WWYD?? help from other parents...

[MomNeedsVacay]

My MIL and I are taking a "girls trip" to New Orleans for Spring Break starting this SAturday.. It will be my MIL, me and my two girls ages 6 and 4... My MIL is originally from New Orleans and therefore is very excited to show us the town... While we're there, she wants us to go out one night (adults only)... she says that her good friend from college, Bob, (old family friend--they see him at least twice a year) has a lady who has cleaned his house for years and would happy to babysit for my daughters at our hotel. Although I have met Bob a few times, and sort of trust his judgement--I don't know this lady at ALL.... My DH thinks that if family friend Bob says she is trustworthy, then its probably okay... I'm nervous about it for some reason...we are in a hotel in a strange city and leaving the kids with a sitter I don't know at ALL??? My question is...am I being too overly cautious? Would you allow this babysitter to sit for your kids if you were in my shoes?? Thanks for your input... I just want to know if I'm crazy or too paranoid..

 

[MinnieTink]

Honestly no way, but I'm one of those 'overprotective' parents. I wouldn't leave my kids with Bobs cleaning lady.

 

[luvmy3]

No way would my kids be staying with someone I didn't know, period.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

ok, right?? so I'm not crazy and overprotective?? I don't want to get into a "I don't trust your cleaning lady" debate... so maybe I'll fake an illness and tell my MIL to go ahead out to dinner without me...

 

[HeatherH]

I am so NOT a helicopter parent, but at the age of your children, and not knowing the sitter at all, and she not being a licensed/bonded sitter from a service...NO WAY.

If there is a way you can meet her and interview her earlier in the trip, and if you feel comfortable, then that is a different story. GO FOR IT if you think she is qualified and compatible with your kids. But for you to expect to leave your young children with a cleaning person (who very well may be a GREAT person) without any advance chance for you to get to know her...I wouldn't.

 

[N&B'smom]

No way!!!!

 

[TwinsinCA]

I am in the 'no way' camp too.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

No way! Oh- and I wouldn't fake an illness. I would tell MIL straight out that while Bob's cleaning lady may be very nice that YOU do not know her and are not leaving the kids with someone you don't know. If she doesn't like it then too bad so sad.

 

[golfgal]

I am FAR from overprotective and there is no way I would do this either. I would just tell MIL you are not comfortable with this and forget the "adult" night. Heck, I would be more comfortable eating dinner in the hotel and leaving the girls alone in the room then I would be leaving them with a total stranger.

 

[StitchFanZ]

I would be more comfortable hiring someone from a professional, licensed, nanny sitting service if I really wanted to go out. But I personally would opt for staying with the girls and letting the others have an adults night out.

 

[ilovejack02]

No way I would do it !
I wouldnt even fake it, just say no.
LOL but there is a whole bunch of us from Nola on the Dis boards, we would be happy to help you out !

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

No way I would do it !
I wouldnt even fake it, just say no.
LOL but there is a whole bunch of us from Nola on the Dis boards, we would be happy to help you out !

I'd pry trust a DIS-er more!! ha!!

 

[LuvLDM]

No way would my kids be staying with someone I didn't know, period.

What she said.

 

[mtomlin66]

ok, right?? so I'm not crazy and overprotective?? I don't want to get into a "I don't trust your cleaning lady" debate... so maybe I'll fake an illness and tell my MIL to go ahead out to dinner without me...

I agree, I wouldn't leave my children with a stranger either. But, as a courtesy to this person who would probably thinks she is doing your MIL's friend Bob a favor by watching your kids, please don't wait until that day to fake an illness. Although it may be difficult, be upfront with your MIL. It really isn't fair to anyone if you wait until the last minute then change the plans with the fake illness.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would just tell MIL no and then you guys can get the needed break from her that both of you will probably need anyway.

 

[DVCJones]

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NO WAY!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

No way! Oh- and I wouldn't fake an illness. I would tell MIL straight out that while Bob's cleaning lady may be very nice that YOU do not know her and are not leaving the kids with someone you don't know. If she doesn't like it then too bad so sad.

While I would let Bob's cleaning lady take care of the kids, I certainly understand why the OP and the rest of you would say no.

Only thing is, I would phrase my refusal as, "MIL (insert actual name), I really appreciate the trip and the girls and I love spending time with you. While the idea of an adult night sounds wonderful, I don't want to leave my girls in the care of somebody I've never met. I understand you know her and trust her, but please respect my feelings as their parent. Why don't you and I go out for an evening together at home, and (DH) can stay home and watch the girls?. My treat."

 

[Tink888]

My MIL and I are taking a "girls trip" to New Orleans for Spring Break starting this SAturday.. It will be my MIL, me and my two girls ages 6 and 4... My MIL is originally from New Orleans and therefore is very excited to show us the town... While we're there, she wants us to go out one night (adults only)... she says that her good friend from college, Bob, (old family friend--they see him at least twice a year) has a lady who has cleaned his house for years and would happy to babysit for my daughters at our hotel. Although I have met Bob a few times, and sort of trust his judgement--I don't know this lady at ALL.... My DH thinks that if family friend Bob says she is trustworthy, then its probably okay... I'm nervous about it for some reason...we are in a hotel in a strange city and leaving the kids with a sitter I don't know at ALL??? My question is...am I being too overly cautious? Would you allow this babysitter to sit for your kids if you were in my shoes?? Thanks for your input... I just want to know if I'm crazy or too paranoid..

Count me in the no way group.

And I would just say this "Thanks for the offer Bob but I'm just not comfortable with that. You and Mom enjoy yourselves and your night out. No worries."

 

[Fionasmommy]

Move over and make room for me in the "no way" boat! I don't consider myself overprotective, but I would never leave my child with a stranger - especially while on vacation. There are just too many unknowns there and to me it would be too big of a risk.

 

[krcit]

I agree, I wouldn't leave my children with a stranger either. But, as a courtesy to this person who would probably thinks she is doing your MIL's friend Bob a favor by watching your kids, please don't wait until that day to fake an illness. Although it may be difficult, be upfront with your MIL. It really isn't fair to anyone if you wait until the last minute then change the plans with the fake illness.

This was my first thought too, lol. I would just be honest with MIL and tell her you're not comfortable with it.