(baby Jonah is asleep)I really love the group of friends we have in Texas. It is so nice to know that I can always swap babysitting if Adam and I want a night on the town and vice versa. But, the thing I love the most- having people offer to babysit/or willingly taking my kid without me having to ask. With that in mind, I have tried to offer when Adam is working on the weekends (obviously we usually swap, but still.. not having to ask is sooo nice).
This weekend Adam was working and since I was already going to be home with Lulu, I decided to offer my services for babysitting. So on Saturday night at 7pm I had 3- 2 year olds, 1- 4 year old, and 1-1 year old. It was a little hairy, but everything turned out okay (amazingly enough- little to no fighting). I think all the parents were a little shocked when they saw how many kids I was going to wrestle on my own, but I knew if I fessed up to the parents, they would feel guilty and not bring their kid and I knew several of them had fun dates planned. Is that too misleading? would you be annoyed? Anyways, everyone dropped off their kids and seemed okay with the parent to kid ratio. I mean really- how much more work could the extra kids be? The other bonus- everyone was in bed by 8:30 (although this was crazy.. I felt like they were in an assembly line for diaper changes, pjs, teeth, and good night hugs). In the end it all turned out and I was happy that everyone could take advantage and spend some quality time with the spouses.
When was the last time you offered to babysit? How easy is it for you to find a sitter?
8 comments:
That was mighty kind of you to offer to take on so many kids, I'm glad it went well for you.
I've got Amie's kids and the neighbors here today and had my brother's 3 kids last week for 2 days and nights.
Even though things get crazy when I watch other kids, I can completely empathize with the need to get out and be alone or on a date or on a trip, so I never mind watching kids for my friends and family.
It's not too hard for me to find someone to watch my kids. Usually Michelle, my mom, my sister-in-law Amy or my friend Amie will do it. I just need to work something out on weekends so that Randy and I can go out more than 4 times a year.
We don't get sitters too often, it's too expensive! We did hire someone for our anniversary. Jill will watch my kids (probably whenever I ask), I just like them to get to bed at a decent time. I was shocked that you had all those kids to bed at 8:30 -- where did you put them all?? You're a brave woman. I have a hard time with tons of kids around.
I wish we did not live in a state where everyone has family. I think Idaho is a lot like Utah in a lot of people don't move or do move but come back. We are always offering to babysit, but not a lot of people take us up on it. A lot of the husbands don't like to babysit for others so the wives feel bad. I don't care. Shad babysits a lot for my friends so we can do girls night, or running.
In Oregon I babysat a lot. I think I was the ward babysitter. I loved it, my kids love to have others over.
I wish we had friends who would swap. We have not been out for a long time due to the fact we can't find a good babysitter, and we can't afford the sitting and the date.
You have a great system
Can I move to Texas, honestly I'd do it for the babysitting alone!!! Just one question, how did you have enough beds for all those kids at your house? You are awesomer (I know it's not a word) than I thought.
Glad to hear your babysitting offer went well. Sometimes it is easier with more because it gets to be hectic with more than one anyways. I am sure your services were much appreciated and if its like here babysitters are hard to come by.
I have everyone bring pack and plays and I just stick everyone in the same room. Although poor Jonah was put in the hallway. Our new apartment is great, because we can basically close off the bedrooms from the living room/family room/kitchen area by closing all the doors, so Jonah was put in the hallway. My biggest issue was my own child. She wouldn't stay in her big girl bed and kept teasing the other girls that were stuck in the pack and plays. I didn't put the 4 year old down, because he doesn't go to bed that early and he is actually from Idaho (it is Kaycee's nephew- she had family in town for Jonah's big birthday) so his whole time was off. We just played games
I agree that the new apartment is great, but it kind of smells funny sometimes.
Post a Comment