How many times do you use Babysitting Services?

[Mouse House Mama]

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

Well said!

 

[jodifla]

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

Bad things happen when kids are at day care centers, at schools, etc.

Think whatever you like. The sitters we've had a Disney have been top-notch. I can imagine aliens coming to the planet and snatching my child away, but it doesn't make it a rational fear.

Grandma is just as likely...probably more...to abuse a child as a licensed, bonded sitter is.

 

[noodleknitter]

Bad things happen when kids are at day care centers, at schools, etc.

Think whatever you like. The sitters we've had a Disney have been top-notch. I can imagine aliens coming to the planet and snatching my child away, but it doesn't make it a rational fear.

Grandma is just as likely...probably more...to abuse a child as a licensed, bonded sitter is.

Well, maybe yours...

There are reasons people who want to cover their *** don't spend one on one time with a kid. Most organizations will no longer allow it.

BTW, it doesn't take anything to get licensed and bonded. That is just to cover the organizations hienie. As long as you've never been caught before...you are good to go.

Leave a crowd with a sitter (including more mature, verbal children), I might consider it. Leave a kid with a service like the little evening daycares there. I'm sure they would have a ball.

 

[louise']

Bad things happen when kids are at day care centers, at schools, etc.

Think whatever you like. The sitters we've had a Disney have been top-notch. I can imagine aliens coming to the planet and snatching my child away, but it doesn't make it a rational fear.

Grandma is just as likely...probably more...to abuse a child as a licensed, bonded sitter is.

How can your sitters at Disney be top-notch. You don't know them. I don't care what license they have. And I do think that a strange babysitter may snatch my child; however, I don't have the fear of an alien snatching my child.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Just for my own knowledge, what does it take to be licensed and bonded for baby sitting. That is not a reference that we use here in NC for any child care criteria. I require all my teachers to have criminal back ground checks and many places require finger printing for contact with children.
Problem is I took 6 of my teachers for Criminal Background checks this fall not ONE teacher did they ask for her ID. They gave their name and they simply ran the check. They could have given ANY name. I used to do finger prints but unless the person has been conficted of any crime, they are of no use. MOST people dealing with children are good, loving ,honest people that truely love children. Just do not let some "title" give false security of what you are getting. ASK ASK ASK questions and be sure you are comfortable with the answer and then you make a choice. My choice is mine and your choice is yours and everone has to do what is best for them.

MS Sandra

 

[jenseib]

I really think people are getting out of hand here!
Just because you don't agree doesn't make it wrong, or right. So I think we should stop judging others ways. There is no right or wrong way, jsut the way that is best for you and your family. And if you think that isn't good, then be glad you aren't doing it.

 

[disneynewbee]

To answer the op's question. Our average for a babysitter while on vacation is 0. Admittedly we are pretty big worry worts and wouldn't enjoy ourselves worrying about them. Once mine are all old enough for the kids play centers we will reconsider since it is more of a public setting and I would feel safer. Do what you feel is right for your family and have fun.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Bad things happen when kids are at day care centers, at schools, etc.

Think whatever you like. The sitters we've had a Disney have been top-notch. I can imagine aliens coming to the planet and snatching my child away, but it doesn't make it a rational fear.

Grandma is just as likely...probably more...to abuse a child as a licensed, bonded sitter is.

Oh come on already! I don't understand why you can't respect that others don't agree with you. Maybe you don't mean it, maybe you do, but your posts are just confrontational. Yes, bad things can happen everywhere, but it is not for you to decide what everyone else should deem as safe. It boggles my mind how anyone can leave their child with a sitter from some agency. Do I feel the need to ridicule them? No! That is their choice! If they are comfortable then so be it. You on the other hand feel the need to act as if we are all morons and you are Mother of the year. Give me a break. I don't care who you leave your kids with. Your kids, your family, your choices. Comparing an alien abduction to in room babysitting is just plain ludicris. Oh and just for the record, I don't know about the grandmas you know, but my children's grandparents are never likely to abuse my kids. Yeah- and they aren't licensed and bonded- we just happen to know them for a really long time having had them raise us and all. I wish you the best and truly am not trying to start a debate here, but I just wish you could respect that others don't agree with you. Nothing wrong with that. It is just our choice for our family.

 

[jodifla]

Oh come on already! I don't understand why you can't respect that others don't agree with you. Maybe you don't mean it, maybe you do, but your posts are just confrontational. Yes, bad things can happen everywhere, but it is not for you to decide what everyone else should deem as safe. It boggles my mind how anyone can leave their child with a sitter from some agency. Do I feel the need to ridicule them? No! That is their choice! If they are comfortable then so be it. You on the other hand feel the need to act as if we are all morons and you are Mother of the year. Give me a break. I don't care who you leave your kids with. Your kids, your family, your choices. Comparing an alien abduction to in room babysitting is just plain ludicris. Oh and just for the record, I don't know about the grandmas you know, but my children's grandparents are never likely to abuse my kids. Yeah- and they aren't licensed and bonded- we just happen to know them for a really long time having had them raise us and all. I wish you the best and truly am not trying to start a debate here, but I just wish you could respect that others don't agree with you. Nothing wrong with that. It is just our choice for our family.

My response was to confront those age old code words: HOW CAN PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR CHILD IN A ROOM WITH A STRANGER!

These words are designed to invoke fear and guilt, when in reality, statistics show family members and friends are the most likely to abuse children.

Can ANYONE show me ANY stories about kids being abused by the licensed sitters at WDW? IF so, then I think we have a real conversation. Otherwise, it's wild speculation, kind of like all those alien stories we see in the Enquirer.

Certainly, if you don't want to leave your kids with sitters, you shouldn't. I don't do the 24/7 thing with my child, because I think it would be bad for him personally. He needs to know to trust others. (again, this is a personality thing with him, and wouldn't probably apply to your kids....)

Again, as I stated: we tend to get the same sitter over and over again at Disney, so the whole "stranger" argument doesn't play with me.

Edited to add: It's less that I want to be confrontational, and more about how I want people to see that THEY are the ones being judgmental and confrontational.

 

[Fintastic]

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.

Ouch. Well, it's because I "kinda like" my kid that I work to support her, make sure she has food and medical care and clothes and a place to live. Even if she does have to be in an "evil" daycare. If you're using welfare to stay at home with your kid(s), you can thank those of us who are working to support your lifestyle. If you're not using welfare, then congratulations, you're fortunate enough to have a lifestyle many of us would like to be living ourselves. Although I doubt many of us would have such a holier-than-thou attitude about it.

 

[jodifla]

Just for my own knowledge, what does it take to be licensed and bonded for baby sitting. That is not a reference that we use here in NC for any child care criteria. I require all my teachers to have criminal back ground checks and many places require finger printing for contact with children.
Problem is I took 6 of my teachers for Criminal Background checks this fall not ONE teacher did they ask for her ID. They gave their name and they simply ran the check. They could have given ANY name. I used to do finger prints but unless the person has been conficted of any crime, they are of no use. MOST people dealing with children are good, loving ,honest people that truely love children. Just do not let some "title" give false security of what you are getting. ASK ASK ASK questions and be sure you are comfortable with the answer and then you make a choice. My choice is mine and your choice is yours and everone has to do what is best for them.

MS Sandra

The more I read your responses, the less I find credibility in what you say. Any company I've worked for, THEY take a copy of your DL, and THEY do the background check.

You let people do their own background checks? That doesn't make any sense at all.

Here's what kids' nite out requires:

Staff Qualifications
Our professional caregivers:

are at least 18 years of age
are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid
are trained by Kid’s Nite Out & must complete Walt Disney World “Traditions”
have previous childcare or teaching experience
are thoroughly interviewed, screened, references are checked,
and criminal background checks are performed
Many of our professional caregivers possess advanced training,
a state teaching certificate or a CDA certificate.

 

[Bob P]

I have asked the moderators to shut this thread down several times now, but to no avail.

Can we all just stop posting and let it die? We all know that the OPs questions were answered last week.

So let's play nice and just let this thread die a natural death.......

 

[DaisyD]

I have asked the moderators to shut this thread down several times now, but to no avail.

Can we all just stop posting and let it die? We all know that the OPs questions were answered last week.

So let's play nice and just let this thread die a natural death.......

Well Bob the OP hasn't asked to shut it down. Why post if you want it to die?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

These guys are endorsed and trained by Disney - that's enough for me.

I don't know. I think I'd ask a priest's opinion first.

statistics show family members and friends are the most likely to abuse children.

Sure they do, but I think that is because family members have vastly more opportunities to abuse a child. Most people don't leave their children alone with strangers, so most strangers don't have convenient opportunities to abuse those children. It's sort of like saying that jumping in a pool is more dangerous than cliff diving because more people die jumping in pools than die from diving off of cliffs.

At the end of the day, each person makes safety decisions about their children all of the time. Am I giving them a healthy enough diet? Is their carseat safe enough or should I buy a safer one? Should I use a carseat for them on a plane? Are they old enough to ride their bike home from school on their own yet? Am I comfortable leaving them with my sister, neighbor, Disney certified staff, or whoever for the night? These aren't black and white questions. You make your best assessment and you get on with your life.

You have to decide yourself what the benefits and risks are. The chances of something bad happening to your child when you leave them at the hotel are pretty miniscule. If it's important to you to have that time away from the kids, do it. It wouldn't be my choice, but I'm only choosing for me.

 

[MSSANDRA]

The more I read your responses, the less I find credibility in what you say. Any company I've worked for, THEY take a copy of your DL, and THEY do the background check.

You let people do their own background checks? That doesn't make any sense at all.

Here's what kids' nite out requires:

Staff Qualifications
Our professional caregivers:

are at least 18 years of age
are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid
are trained by Kid’s Nite Out & must complete Walt Disney World “Traditions”
have previous childcare or teaching experience
are thoroughly interviewed, screened, references are checked,
and criminal background checks are performed
Many of our professional caregivers possess advanced training,
a state teaching certificate or a CDA certificate.

Criminal Background checks are done through the court house. Of course I would not allow teachers to do thier own checks, . Each person must be present in order for the check to be run. You can not request a check for someone else. At least not in our county.Finger printing is done there as well. Our hiring process includes, but is not limited to a criminal background check. Yes we have copies of DL, all CPR trained staff, we check at least 3 references and most of my teachers have teraching degrees. My POINT was, that having a criminal background does not give total assurance that a accurate screening has been done. It is the court system that I feel falls short in that area!!!
It is great to see all the qualifications they have. I am not the bad guy and I do not flame people for using sitters, I simply think everyone should make INFORMED decissions and they need details to do that. Cerfitied can mean ANYTHING and I still have never heard of a " bonded " sitter. Perhaps that is a common term someplaces but I want to know exactly what it means before I assume anything. Lots of other professions such as house keepers are bonded so I guess sitter can be too. What do they have to do to earn this title? I just think it is important to know what you are getting in a sitter. THEN everyone can make their own choice!!

I agree it's time for this thread to die.

Mssandra

 

[jodifla]

Criminal Background checks are done through the court house. Of course I would not allow teachers to do thier own checks, . Each person must be present in order for the check to be run. You can not request a check for someone else. At least not in our county.Finger printing is done there as well. Our hiring process includes, but is not limited to a criminal background check. Yes we have copies of DL, all CPR trained staff, we check at least 3 references and most of my teachers have teraching degrees. My POINT was, that having a criminal background does not give total assurance that a accurate screening has been done. It is the court system that I feel falls short in that area!!!
It is great to see all the qualifications they have. I am not the bad guy and I do not flame people for using sitters, I simply think everyone should make INFORMED decissions and they need details to do that. Cerfitied can mean ANYTHING and I still have never heard of a " bonded " sitter. Perhaps that is a common term someplaces but I want to know exactly what it means before I assume anything. Lots of other professions such as house keepers are bonded so I guess sitter can be too. What do they have to do to earn this title? I just think it is important to know what you are getting in a sitter. THEN everyone can make their own choice!!

I agree it's time for this thread to die.

Mssandra

You know, I'm not finding the term licensed and bonded either. So you are right, I might be wrong on that. Or maybe it's the agencies themselves that are licensed and bonded.

In Florida, you don't have to be there for them to do a criminal background check. You just sign the papers.

One of the reasons I use FG instead of Kids Nite Out is that it's a smaller agency, and most of the sitters have been with them 10 or more years. Our sitter has been with them more than 15, I think.

 

[jodifla]

How can your sitters at Disney be top-notch. You don't know them. I don't care what license they have. And I do think that a strange babysitter may snatch my child; however, I don't have the fear of an alien snatching my child.

Easy. I met them, I spent time with them (the two different ones we had were so interesting we spent over an hour just chatting with them), and my DS loved them. I consider that top notch.

 

[louise']

Easy. I met them, I spent time with them (the two different ones we had were so interesting we spent over an hour just chatting with them), and my DS loved them. I consider that top notch.

Top-notch because they are interesting. I thought it was because they were so much more qualified. Interesting doesn't mean qualified; unless of course they are a alien.

 

[noodleknitter]

Actually, the stats just say that a known individual is most likely to commit a crime of abuse against a child. That includes caregivers hired by the parent. It is used to distinguish them from total stranger abductions and abusers.

I hired a guy once for our facility who passed with flying colors. Definitely all the criteria in your little list. He assaulted 3 of the 10 residents, a dozen students in the SBD program that also employed him, and 3 "Little Brothers." (Big Brother program.) He'd just never been caught. He was convicted on all accounts, as well as child porn.

BTW, he was the nicest guy around...and very interesting.

 

[mefordis]

I would never leave my child with a stranger. Not at home and not on vacation. She is the most precious thing in my life.

Interesting rhetorical question: Would allow a stranger to watch over your life savings?

I understand some people have no choice, like those who must work. In this case I am very lucky that I can stay at home.