I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this one... I'm curious if any WMs have a regular weekend sitter so you can go out with DH. How does this work in terms of what hours and is it worth it? I'm hestitant to commit but DH wants to do this 2x per month on a regular schedule. It would be at night - not during the day. If you do this, how has it helped you?
Re: Anyone Get a Regular Babysitter on Top of DayCare?
Yes, we have a friday or saturday night sitter 2x a month (more when we can afford it)....we use one of the teachers from our daycare who wants extra $$$. It works great for us since the kids already 'know' her and she knows us and what the kids like, etc.
Every marriage needs work/time, and you need to do what you need to do.
Why would you get flamed for this?
We use two of the teachers at Andrew's daycare, a college student or my ILs to watch our kids on weekend nights. We try to do this at least every other week (doesn't always work) either just to get out ourselves and spend some kid-free, housework-free time together as a couple or to spend some kid-free time with our friends.
I would not be sane without this time .... do it! It's worth every penny.
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
I have a different person but I am working on finding a steady one.
Flamed? Hell no. DH and I need to get out more often. Planning ahead makes it happen. Otherwise, the weeks just get away from you.
We do use our regular teacher - she needs the extra cash - or my sister.
Yeah, no flames here... heck, we just took our first kid-free vacation (we went to Vegas, MIL came up to stay with DD for 3 days) and it was WONDERFUL. Definitely a good thing for our marriage, just having time to talk and relax and have FUN with each other, without having to worry about getting home for naptime or not staying out too late for our sitter.
We used to have a regular sitter, but she just moved away We're working on lining up another one. We don't always do stuff on weekends -- in fact, I would say it's more common for us to go out on a weeknight. It kinda sucks when DD gets home from preschool and I just get maybe 30 mins with her before leaving again, but she never seems to mind and again, it's such a positive thing for DH and me.
I figure happy mom + happy dad = happy marriage = happy kids. I wouldn't do it every night, but 1, 2, 3 nights a month... absolutely.
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)
I have one booked for Sept 11 and I can't wait! DH and I need some time away. Although I will still have to pump....
There is nothing wrong with wanting time with your husband!!!!!
I'd sooner flame the person who doesn't make time to spend with their husband! IMO a strong marriage is the foundation of a happy family.
We've gone through a few different sitters, but finally found one who is great & has the availabilty we need. We've used her twice last month & have another night scheduled this month. We can't commit to a specific # of times a month. It's whenever we need a night to ourselves or have an adults-only party to attend.
Our kids are 3.5 & 1.5. Up until this last time, we've put the kids to bed & the sitter is just there in case they wake up, which they've never done. This last time we put the 1.5 yo to bed & the sitter put the 3.5 yo to bed.
We usually have one of our parents watch our kids about 2 Sats a month b/c 1) we're cheap and 2) they're willing. When the kids were younger, we'd try to not leave until they were in bed b/c it was a little touchy to get them to sleep. Now, we drop them off early and enjoy some time at home alone before we go out.
IMO, it is just as important to spend time on your marriage as it is to spend time with your kids. You'd be doing them a great injustice by not having a healthy relationship with your DH.