Well, with kids age 14 and 16 we haven't needed babysitters for several years. We moved to the country a little over three years ago, and even though the kids were a bit young to stay by themselves then, we let them. Tim's mom and dad are only about 1/2 mile away, and we don't go out that much!
Yesterday I went to a nursing workshop. On the way there I was thinking about how nice it was not to have to worry about babysitters any more--first of all trying to find a good one, then the concern of whether or not they would show up on time, if they would have friends/boyfriends over while we were gone/ignore the kids/lose the kids/let the kids get hurt/take them somewhere they shouldn't . . . I can conjure up the wildest scenarios!
We were blessed with some wonderful babysitters when the kids were little. Three sisters lived just across the street from us, and most often if one couldn't babysit, one of the others could. As a bonus, their mom is a nurse, so we knew if there was an emergency expert help was very close. Another girl lived right next door. And of course Tim's mom was always available in a pinch.
My advice to moms whose kids are in the "babysitter" stage--ask around to get names of good sitters. Pay them well! Suggest that if they have time, they do the dishes or do light housework--then pay them better and tell them WHY you're paying them better! One of the best feelings I had when our kids were very young was coming home to a CLEAN house and sleeping kids, after an evening out with Tim. It was so nice to enjoy a clean house that evening, and get up to a clean house.
THANKS to Cody and Morgan's early babysitters--they might not remember you, but I sure do!
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