How many times do you use Babysitting Services?

[JamesMom]

Thats a bit harsh, I think now!

From what I understand she is spending all day with her kids ,and just evenings, going out, and basically they will be ready for bed at this time as well. Now I couldn't afford to do it that many times, or would probably want to myself, but she can, and I if her kids are fine with it, what business is it of ours. I'm sure if her kids scream and cry about the situation, she will drop the other nights out.
And she is going for 2 weeks, and that is a long time to be spending 24/7 with your children with no break. Every family is different, and we need to respect others opinions.

Thank you! Someone who understands

 

[emma'smom]

Hmm...we haven't used a sitter yet at Disney...but by the end of the week, my dd4 was just aching for play time with other kids her age. We did the DVC tour and she (and dd1) were in the babysitting room. They both loved it...and my dd4 begged us to let her stay longer. When dd1 is a bit older, we will definitely use the babysitting clubs...just so that they can enjoy the fun of them. I'm not sure I would use an in-room sitter...because I'm too messy! I would be embarrassed for a nanny to see the shameful mess a hotel room becomes after just a few days of fumbling through suitcases!

 

[chobie]

Many, many people have used the babysitting services and have been satisified with them. You have already budgeted for it (I read your other thread) so go for it. If after the first night or two you use the service and were not haapy with what you got, then rearrange your plans. As long as you prepare and are flexible, even if it does not all go according to plan (and it rarely does especially with kids) then you will have a great time regardless.

Personally, I prefer to invoke the self-righteousness of people on these boards by taking my kids to restaurants at Disney later then what others think its reasonable.

 

[noodleknitter]

Personally, I prefer to invoke the self-righteousness of people on these boards by taking my kids to restaurants at Disney later then what others think its reasonable.

Good one... You can use the Dis to prove any point...kinda like statistics...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Personally, I prefer to invoke the self-righteousness of people on these boards by taking my kids to restaurants at Disney later then what others think its reasonable.

Perhaps we could share a table? Maybe we can start a club?

 

[JamesMom]

Hmm...we haven't used a sitter yet at Disney...but by the end of the week, my dd4 was just aching for play time with other kids her age. We did the DVC tour and she (and dd1) were in the babysitting room. They both loved it...and my dd4 begged us to let her stay longer. When dd1 is a bit older, we will definitely use the babysitting clubs...just so that they can enjoy the fun of them. I'm not sure I would use an in-room sitter...because I'm too messy! I would be embarrassed for a nanny to see the shameful mess a hotel room becomes after just a few days of fumbling through suitcases!

My DS4 LOVES to play with other kids his age. He hates going to the park to play and no one is there. I was originally considering doing in-room for the 2 year old and kids club for him, but that is true budget buster ($12.50 for 2yo + $10 for 4yo) and the time to get to the club, etc., etc. Plus, it would be a late night for the 4yo - might interrupt his schedule too much. Want to save the late night with the kids for the Halloween Party at MK and Mickey BBQ. Hope he can get his socializing at the park and hotel playgrounds and pool.

When the kids are older (when the youngest is 5) on our next trip we will be using the kids club ALOT.

As far as being embarassed , I'm a neat freak (even T-shirts on hangers) but I am sure that they have seen worse. And what do they expect - you're in 1 room for crying out loud!

 

[JamesMom]

A little off-topic, might start anothe thread . . .

For those who have used in-room babysitting. What have you done about the kids dinner? I was thinking going to food court and bringing it back to the room and they can eat when the sitter gets there. Just sandwhiches and stuff that can sit for a bit. Can't order pizza every night. Or can the sitter take them to the food court? How do you arrange for payment - give the sitter enough cash for the 2 kids AND herself?
Ah... questions, questions. Thanks for reading!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I refuse to get into the baby sitter debate but wanted to add that WDW is the perfect place to take the children to at least one sit down dinner. Lunch might fit into your plans better. They get a touch of the dinning experence but most places have neat themes and the wait staff are so used to kids that a little noise is not a big deal. Not talking V&A but one of the WSC places perhaps. Have a nice trip.

MsSandra

 

[jodifla]

I refuse to get into the baby sitter debate but wanted to add that WDW is the perfect place to take the children to at least one sit down dinner. Lunch might fit into your plans better. They get a touch of the dinning experence but most places have neat themes and the wait staff are so used to kids that a little noise is not a big deal. Not talking V&A but one of the WSC places perhaps. Have a nice trip.

MsSandra

I think you raise a good point, but since they are there 14 nights, the two children will get plenty of dinner experience.

We avoided taking DS out from about the time he was 1 to 3, because he would not sit still. It was no fun for us, much less anyone around us. That's when we really started using Fairy Godmothers on a regular basis. After he hit 3 and would sit for meals, then WDW became a great place to try new things.

It was the perfect fit for us. DS went to bed on time, and DH and I got some alone time. I am constantly perplexed why people thing this is such a bad deal or that somehow you aren't spending enough "family time" with them.

 

[nyyankeegirl]

Wow, I had no idea that the topic of babysitters was so controversial I've never had a problem with it. The happier the parents are, the happier the children are!

 

[Bonnie151]

I don't think it's too much, especially if they do go to bed at 7:00. The golden rule in out household is that one never ever messes with the bedtime. We're fortunate enough that our ILs will be coming with us on our fortnight holiday in May so they will help out a bit with the kids so DH & I can get some time together, but if they weren't coming, we'd be using babysitting services too.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

It was the perfect fit for us. DS went to bed on time, and DH and I got some alone time. I am constantly perplexed why people thing this is such a bad deal or that somehow you aren't spending enough "family time" with them.

I completely respect your opinion, but the same way that you find it strange that people don't want to use a babysitter, we find it strange that people use them on a family vacation. DH and I get time alone on vacation. We order or bring food in and after the kids go to bed we may sit on the balcony or at the table in the room and eat dinner. We are very happy and while you may prefer another type of alone time we respect that that is your choice. Yes, honestly we do find it odd that a babysitting service would be needed at all, BUT- that is because we just aren't into that. Doesn't make your choice wrong or right, just good for you and your family. Maybe I am taking it the wrong way, but your post seems to come across like there is something wrong with anyone being content to spend 24/7 with their children. Different strokes for different folks, even if we do disagree. Again- not trying to be rude but just offering the other side to it. Sorry to get off topic. Back to our regularly scheduled thread!

 

[hollyb]

A little off-topic, might start anothe thread . . .

For those who have used in-room babysitting. What have you done about the kids dinner? I was thinking going to food court and bringing it back to the room and they can eat when the sitter gets there. Just sandwhiches and stuff that can sit for a bit. Can't order pizza every night. Or can the sitter take them to the food court? How do you arrange for payment - give the sitter enough cash for the 2 kids AND herself?
Ah... questions, questions. Thanks for reading!

No way would a stranger be allowed to watch our kids in a strange town, hotel, vacation spot, let alone have them take them somewhere. Good grief your really that trust worthy of strangers. Very very scary. JMHO

Even it is Disney

 

[hollyb]

No, I wasn't talking about you at all. Sorry if you got that impression. Hollyb and I have been down this road before....

I am lucky that our kids never had to be in day care. Yes they do get a babysitter once in awhile. just not on a FAMILY vacation, NO way in Hel!! would we hire a stranger to watch them in a strange state. We kinda like our kids unlike some.

 

[jodifla]

I am lucky that our kids never had to be in day care. Yes they do get a babysitter once in awhile. just not on a FAMILY vacation, NO way in Hel!! would we hire a stranger to watch them in a strange state. We kinda like our kids unlike some.

Ah, whatever.

Since we use the same sitter most every time we got to WDW, she's hardly a stranger anymore. DS loves her, and we're teaching him flexibility by having other people watch him.

Works for us.

 

[thirtycats]

I am lucky that our kids never had to be in day care. Yes they do get a babysitter once in awhile. just not on a FAMILY vacation, NO way in Hel!! would we hire a stranger to watch them in a strange state. We kinda like our kids unlike some.

I think it is perfectly fine to be an overprotective, suffocating, and paranoid parent (I'm one sometimes myself although not as bad as I used to be).

But to sit there and infer that other people don't love their children because they are not paranoid like you? That's disgusting, rude, and inexcusable.

There is more I'd like to say, but I'm trying hard to hold my tongue. I don't want to sink to your level.

 

[ApolloSaturnV]

We used them 2 nights out of our 10 night stay, and man was it worth it!

 

[lil mermaid]

I am lucky that our kids never had to be in day care. Yes they do get a babysitter once in awhile. just not on a FAMILY vacation, NO way in Hel!! would we hire a stranger to watch them in a strange state. We kinda like our kids unlike some.

Your response is terribly condescending and rude, and really has nothing to do with what the OP asked. If you want to bash people, why don't you start your own thread? Just because someone chooses to use a babysitter on vacation doesn't mean they don't "like" their children.

And what does day care have to do with it?

For the record, we haven't used a babysitter on a WDW vacation - we may some day, I don't know. We did use Flounder's Reef Nursery on our Disney cruise last year though. Our DD loved it.

edited because it isn't worth it as it appears that hollyb just likes to be nasty to others when she posts...

 

[louise']

I have five children and we rarely use a babysitter at home. If we do, we have a family friend who has three daughters. I am also a stay at home mom who works part-time from home and my kids have never been in daycare. We do use the child care center at the gym while we work out.

That said, we do use the Peter Pan Club at the Polynesian for one night of a 7 day vacation. We have done this for the last three visits. My husband and I have a nice dinner at Citrocs and the kids love the Peter Pan Club. It is the highlight of each trip. Every other night we take the kids to a sit-down restaurant or character buffet for dinner.

Personally, I have not used the fairy godmother service where someone comes to your room. I am not comfortable with leaving my children in the sole custody of one complete stranger. I do feel comfortable leaving them in a secured play center where they are checked in and out by only me. Just my opinion.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It is obvious that most moms feel very strongly about the subject of sitters. I think that two different views are getting intermixed in this thread. The issue of spending time with out your children, and using an in room sitter. Most of the time I avoid the frequent posts on in-room sitters because I do feel stroungly about that topic. I however do respect others right to their own views!! I do not have a problem with mom and dad having time away from the kids. It is important and good for a marriage IMHO. Like some others ,however I am very much oposed to in room sitters. I was an early childhood major that has work every level of child care from teen age sitter to college nanny to day care to preschool to program director and have just seen too many situations that just are not what you think they are. Yes ,DS had family and friend sitters and went to preschool but not day care. The thing is, in a preschool-day care your child is not alone with any one person. Big differnce. We did not use the WDW clubs when DS was little but did consider it once when we were at the WL and DS thought the den club looked fun. Gave him the option of staying while we went to AP or not and he decided no which was fine. EVERYONE has diffent confort zones in every area of child care. SO... If I had grandma along an a 14 day trip, I would have no problem leaving DS at the age OP's children are, ready for bed with grandma 4 or 5 nights while DH and I went to dinner, but would not do it even one night with an in room sitter. JMHO.
Mssandra