Finding a babysitter on "Short notice"

[Hillbeans]

If you get an invitation (last night) for a party next Saturday (1/13) and it's for adults only, no children, would you consider that to be short notice??

While I appreciated getting this invitation from one of my neighbors for an open house they are having next weekend, there is not a chance I could get a babysitter with 9 days notice.

I usually arrange babysitting about a month or two in advance, and because I have not been able to find a teenager in my neighborhood to babysit, DH and I don't get to go out very often unless it's something like a wedding or special thing we've planned in advance and asked a family member or friend to help out. My father could easily babysit my oldest, but he's not really suited to watch a baby/toddler because I don't think he's ever changed a diaper in his life.

 

[bananiem]

I would not have considered it late notice when my kids were that age. But I had several babysitters I could call.

 

[pearlieq]

No, sorry. I don't think getting an invitation more than a week ahead of time to be "short notice".

 

[dcgrumpy]

No, we often have friends ask us to do something only a few days beforehand.

ETa
I think a month or two in advance is unrealistic for a casual open house type party.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I don't consider that short notice.

 

[mtemm]

any chance your neighbor might know of some good babysitters? why not call and say how much you want to come, but haven't been able to find a sitter, and does she know of any.

 

[KelNottAt]

I don't think that's short notice.

When my kids were little we often had trouble finding babysitters, too. But, that was my problem, not the hostess's fault.

 

[kpm76]

No, I don't think it's short notice. And keep in mind that not everyone on the invite list has child care issues.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Like most of the other posters, I wouldnt consider that short notice. If it was something big like a wedding, yes, it would be considered "short". But for something casual, like an open house, no. If it is at a neighbors, is it close enough that your dad could watch the kids at your house and you could run home for the occasional diaper change?

 

[Hillbeans]

Wow, I guess i'm way off the mark on this one then.....

To be honest, I just met this person (and his 3 kids ) yesterday as they were putting flyers in everyone's mailbox - they live around the corner and down the block for us. I would enjoy going to the party, but I really do have no options to get a sitter in a week and the party starts at 8 pm so it's too late to pawn off the kids on my brother. My dad and his fiancee are already babysitting a few weeks later and I made those plans in December. My dad lives over an hour away, and he already agreed to stay over for the event we have on the 27th. He's only ever babysat for me 3 times in the past 2 years, so asking him for 2 times in one month probably wouldn't fly.

I guess I should start to get on the ball to find a good High School babysitter. Wish me luck....

 

[U2_rocks!]

Luckily I have 2 babysitters that I have been known to ask at 2 p.m. whether they can babysit at 7 p.m. the same night! They need the money and are usually home, so I have hardly ever been in a situation where I couldn't get a babysitter. My parents are also a third option, but I usually try not to call on them too often because they also babysit for my brother.

 

[disykat]

No - not short notice. A party doesn't require lead time like an "event" such as a wedding or reunion.

That said, I might have had difficulty finding a sitter and turned down many invitations for that reason when my kids were younger. I generally traded favors with friends for babysitting.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Sounds like the way most of our neighborhood parties are. Usually it's either a flier or phone call a week or so before the party. Some are with kids, some without. It's reasonable notice, IMO, and sometimes we can come up with a babysitter within a week and sometimes we can't. Usually we have enough options that we can find one most times, though.

 

[Nanu57v]

I don't think its short notice. Short notice for me is within 2 days. Like Starting Wed or later to get a babysitter for Friday. Of course I generally go with people who have kids that I can bring my 1 over to, so it all depends on their plans. It's probably different in different situations. Like if I had six kids, it might be much much harder to find a sitter.

 

[supercarrie]

When I was a baby-sitter in high school, parents usually called no more than a week in advance, unless it was for an ongoing regular night. I was used to calls asking on Friday if I could baby-sit that Saturday, etc. Good luck finding a high school sitter! Hopefully you will be able to find several recommendations.

 

[Beth76]

No I don't think it's short notice. Sorry you won't be able to find a babysitter though. I know that's tough. We haven't had one since my older son was 3. So, my 2yo hasn't been left with a babysitter before. We use my parents occasionally. So that tells you how often we go out. OK, maybe it's not that funny.

 

[KristiKelly]

I don't think it's short notice either.

I've always been really lucky, my Mom watches our kids for us.

Are your kids in Day care or Preschool? My kids went to Daycare part time when they were little. One of the teachers there, who was wonderful with all the kids, would tell parents that if they ever needed a babysitter to consider her. She didn't make a ton of money and this gave her a little extra cash on the side.

Also, is there a local college or community college that has an early childhood education program? You might be able to find someone through that as well.

 

[mom2boys]

Count me as another who doesn't think it's short notice. I know it can be hard to find a sitter. DH & I rarely went out when our boys were little. We still only leave them for an hour or so - and rarely for social events.
I would try really hard to find a teen. This is a perfect set up since you will be right in the neighborhood. Maybe you could talke to another neighbor with kids and get one teen to watch both family's children - or go to the party in shifts with each couple watching the other's kids for a while.

 

[swanmom]

We're on the other side of this. My DD (13 yo) loves kids and really, really wants to babysit. She's even taken the Red Cross babysitting course. But there are only a few families in our neighborhood with young kids so she gets very little chance to sit. I wish we lived a little closer to you!

 

[Hillbeans]

No I don't think it's short notice. Sorry you won't be able to find a babysitter though. I know that's tough. We haven't had one since my older son was 3. So, my 2yo hasn't been left with a babysitter before. We use my parents occasionally. So that tells you how often we go out. OK, maybe it's not that funny.

LOL - Funny but not really - I know where you're coming from

This may sound mean, and I don't want it to, but if my DH and I get a free night without the kids, i'd rather go somewhere where we could spend some time together, like a nice dinner or something - not at a party with a host i've just met. It would be a fun party i'm sure, but if i'm going to babysit swap with my brother, i'd rather use it for something more substantial than a neighborhood party. This really would be the perfect time to use a neighborhood sitter (if I only had one).

Thanks for the suggestions to find a sitter. I may ask around at the local library and maybe even do a little networking with some of my other neighbors. Edited - Good sitters are hard to find, so i'm not sure even how much luck i'll have with my immediate neighbors. I remember in my little town growing up the neighbors would not want to give out my name to others because then they'd lose their sitter.