express your major concerns with the parents. If after explaining the dangers a family of mine still went on to leave the children I love with strangers they just met I'd term effective immediately. I will not work with families who readily endanger their children's lives. If they did I wouldn't hesitate to express to them what I thought about it.
a piece of paper isn't going to protect your children! I could never do this. I would never be able to leave the room for fear that my children wouldn't be there when I got back, or be hurt, etc. I will have YEARS to 'go out' when they are older.
I don't think I am willing to term over it, but I will be nervous for my little dcb and his sister all weekend.
I understand that parents leave their children with us, virtually strangers, sometimes after a single interview. That's why I require two separate interviews, I give them my background check, I give them references and even then it takes a while for my parents to warm up to me and trust me. I think most people are FARRRR too trusting with whom they allow their children to come into contact with, let alone watch them.
Leanna 09:56 AM 08-26-2013
I cater mostly to teacher's kids during the year so in the summer I usually have a mix of schoola-agers: some who have grown-up with me & some who have gotten my name form someone or heard about me in the neighborhood, etc. I cannot tell you how many times I have watched a child all week and the parent goes write me a check on Friday and asks, "What is your last name again?"
I personally would not hire a baby-sitter in the fashion the OP described. Mainly because if we were ever lucky enough to go on vacation I would want to spend every minute with my kids, but also because of safety. If the parents really want to go out they should consider inviting a mother's helper they are already familiar with and trust to go along with them.
'
I personally would not hire a baby-sitter in the fashion the OP described. Mainly because if we were ever lucky enough to go on vacation I would want to spend every minute with my kids, but also because of safety. If the parents really want to go out they should consider inviting a mother's helper they are already familiar with and trust to go along with them.
'
cheerfuldom 10:02 AM 08-26-2013
NEVER! we do use a sitter on occasion but never a stranger.
but i have had daycare parents spend as little as 15 minutes at an interview, call my references (who could be anybody if you think about it....) and then send their kids the next week. And I am not licensed. no one ever asks for a background check or driving record although i can provide both. i dont think all of my daycare parents even called my references....
but i have had daycare parents spend as little as 15 minutes at an interview, call my references (who could be anybody if you think about it....) and then send their kids the next week. And I am not licensed. no one ever asks for a background check or driving record although i can provide both. i dont think all of my daycare parents even called my references....
TwinKristi 02:12 PM 08-26-2013
I have used a professional service recommended by our hotel before. I remember my parents doing the same for my sister and I as kids as well. I don't know that I would use someone off craigslist or care.com without multiple references. Plus in my state if you're over 18 you must be LiveScan fingerprinted to work with children, even at a church nursery or volunteer.