Hotel babysitters??

Are you comfortable with this?
My BIL is getting married in Key West next year. His future wife just sent me a list of babysitters (from a service provided by the hotel).
I am skeeved thinking of a stranger in my hotel room alone with my children, but maybe I'm overreacting??

The kids would be 18 months, and a little over 3.

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DH and I are considering this for my cousin's wedding at Oheka in April. I am in the BP but DD will be 2 yrs and not invited to the reception.
DH does not want to go if she can't go so we think this could be a good compromise

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We were just at a wedding in maine and several parents used babysitters that the hotel recommended and they seemed happy with them.

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We have used hotel recommended babysitters in Aruba and Puerto Rico. We have been very happy with them.

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I just wanted to say that if I were schlepping all the way to Key West for a family member's wedding and my kids were not invited to the reception I would be ****** and not even go. I know that's not what you're asking, lol, but I'm sorry it was my first reaction. I understand that it is common to not invite children to a wedding but for you BIL's wedding in Florida? No way that would fly w/ me...

As for the babysitter, no I don't think I would be comfortable. I mean, I don't think it would be irresponsible or anything but personally I am too nervous of a person... I would probably be more comfortable if my kids were a little older. Also, I would feel comfortable if it was more of a daycare/group atmosphere- like at the gym, kwim?

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No, that would make me waaaaay too nervous....and there's not a lot that makes me nervous!

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I love the idea of it, but it freaks me out too. Like I'd be afraid I'd go back to the room and they'd be gone. One of my old bosses used hotel babysitters everywhere she went, even Europe and had great experiences. I think I would feel better after I met them and learned more about their credentials.

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Absolutely not! I read an article in Travel and Leisure a few years ago about all of the incidents that occur with hotel babysitters and hotel camps. None of the people are screened.

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no way.

but i am also someone who would never use a cruise camp or anything like that either.

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I"d be too scared.

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Is there any way you could call ahead and maybe pre-screen some of the potential sitters for when you would be there? I don't know if that would make me more comfortable doing it, but it might be worth a shot.

ps if the hotel/agency says you're not allowed to do that, I'd take it as a red flag and not use them....

Any other family members you could fly down to be with you? WE've had several OOT family weddings and we've arranged to have the other grandparents watch DCs while we're there. For ex., I was MOH in my cousin's wedding upstate last year. We paid for DH's folks to come up with us and they watched DS in their adjoining hotel room. Anybody besides your niece available?

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I used one for my sisters wedding. She got married in North Carolina and the reception was at the hotel we were staying at. The babysitter was also a hotel employee and I was able to meet her ahead of time. She watched my daughter and also another bridesmaids son. Between me, my husband, my friend and her husband one of us went up each hour to check on the kids. It worked out great. But the only way I would do it is if the wedding was at the hotel where I was staying. I wouldn't feel comfortable not checking in often.

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I woud never leave my children with a stranger. Can you bring a family member down with your to babysit?

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no. this wedding seems like more trouble then it's worth.

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In theory, I think it's a great idea but I'd be way too nervous to actually use one.

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I would check the qualifications and what sort of background checks the babysitters go through, etc. And make my decision from there.

I don't live near family, so if I want to ever go out, I am going to have to find a babysitter. I don't think it is much different.

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absolutely not.

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I don't think I could do it. I am sure the odds of something going wrong are minimal, but I would never be able to relax.

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I wouldn't be comfortable -
but people do it all the time. You have to do what you are comfortable with.

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DH and I thought we would use hotel babysitters, but we never have. Now that DS is a bit older I think I would be more comfortable with it. I would definitely drop him off at a hotel camp/rec room though, so I don't see how that's much different. But of course, you have to do whatever you're comfortable with.

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knowing you... I'd be surprised if you truly felt comfortable dropping them off.

A friend of mine did somethign similar only she got the girls name beforehand, had her fax over a copy of her drivers license, spoke to her on the phone a few times, checked out her facebook page. She went a little crazy w. it (as would I) but in the end it worked out and she had a great night out with her hubbie.

good luck!

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I would - it's not like your kids are babies (newborn) to worry. Most likely they'll be asleep the whole time anyway.

But take this from someone who thinks nothing of going to the neighbor's house with the video monitor in hand for an hour or two (or three) while DS sleeps in his crib. LOL