For those with multiple children

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

254	Thu, 07-10-2003 - 12:18pm

Do you find it hard to find babysitters when you need it due to the number of children you have? This question is for WOH and SAH parents.

And if you don't, do you send them together? Seperately?

Do you have a rule that if one goes they all go?

Tonya

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karenester

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 12:57pm

I have three children.

As to child care needs: my oldest is in school, and he needs no other childcare, as either dh or I am home from work when he is not at school. This summer, he is going to day camp. My MIL keeps the younger two during the days (yes, we pay her the going rate for a local nanny).

But I assume you are talking about evening or weekend babysitting? We've never used it. We don't go out without the kids. I am away from them during the week, so why would I leave them on the weekends or evenings?

annikkismom

iVillage Member

Registered: 04-02-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 1:05pm

I have a hard time getting people to take my youngest. I think because she entails pamper changes (that's about it since she doesn't drink a bottle anymore). I have one good friend that will take both and their aunts and grandmother will take both (aunts are under 18 yrs. old). Otherwise, my mom will only take my oldest and the same goes with a few other friends. I don't have an "all go or no go" policy b/c right now in their lives I think they need to be apart more. The younger one has separation issues. If her sister leaves she falls out into a HUGE tantrum (which is funny since when she's there, the baby goes WWF on her most of the time--they fight like cats and dogs), but since the oldest starts school this year she needs to learn to deal with it and learn that she and her sister are not a "package deal"- that she is a seperate entity from her sister. Does that make sense?

Plus, I can handle taking just one of them places a lot of times so if someone takes the older and not the younger I am fine.

kmgalligan

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 1:24pm

I have never had a problem with finding a babysitter to watch the kids. Usually, I have teenagers and college-age students that I know from church watch them. My mother will occasionally but prefers to really just watch the eldest one. The toddler is in his wild stage right now. In the space of a week, he has had stitches, split his lip, fell on the gravel and hit his nose on a fire truck. He is really fast and fearless. She told me that he is the fastest child she has ever seen and she isn't sure if she can keep up. Sometimes, I don't know if I can keep up with him!

Sometimes, I split them up. We will have a babysitter come over and watch the toddler while we take the eldest to bowling or putt-putt. The boys are 5 years apart so they like different things. Plus, the toddler can not really play putt-putt or go to a movie. I will spend the whole time chasing him and getting stressed out.

"I do not want to be a princess! I want to be myself"

Mallory (age 3)

&nbs

cindytree

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-28-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 1:29pm

Now that our kids are older, babysitting isn't a problem. When they were younger, we usually could find a teenager to babysit, but if we couldn't, we either stayed home or took them with us.

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1969jets

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 1:31pm

I have 3 kids and I have not found it difficult to get babysitters for them. We really only need the occaisional weekend or evening sitter. I have to pay a little more but I don't have trouble finding someone. The young lady across the street is 17 and shee watches them for me when I need someone. I know her parents quite well. As long as I make arrangements in advance she usually makes herself available.

When we need a sitter we usually go out alone. But on the odd chance that we wanted to include one of the kids and the others weren't able to participate I would send them separately. I haven't had to do that, but I would.

Jenna

peteynjoeysmom

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 2:26pm

To socialize with just your DH? Sorry, couldn't resist. I couldn't survive without dates with my husband. What about weddings? Dinner parties? Etc.?

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kmgalligan

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 2:35pm

I was thinking the same thing. I know different people enjoy different things-hence individuality. I could not survive without the occansional night alone with my husband or a night by myself. Shhh...I kinda enjoy getting a break from the children.

Today is my birthday and I have a babysitter coming so my mom and I can see a movie. I also have one coming on Sunday so I can go out with DH. I am really looking forward to it.

"I do not want to be a princess! I want to be myself"

Mallory (age 3)

&nbs

peteynjoeysmom

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 2:36pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoy the celebrations - hope the kids are great to you!!

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texigan

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 4:03pm

I have three DD's. I have had problems finding babysitters before but not because of of the size of my family. If I find a babysitter I have never had a problem with them not taking all three.

trip59

iVillage Member

Registered: 05-13-2003

In reply to: hallejahs_mom

For those with multiple children

Thu, 07-10-2003 - 4:07pm

To be alone with your husband? When was the last time just the 2 of you went out alone or vacationed alone? I happen to think it's VERY IMPORTANT for couples to have date nights, or vacations without the kids. I never understand people who won't go anywhere by themselves.

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