Kylie Orr
As the silly seasons reaches fever pitch with Christmas parties, work dos, and other seasonal get-togethers, the need for babysitters becomes apparent. Finding someone to mind your children is not always a simple process.
Let’s get it straight from the get-go: I didn’t have children so I could palm them off to the closest, partially-willing stranger. But naturally, in life, there are times when you need to be somewhere that your children need not.
My sister got married earlier this year. I was the shiniest, most primped, tanned and painted looking 36-year-old bridesmaid you’ve ever seen thanks to some people who can only be described as miracle workers. Hiding eye-luggage, jelly belly, moon tans and leaking bosoms are no mean feat. A greater challenge though was finding someone to mind my children while I attended the wedding.
As it was a family wedding, my entire family obviously attended. That ruled out one side of the family. Some of my inlaws live far away and others are shift workers so although an option, it is an imposition I prefer not to request unless absolutely necessary.
I have many willing friends (hello, yes you know who you are) who would have come to my aid but in the end I settled for a friend and neighbour to take two of the four kidlets. I planned to take the baby to the wedding as she is still breastfed and I organised my eldest to sleepover at a friend’s house. Done and dusted.
Until two weeks before the wedding.
My friend called to say she had been offered an overseas trip and it would fall in the time she had agreed to mind my children. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking … selfish biatch. How dare she choose a free trip over minding my cherubs?
As I wished her well, I entered silent panic mode. The notice was late, which was unavoidable, but it was starting to look like I’d just have to bring the kids along. Not ideal when you want to throw your heels off and rip up the dancefloor.
We haven’t “broken in” a babysitter because up until now, we’ve never needed to. We don’t get out much and I don't like to ask for favours too often, so the few times we’ve required a sitter, there has always been someone around and available to help out. Paying for a sitter on top of the event or occasion you are also forking out for can become prohibitive.
I don’t have pent up issues about leaving my children with “strangers” but I knew I would not relax at the wedding if I was unsure how my children would settle with someone they didn’t know.
Older children are usually fine – they understand the concept of a parent going away and coming back, but toddlers are not always so easy. I know any friend I asked would have managed, and managed competently, no matter what my toddler threw at them. Bedtime antics, tantrums, missing mummy, whatever. The problem was, I didn’t want to leave him with someone knowing he would be upset, or cause them trouble. A girlfriend volunteered her services. What a lifesaver! She stayed at the house and minded the children on their own turf and played endless games with them, sang dorky songs, changed poopy nappies without gagging and got them to bed without a hassle. I had a lovely time at the wedding - that dance floor was ripped!
It did make me think though, who do you ask to mind your children when family are not an option? Do you pay a babysitter or do babysitting swaps with friends? Comment on Kylie's blog.
