Bringing a Babysitter with us?
Dec 22nd, 2007, 07:46 AM
#41
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Just a thought, I would watch your son yourself when he naps. You can relax, nap, read etc. I would make the most of the baby sitter by using her energy when he is awake! Our baby sitter was an angel and we treated her as such. She looks back very fondly on our trips which included stays in England, Scotland and Greece. We took her to Corfu, Rhodes, Kefallonia and Athens and in England she visited Stratford on her own and chose to take my daughter to London for a day. All in all, we had a very positive experience, I wish the same for you.
Dec 22nd, 2007, 09:42 AM
#42
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I would feel like I was on vacation with a "stranger" (or, you know what I mean, a non-family member).
Also, maybe because I have kids that age, I would feel very responsible for her; and in many ways - safety and wanting her to be happy and have fun.
What will she do when she is alone? I'd be stressed that she would be bored/lonely/homesick (but mostly bored).
Depends on the kid I guess.
Just my thoughts.
And it still might beat being in Europe with a 2 1/2 year old though.
Also, maybe because I have kids that age, I would feel very responsible for her; and in many ways - safety and wanting her to be happy and have fun.
What will she do when she is alone? I'd be stressed that she would be bored/lonely/homesick (but mostly bored).
Depends on the kid I guess.
Just my thoughts.
And it still might beat being in Europe with a 2 1/2 year old though.
Dec 23rd, 2007, 08:46 PM
#43
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I have a 2 and 1/2 year old, and I think this is a great idea.
I would pay her a fixed fee for the trip. Trying to pay by the hour for a trip like this would be difficult and probably just end up making a mess of the whole thing.
I would make sure that she has travel insurance, and if she doesn't, offer to pay for it (it's inexpensive). Just in case she does get sick or there's an accident.
It sounds like you have a good relationship with her, so I'd just sit down with her and hammer out a schedule. For example, she may prefer not to go out at night, since she'd be by herself, so you could give her more free time during the day.
Good luck!
I would pay her a fixed fee for the trip. Trying to pay by the hour for a trip like this would be difficult and probably just end up making a mess of the whole thing.
I would make sure that she has travel insurance, and if she doesn't, offer to pay for it (it's inexpensive). Just in case she does get sick or there's an accident.
It sounds like you have a good relationship with her, so I'd just sit down with her and hammer out a schedule. For example, she may prefer not to go out at night, since she'd be by herself, so you could give her more free time during the day.
Good luck!
Dec 23rd, 2007, 09:31 PM
#44
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I've never done this (boy I wish I had though!) so take this for what it's worth!
Depending on where you're going, an 18 year old might not be comfortable roaming around on her own, seeing sites that she likes, alone.
I might get flamed for this, but what about having her invite a trusted friend, that you know and appove of?
I know if it were me, I'd want someone to 'hang' with, during my down time.
Just a thought...again, never been in that position, so it's probably not the greatest of ideas, but figured I'd put it out there!
Depending on where you're going, an 18 year old might not be comfortable roaming around on her own, seeing sites that she likes, alone.
I might get flamed for this, but what about having her invite a trusted friend, that you know and appove of?
I know if it were me, I'd want someone to 'hang' with, during my down time.
Just a thought...again, never been in that position, so it's probably not the greatest of ideas, but figured I'd put it out there!
Dec 24th, 2007, 07:14 AM
#45
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I can't imagine an 18 year old - esp a mature one (per the OP)- being frightened, bored or lonely on a trip to a foreign country. (If it's that much of a challene she probably would not want to go.)
If it's a resort seh will undoubtedly meet other young people to hang out with. If it's more of a rod trip she will undoubtedly find things she wants to see/do for herself - and find out which cafes/bars the young people hangout in at night.
(A lot of people seem to thnk the 18 year old babysitter is another child. Many of my friends and I were babysitters since we were 13 or so - and would have jumped at a chance like this to sit and have a partial vacation at the same time.)
If it's a resort seh will undoubtedly meet other young people to hang out with. If it's more of a rod trip she will undoubtedly find things she wants to see/do for herself - and find out which cafes/bars the young people hangout in at night.
(A lot of people seem to thnk the 18 year old babysitter is another child. Many of my friends and I were babysitters since we were 13 or so - and would have jumped at a chance like this to sit and have a partial vacation at the same time.)
Dec 24th, 2007, 10:14 AM
#46
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Ira, ref your post about "age of majority for different states/countries...
What you quoted for Canada is the legal drinking age, not the age of majority. In Canada, everyone is considered a legal adult at 18 with the right to vote and no requirements for a parent's/guardian's permission to do what they want other than purchase alcohol. I would have included joining the military, but you can do that at age 17 with your parent's permission.
I've never understood the rationale for the drinking age to be 19, but since I'm from a province where the drinking age is 18, it never affected me much.
What you quoted for Canada is the legal drinking age, not the age of majority. In Canada, everyone is considered a legal adult at 18 with the right to vote and no requirements for a parent's/guardian's permission to do what they want other than purchase alcohol. I would have included joining the military, but you can do that at age 17 with your parent's permission.
I've never understood the rationale for the drinking age to be 19, but since I'm from a province where the drinking age is 18, it never affected me much.
Dec 24th, 2007, 10:18 AM
#47
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Oops. Just noticed the wording on my previous post made it sound like in those provinces with 19 as a legal drinking age, that people could purchase with parents' permission. Even if a parent granted permission, it's still illegal.
Dec 24th, 2007, 10:36 PM
#49
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I doubt that an 18yo will be frightened or uncomfortable with going to any of the aforementioned typical tourist destinations in Southern Europe.
While for some of you from the States, a trip to France, Italy, or Greece sounds totally exciting, it is nothing that will give a European youth restless nights.
As long as there is a beach or a pool and bars, cafes, and night clubs, you won't have to think about how to help her to spend her leisure time.
Only if you planned to stay 3 weeks in a remote farm house in Tuscany, I would ask her if she was cool with that.
While for some of you from the States, a trip to France, Italy, or Greece sounds totally exciting, it is nothing that will give a European youth restless nights.
As long as there is a beach or a pool and bars, cafes, and night clubs, you won't have to think about how to help her to spend her leisure time.
Only if you planned to stay 3 weeks in a remote farm house in Tuscany, I would ask her if she was cool with that.
Dec 25th, 2007, 08:56 AM
#50
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My DH and I were at a seminar that was a beach resort and we took our then 2 yo. I was concerned about using the sitters there that i didn't know esp since it was near water. We took a friend, who happened to be doing a medical Fellowship so I felt very comfortable knowing IF something happened my son would be in good hands. It was the first vacation she took during her entire residency so she welcomed the chance to go .
We paid for everything including spending money. In return she did almost all his care. He slept in her room ( we paid for 2), she fed , bathed and played with him while we were in class, and rested while he napped. We all had B'fast and dinner together. I was a little uncomfortable at first having her do everything with me there but it worked for us. She wasn't a night life person so she didn't want to go out . We would stay out after my son went to bed.
I don't know about the insurance since she had her own but I'm sure you can find out easily enough
I say go for it and have fun knowing your son will be taken care of .
We paid for everything including spending money. In return she did almost all his care. He slept in her room ( we paid for 2), she fed , bathed and played with him while we were in class, and rested while he napped. We all had B'fast and dinner together. I was a little uncomfortable at first having her do everything with me there but it worked for us. She wasn't a night life person so she didn't want to go out . We would stay out after my son went to bed.
I don't know about the insurance since she had her own but I'm sure you can find out easily enough
I say go for it and have fun knowing your son will be taken care of .
Dec 25th, 2007, 06:52 PM
#51
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I took a sitter with us when our kids were little. (They are now 20 & 17). We always made sure she had her own room and we paid for all her food. Anything we did as a family we paid for her too. (admittance to events, etc.) Sometimes we took them to dinner with us, others we ordered pizza (or whatever they wanted) and then we DH & I went out for a nice dinner together. We offered a flat rate before we went so it was understood. We never negotiated a daily "off" time before we left, you never know what can come up. I never told her that we wanted "family" time. If I thought enough of her to bring her with, I treated her as a member of our family. I also had parents verbal and written permission. I made sure we had her insurance information with us. I made it clear I paid ALL expenses, she brought her own spending $. I don't think we mistreated her (I certainly tried not to! I've always said never mess with a babysitter or hairdresser!) because not only did we keep the same sitter for years, we got to know her best friend and she was more than willing to jump in when her friend wasn't available. When my kids were older my DH & I wanted to vacation alone. She was single (around age 20 when we started this) and had a full time job. Then we paid her to stay in our home while we were gone. She would move in for a week to ten days. She would get the kids off to school, go to work, come home, cook dinner, (or buy it with some spending $ we left for them) check homework, baths, feed the dogs etc. We paid around $500 a week for that. (and no, we aren't rich. I saved for her just as I saved for the trip.)
The kids loved her, could have cared less that we left. She helped give me an "adult" life. Treat her like gold - she's WORTH EVERY DIME!
The kids loved her, could have cared less that we left. She helped give me an "adult" life. Treat her like gold - she's WORTH EVERY DIME!
Dec 26th, 2007, 03:10 AM
#52
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I want to thank everyone for taking the time to reply to this post. It opened my eyes to some things we hadn't thought about, like insurance! But it also convinced me that this is a really good idea. Now, it's just a matter of narrowing down our destination choices!
Thank you.
Thank you.
Dec 27th, 2007, 08:59 PM
#53
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If you want a more detailed response regarding our experiences with baby sitters my e mail is [email protected] feel free to ask any questions
Dec 28th, 2007, 04:40 AM
#54
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I think it's a great idea and I have known some "babysitters" who have gone on family trips.
AND if your babysitter cannot go with you, I have four daughters (ages 21, 20, 16, and 14) who would love to go!!! LOL
AND if your babysitter cannot go with you, I have four daughters (ages 21, 20, 16, and 14) who would love to go!!! LOL
Dec 28th, 2007, 07:55 AM
#55
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ira
To clarify shellidawn's explanation somewhat:
The varying age of majority in Canadian provinces reflects both the differing distribution of power between the provinces and the federal government, and the history of the respective legislative acts. No single act governs the age of majority, hence the discrepancy. (I believe it is much the same case in the US.)
For example, a child must be supported by the respective parents or guardian until the age of majority as such is outlined by the respective provincial act. So, in 4 provinces,Nunavut, and 2 territories, one must support one's child until age 19. (Oddly enough there have been no calls by under-18 year olds for repeal of acts governing child support, unlike the calls for further lowering of the voting age.... )
Meanwhile, in matters that are exclusively federal, such as military participation, federal elections, etc. the age of majority is 18.
For all practical purposes, everything else is governed provincially. The provinces in turn lowered their respective legal voting age to bring it in line with the federal voting age of 18, so one can vote in municipal and provincial elections once one has reached the age of 18. (The federal voting age in turn was lowered in recognition of the eligible age for military service being 18.)
However, the trend has been to maintain, rather than lower, the current provincial age of majority for behaviour deemed of little social merit if not downright dangerous to the individual and society at large. For example, the horrific number of alcohol-related deaths among young people has motivated the retention of the age of 19 in many provinces for purchase of alcohol products. The particular susceptibility of young people to the deleterious effects of tobacco use has also resulted in an increase of the legal age at which one may legally purchase tobacco (it was formerly 16 years in most provinces; it is now in many cases 18 and even 19 years of age.) So, inconsistent the age might be, but the inconsistency is not without justification.
Anyway, all this is somewhat off-track of the original topic. Regarding that, I like the proposal of one poster to pay a stipulated sum and maximum number of hours of work per day, rather than trying to work it out on an hourly basis.
As for the question of the baby
sitter s legal independence, it might be helpful to check the relevant laws of the country which one is visiting, since these, rather than those of one s home country (let alone one s personal opinions on the subject) are what will apply during one s visit.
In short, if BKP has a mind to visit, oh, say, Saudi Arabia along with Tuscany, etc., I would say all bets are off.....
To clarify shellidawn's explanation somewhat:
The varying age of majority in Canadian provinces reflects both the differing distribution of power between the provinces and the federal government, and the history of the respective legislative acts. No single act governs the age of majority, hence the discrepancy. (I believe it is much the same case in the US.)
For example, a child must be supported by the respective parents or guardian until the age of majority as such is outlined by the respective provincial act. So, in 4 provinces,Nunavut, and 2 territories, one must support one's child until age 19. (Oddly enough there have been no calls by under-18 year olds for repeal of acts governing child support, unlike the calls for further lowering of the voting age....
)Meanwhile, in matters that are exclusively federal, such as military participation, federal elections, etc. the age of majority is 18.
For all practical purposes, everything else is governed provincially. The provinces in turn lowered their respective legal voting age to bring it in line with the federal voting age of 18, so one can vote in municipal and provincial elections once one has reached the age of 18. (The federal voting age in turn was lowered in recognition of the eligible age for military service being 18.)
However, the trend has been to maintain, rather than lower, the current provincial age of majority for behaviour deemed of little social merit if not downright dangerous to the individual and society at large. For example, the horrific number of alcohol-related deaths among young people has motivated the retention of the age of 19 in many provinces for purchase of alcohol products. The particular susceptibility of young people to the deleterious effects of tobacco use has also resulted in an increase of the legal age at which one may legally purchase tobacco (it was formerly 16 years in most provinces; it is now in many cases 18 and even 19 years of age.) So, inconsistent the age might be, but the inconsistency is not without justification.
Anyway, all this is somewhat off-track of the original topic. Regarding that, I like the proposal of one poster to pay a stipulated sum and maximum number of hours of work per day, rather than trying to work it out on an hourly basis.
As for the question of the baby
sitter s legal independence, it might be helpful to check the relevant laws of the country which one is visiting, since these, rather than those of one s home country (let alone one s personal opinions on the subject) are what will apply during one s visit.
In short, if BKP has a mind to visit, oh, say, Saudi Arabia along with Tuscany, etc., I would say all bets are off.....
Dec 31st, 2007, 11:45 AM
#57
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There is also the issue of insurance coverage?
Pardon me -- I do not know the rules re: EU coverage, so this may be irrelevant. However, 'just a suggestion to think about what happens if she has an accident or needs medical attention -- how is she covered, who can act on her behalf, etc.
Pardon me -- I do not know the rules re: EU coverage, so this may be irrelevant. However, 'just a suggestion to think about what happens if she has an accident or needs medical attention -- how is she covered, who can act on her behalf, etc.
Dec 31st, 2007, 04:58 PM
#58
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The babysitter in question is 18 years of age - an adult, and doesn't need anyone to approve her medical care.
And my understanding is that for emergency situations treatment for citizens of other EU countries is free.
And my understanding is that for emergency situations treatment for citizens of other EU countries is free.
Jan 1st, 2008, 12:41 AM
#59
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NYtraveler is almost right about health coverage.
Every EU citizen is entitled to health care in other EU countries on the same terms as a local citizen. We carry a credit-card sized card called a European Health Insurance Card to prove that entitlement. This is not just emergency coverage, as it may include kidney dialysis, for example, which is part of a planned programme.
Travel insurance is still necessary for things like repatriation of the seriously injured or deceased, and to pay for any special arrangements that may be required. However, insurance costs are much reduced if you limit your travel to Europe, and are higher if you need world-wide insurance, especially for the United States.
Every EU citizen is entitled to health care in other EU countries on the same terms as a local citizen. We carry a credit-card sized card called a European Health Insurance Card to prove that entitlement. This is not just emergency coverage, as it may include kidney dialysis, for example, which is part of a planned programme.
Travel insurance is still necessary for things like repatriation of the seriously injured or deceased, and to pay for any special arrangements that may be required. However, insurance costs are much reduced if you limit your travel to Europe, and are higher if you need world-wide insurance, especially for the United States.
Jan 2nd, 2008, 07:08 AM
#60
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Re: Travel insurance--your babysitter needs to get an European Health Insurance Card. It's free (assuming she has a NIS number), covers NHS equivalent in EU and Switzerland, and you can find the application form from post office.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
Search "EHIC".
When we take our nanny on holiday, we pay weekly rate, in addition to flight/food (but not if she's dining out by herself)/ accomodation. Her rate is equivalent to live-in nanny wage (anywhere from £250-450/wk). Though you can probably get away with paying less if she doesn't do full-time work and has only one child to look after. You need to arrange evening-out plans--we usually give our nanny 1-2 nights out per week.
She also does kids' laundry and cooking.
One more thing to consider is transportation. Will your babysitter be able to get around without renting a second car? Many villas in south of France and Tuscany are in areas with limited public transportation.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
Search "EHIC".
When we take our nanny on holiday, we pay weekly rate, in addition to flight/food (but not if she's dining out by herself)/ accomodation. Her rate is equivalent to live-in nanny wage (anywhere from £250-450/wk). Though you can probably get away with paying less if she doesn't do full-time work and has only one child to look after. You need to arrange evening-out plans--we usually give our nanny 1-2 nights out per week.
She also does kids' laundry and cooking.
One more thing to consider is transportation. Will your babysitter be able to get around without renting a second car? Many villas in south of France and Tuscany are in areas with limited public transportation.
