What To Do When Your Babysitter Is Away On Vacation

Summer is a time when people go on vacation. We all deserve time off for rest and relaxation. This is true, even of your usual babysitter. However, this means that you will have to find a replacement babysitter while your usual babysitter is on vacation. It can be difficult, but it can be done.

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Find an alternative

While it is best to not constantly rely on family members to babysit your children, it can be done in the case where your usual babysitter is on vacation. Your family members may babysit for free, but they do not have the same certifications that your babysitter has. They are familiar with your children, so you will not have to worry about your children being nervous around a new person. They also know how to reach you and may even know emergency contacts for where you live.

Ask your partner to help. If your partner was going to do something during the time you were going to, see if they would be willing to stay home with the kids while you do your thing. Just be sure to repay the favor in the future. This may only work out if their activity can be labeled as “less important” or less urgent than your task. Otherwise, you may have to find someone else.

If you need a babysitter to go to the gym, check to see if your gym has a space where they watch your children while you work out. If not, you may be able to find a gym that offers these services and get a guest pass for the time when your usual sitter is away.

Your babysitter likely gave notice of their vacation. They may even have friends who can also babysit and you can ask them if they have anyone they can recommend to fill their spot in their absence. This way, your sitter can help fill in the substitute to what they need to know about the kids and give first-hand advice. You can also use Wyndy, a platform that makes finding highly vetted college babysitters and nannies in your neighborhood easy, affordable, and quick. Every Wyndy babysitter and nanny is screened by a Wyndy team member, undergoes an extensive background check and is verified as an enrolled student by the National Student Clearinghouse.

Arrange your schedule

As mentioned above, your sitter likely gave you at least a few weeks’ notice that they would be going away. However, at the beginning of summer, you may want to check in to see if they have vacation plans. This way, you can plan ahead. Your family may even decide to go on vacation at the same time your sitter is. If not, you can arrange your work schedule if you are unable to find another option.

Also, you may be able to use your usual schedule to your favor. If your kids are in sports or lessons of some kind, use this time to do what you usually use your sitter for. See if you can get another parent or guardian to keep an eye on your children during this time so you can do what you need or want to do. Your children may miss your presence, but it is only a temporary situation.

Talk to your boss about alternative work options if you are unable to find a babysitter. See if your boss will allow you to work from home so you can stay home with your kids or see if you can arrange a schedule where you go to work when your partner gets home from their job or activities. Make sure it is clear that this situation is temporary. If you are unable to come to a happy medium that works, take time off of work.

Be prepared

If you are unable to find a family member who can babysit while your babysitter is on vacation, you will likely have to find a different sitter for the period. This means that your children will have to meet someone new. For younger children, this can be more daunting and may bring out separation anxiety. To help reduce this anxiety, communicate with your children that there will be a new sitter for a brief period. You may even have the babysitter come over while you are home so your kids can meet them. This will help your kids get to know them so they feel more at ease. Avoid rushing out the door, but also do not let the goodbyes last too long.

Your usual babysitter likely has a collection of fun activities they bring when they come to babysit your children. However, your “substitute babysitter” may not be as familiar with your kids or have activities for your kids to do. Be sure to either give them ideas of things they can do or even leave supplies. This can be anything from crafts and games to recipes and educational shows. You know your kids well enough to know how they respond to certain activities, especially ones that your sitter has done with them in the past.

Finding an alternative when your babysitter is on vacation can be difficult, but planning ahead and knowing various solutions can help prepare you so you can make preparations and not feel as stressed at the last minute.