Babysitters for Weekday Appointments?

Ladymouse

Is that a thing?  I'm not exactly social (I know 3 families in a half hour radius after living here for 2 years), and my family lives roughly a thousand miles away.  I could try to call the pastor's mother from the church that we (rarely) attend, and get her recommendations of lovely church ladies, but that feels presumptuous.  

How do you find them between all the day cares that require a contract for a certain length of time?  

I know this is supposed to be easy, but it is, for me, the most baffling part of parenthood.

MrsStanger

im not sure on the area that you live in. We live in a rural community full of Amish so word of mouth works wonders! If/when you go to the grocery just try and strike up a conversation with a mom that looks like she would be willing to listen/ give advise. Maybe its again because of location but that is how we found our sitter.

tig594

My DD is currently going to a daycare center 1/2 days when I have job interviews. She LOVES daycare.  She has her little friends there and they are always doing awesome activities with the kids.  I'd rather pay for that than for some random person who may not engage my child.  She is also getting to know kids she may be going to school with for the next 17 years.

Ladymouse

All the daycare centers I've found so far require a contract for a certain number of weeks.

A friend suggested someone.  Meeting her Friday.  Hopefully that works out.

Ladymouse

First sitter ended up with a scheduling conflict.  Local moms group just says "use care.com."  Spend $40 to be able to send an e-mail to a sitter (with no references or background checks), so I can pay them $40-60 dollars for a one off appointment?  What?  None of them have hired a weekday sitter?

fusionbride

if you are looking for a center, it is sometimes called Playcare or drop-in daycare.  I'd google those in your area and see if that helps locate anything:
examples:
https://web.adventurekidsplaycare.com/
https://www.peninsulaplaycare.com/

If you are looking for a sitter who comes to your house, I'd ask around to everyone you know and let them know you are looking for a sitter and let word of mouth find someone for you.  I have found people through friends, neighbors, and then friends-of-friends.  if this is only an occaionaly thing and you have a friend who is a parent and stays home with their kid, you could also ask them to just watch your child during your appointment and give them a bottle of wine, or bake them something instead of paying them (of course offer to return the favor for them).

good luck-- good sitters can be hard work to find, but then when you find them, pay them well and keep them happy because they are so great to have!

DawnJM25

My area of town has a facebook group for babysitters and parents.  Some offer in-home drop-in daycare.  I visited a home and "interviewed" the mom who offers the drop-in care, and I was able to see her interact with the other kids as well as take a look at where DS would be napping, etc.  I find it hard to find a sitter on a weekday that will come to my house.  They either have jobs or are in school.  The in-home drop-in has worked well for us.  Some daycares/preschools in our area offer a 1-day-per-week option so if you are looking for something more regular, that might be an option.