Babysitters at Disney- Advice & Help Please

[Goldilocks07]

Does anyone have first-hand experience with in-room babysitting in the evening? What does the sitter do while she is in the hotel room with your kids while they are asleep? We are staying at BLT, in a 1-bedroom. Baby (1 year old) sleeps in a rented crib in the living room, we (obviously) are in the bedroom. Now, WHERE does the sitter go? Does she lay in our bed and watch tv?

What is your experience with this?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for Kids Nite Out? Maybe someone specific that they like? It seems people have had bad experiences- do I have any other option?

I am ill over having to leave our baby with a total stranger. My husband is insisting that we go out at night (at least once), I have no desire to do so and am completely comfortable chilling in the room, watching movies, and eating lots of Disney junk food in bed.

That being said- any advice would be welcome.

And no, leaving my husband at home is not an option. I WISH!

 

[MSSANDRA]

If you are ill over leaving your child with a stranger in a hotel then DO NOT leave him. It will make for a tense and not very enjoyable yet expensive evening. You need to talk with your DH and work out something you both are comfortable with! Maybe have the crib in your room for one evening, put the baby to bed and enjoy a nice meal together in the living area or on the balcony.

Some people are fine with in room sitters and some are not. It sounds like you are not.

If you do decide to leave the baby, I would put his crib in the bedroom for that evening so the sitter can sit in the living area. Should be easy to slide back into the living area when you return, even with the baby asleep in it.

 

[AnastasiaTremaine]

And no, leaving my husband at home is not an option. I WISH!

Damn, girl. That's harsh.

Your husband misses you & he misses relating to you as his wife, as opposed to his child's mother. You both need to reconnect sans baby. This service is very highly reviewed; I've heard the women mostly described as grandmotherly and very sweet. Do you think you could compromise by just doing an early dinner somewhere in your resort, maybe before your baby even goes to sleep? Or put the crib in your bedroom, put the baby down on your own & then just leave the sitter in the living room to watch TV? And then have a good stuff drink & enjoy the man you married one-on-one, no baby-distractions. Take advantage of the fact he wants to be with you!

 

[happymommy]

I was a bit overprotective (but so was my DH!) and we never left our kids that young with sitters. Now if we had lived near family and had that option we would have (but also I nursed DD for a long time, and quite frankly she was so easy that it was no big deal anyway to just have her along everywhere).

There are those that want to go out on vacation as a couple and use babysitters, and those that aren't comfortable with that. I really do hope this doesn't turn into some debate! You are just looking for advice, and sounds like you want to please your husband, but are uncomfortable with a stranger watching the baby while you go out.

What about this: do you ever use any type of babysitter at your home? Like a relative or neighbor? If so, can you plan a really special date night before your vacation, for your husband? Make him feel special - book a nice restaurant, dress up nice, and make it a nice special time. Then, on vacation, you can also put baby down in your room (usually cribs can wheel about through doorways if they're portable types) then get a nice bottle of wine and order in room service for the two of you. So you're right there, but still can enjoy your time together. That may be a nice compromise?

I have heard wonderful things about the sitters that Disney recommends. Personally though, we never did that, since we would get back to our room, get the kids bathed and ready for bed, and when they were really young we didn't really have the energy to go back out! So we'd all just relax and get a good sleep (we tended to keep to our normal schedule mostly on vacations).

 

[mjkacmom]

When my kids were babies, and we hired teen sitters, we would always go out after the baby/babies were asleep already. In your case, I'd put the crib in the bedroom, and schedule the sitter to arrive after bedtime. Have dinner in your resort, and if it would make you feel better, tell the sitter to call you if your baby wakes unexpectedly.

 

[tartemis]

When my kids were babies, and we hired teen sitters, we would always go out after the baby/babies were asleep already. In your case, I'd put the crib in the bedroom, and schedule the sitter to arrive after bedtime. Have dinner in your resort, and if it would make you feel better, tell the sitter to call you if your baby wakes unexpectedly.

This! It is exactly what we did (although we had two connecting rooms and put the baby sleeping in one while the sitter quietly read in the other room).

We never left our baby with a sitter until she was over 1 years old (in part b/c I was nursing so much, but I was also hesitant to do so). When we were at Disney when DD was around 18 months old, we hired a sitter through Disney's service to have an adult dinner. If my memory is correct, there is a minimum of 3 hours. So we had her come early to meet my DD (in case she woke up she wouldn't have never seen this person before) and then I put DD to bed in the connecting room.

DD slept the whole time -- the sitter got to read a good chunk of her book, and we had a nice dinner out.

Disney vets these folks EXTENSIVELY. I would feel safer using a Disney sitter than anyone else -- maybe even family in some instances.

 

[tjmw2727]

How about a compromise ??

When our kds were that young I would get them bathed and fed and in PJ"s and we had a comfy fully reclining stroller. DH and I would walk around WS in Epcot for our "alone time" while baby was comfy and asleep in the stroller. We could share yummy CS treats, listen to the live music and even have an adult beverage together.

You can also just walk around the CR some nights while the baby sleeps in the stroller and enjoy the area and each other. At that age if they were warm and comfy my dd's slept well anywhere!

Maybe spring for a MK view and order in room service one night - put the baby to sleep in the bedroom and watch the fireworks from the balcony?

In fact I would put the baby to sleep in the bedroom every night and then either leave him there with you or move the crib when you can dh go to bed.

In return .......do some research in your area and find a reputable sitter in your area so you and DH can have a night out at home once in a while.

 

[Goldilocks07]

There are those that want to go out on vacation as a couple and use babysitters, and those that aren't comfortable with that. I really do hope this doesn't turn into some debate! You are just looking for advice, and sounds like you want to please your husband, but are uncomfortable with a stranger watching the baby while you go out.

What about this: do you ever use any type of babysitter at your home? Like a relative or neighbor? If so, can you plan a really special date night before your vacation, for your husband? Make him feel special - book a nice restaurant, dress up nice, and make it a nice special time. Then, on vacation, you can also put baby down in your room (usually cribs can wheel about through doorways if they're portable types) then get a nice bottle of wine and order in room service for the two of you. So you're right there, but still can enjoy your time together. That may be a nice compromise?

I have heard wonderful things about the sitters that Disney recommends. Personally though, we never did that, since we would get back to our room, get the kids bathed and ready for bed, and when they were really young we didn't really have the energy to go back out! So we'd all just relax and get a good sleep (we tended to keep to our normal schedule mostly on vacations).

I feel the same as you. I am quite comfortable with coming back from dinner (with baby), getting her to bed and then just relaxing in the bedroom/balcony with a glass of wine. I don't need to go back out. I am usually exhausted.

HOWEVER, my husband is impossible, and refuses to sit in the room, as he sees it boring for all 4 nights to do so. (he doesn't get to sleep early, he can't get to bed until the late hours, so he'd be watching tv for HOURS every night). This, is fine with me, I want a relaxing vacation! I would love the opportunity to watch tv all night.

I am ok with leaving DD with a semi-stranger. If a friend recommends a sitter I haven't met- I can deal with this. Going online and hiring someone I know nothing about, have never met, nor do I know ANYONE who knows her- well, this is just bizarre to me.

DD will definitely be asleep- I will put her to bed and THEN have the baby sitter come, so she'll just have to sit there. I guess baby will be moved into the bedroom- and she will definitely wake up when we move her. Come to think of it- I'm not sure the crib fits through the doorway. We rented one last fall- It's pretty wide for the door. Dang.

Too bad baby monitors don't reach the restaurants in the Contemporary! LOL!!!! I can't believe I have to pay someone (a stranger, no less...) $16 an hour plus $10 transportation PLUS and extra $2 an hour (for after 9pm) - to sit and watch tv. Oh, and they expect a tip as well (which we usually do anyway, if we love our sitter). OY.

 

[Goldilocks07]

This! It is exactly what we did (although we had two connecting rooms and put the baby sleeping in one while the sitter quietly read in the other room).

We never left our baby with a sitter until she was over 1 years old (in part b/c I was nursing so much, but I was also hesitant to do so). When we were at Disney when DD was around 18 months old, we hired a sitter through Disney's service to have an adult dinner. If my memory is correct, there is a minimum of 3 hours. So we had her come early to meet my DD (in case she woke up she wouldn't have never seen this person before) and then I put DD to bed in the connecting room.

DD slept the whole time -- the sitter got to read a good chunk of her book, and we had a nice dinner out.

Disney vets these folks EXTENSIVELY. I would feel safer using a Disney sitter than anyone else -- maybe even family in some instances.

Agreed. I think that is the best thing: Have the sitter come early, let me get DD to bed- and in the process hubby will grill the sitter and make us all feel more comfortable.
Then, with (some) peace of mind, hubby and I can go out for some alone time.

 

[Goldilocks07]

How about a compromise ??

When our kds were that young I would get them bathed and fed and in PJ"s and we had a comfy fully reclining stroller. DH and I would walk around WS in Epcot for our "alone time" while baby was comfy and asleep in the stroller. We could share yummy CS treats, listen to the live music and even have an adult beverage together.

You can also just walk around the CR some nights while the baby sleeps in the stroller and enjoy the area and each other. At that age if they were warm and comfy my dd's slept well anywhere!

Maybe spring for a MK view and order in room service one night - put the baby to sleep in the bedroom and watch the fireworks from the balcony?

In fact I would put the baby to sleep in the bedroom every night and then either leave him there with you or move the crib when you can dh go to bed.

In return .......do some research in your area and find a reputable sitter in your area so you and DH can have a night out at home once in a while.

We live in Manhattan, and are able to go out whenever we/he/I want, so getting out alone (without DD) isn't an issue at home. We have great sitters here.

We have a lake view- which we thought was fun bc of the water parade. I remember that when I was 8!! (and I am 36 now....) I can't believe that it's exactly the same- music and all.

Hubby wants to get OUT of the room and hit a bar. He gets ants in his pants and cabin fever if we're in the room too long. We certainly will do this on the other nights (sit in and have wine on the balcony), but one night he wants to go out. That will be my compromise. I already told him that I wanted this vacation to be relaxing- no hangovers!!

Baby + Hangover + Disney = CRANKY MAMA! Hahaha.....

 

[VictoriaDoesDisney]

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[mjkacmom]

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