Who do you use for childcare for your children?

[DaycareMom]

I am a daycare provider and I have 2 children of my own.

I only let my parents watch them, but I need them this weekend and they can't do it.

Who do you use when you need childcare?:confused:

[mismatchedsocks]

My kids are 13 and 9. In the first few years of my sons life, if I needed someone to watch him, like if I had to work on the weekend or HAD a mandatory meeting I would have my mom watch him. I tried a teenage babysitter one night when he was 2, and never again with that.

Since then, NO ONE has watched them. I have started leaving my 13 year old home alone when my 9 year old has gymnastics for an hour, and we usually go grocery shopping or just for a drive.

Is there a girlfriend who you trust? or any daycare families you are close with!?

[Meyou]

My parents, their aunt and uncle, their dad (we're divorced) or my best friend. We've also been leaving our 12 and 13 year olds with the little one for short periods of time.

[small_steps]

I'm extremely over protective and particular when it comes to picking who I leave my kids with. My ex always gets mad at me because i don't even trust him with our kids. He's so irresponsible. My mom or grandma does it for me. But my best friend has an older sister that's not married, no kids (doesn't get out much...she's a home body but she is so good with kids), and she does it for me. I pay her about $10-$12 an hour because I have 3 under 8 and she seems happy to do it.
It's hard to find care. Ask friends or relatives if they have a sitter they trust and use and maybe they can give you a couple of numbers.

[DBug]

We swap babysitting with two other families that we've known for a long time. One family has two boys of their own, the other has 4 kids, so we know that our own will be well taken care of. Is there any chance you could do something like that with another family you know?

Failing that, check out a few teenage babysitters in your area. If you're not sure whether they're trustworthy, you could always have them come to your place to watch the kids while you get some housework done (paid, of course). That way you could keep an eye on how they interact with your kids, what kind of activities they suggest, etc.