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If there was a new reality show, it would surely be about babysitting. The journey starts before it begins: stressed-out parents are looking for a perfect nanny for their kid, not being able to trust anyone and making things even harder than they should be.

After finally finding the right one, things can turn sour every time, proving they didn’t win in the nanny lottery. But the lucky ones who find a good one have it forever. A babysitter becomes part of the family, accompanying them into adulthood when all there remains from childhood is an entangled blob of mostly good memories.

Every parent has a story about their babysitter and every babysitter has at least one in return. Or rather, thousands. Today, we take a look at some of the most entertaining, funny, wholesome, and sometimes sour babysitting experiences people will likely never forget.

Image credits: DaniAndi4

#1

Funny-Babysitting-Stories

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Lyyyy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was looking for a squishmallows plushie for 6-year old, and one of the department store employees (~20&M) points at a pink unicorn one and proudly tells me that he uses one as his sofa pillow, and it is so soft. That moment I felt the world has become a greater place.

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With so many nannies starting to babysit kids as early as high school and university, it’s no wonder that some parents may initially feel reluctant to trust them. And while getting to know your babysitter takes time, if you’re lucky, they will become part of your family you’d never want to part with.

So we reached out to Carly Glendinning, the editor of Absolutely Mama magazine, who shared some useful advice on finding a perfect babysitter/nanny for your child. “Whilst experience and good references are important, finding someone who you and your child get along with is my number one piece of advice,” she said.

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#6

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Megan Curl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. Same thing happened to me in a creepy little cabin on Cape Cod. My mom was furious. Didn’t get the $50 trouble bonus tho.

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According to Carly, it’s important to “make sure you spend time with them before you enter into an agreement, and watch how they interact and play with your little one. You’re likely to know instinctively if they are the right fit for your family.”

When it comes to a perfect babysitter, there are a handful of traits parents may want to be looking for in them. Carly said that someone who is reliable and you can trust is so important. “Energy and enthusiasm are also key. Creativity goes a long way when you are working with little ones, so find out about what kind of activities and play they will organize. A good sitter will be authoritative as well as being attentive and kind.”

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“Trust is built up over time,” Carly said and added that “it’s always good to do your research – checking out references and speaking to a babysitter or nanny’s previous employer(s). Using a reputable agency is also important.”

The editor of Absolutely Mama also reminds parents to “make sure you discuss any rules or guidelines fully before you start working together to ensure everyone is on the same page.” She added that finally, parents just have to trust their gut, and if your little ones are old enough, ask them!

#12

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ᴀʟᴇxᴏᴛʟ_ᴛʜᴇɢʀᴇᴀᴛ
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a sibling, and thankfully if our parents went out we would just watch tv and eat dinner till our parents got home. Only thing is that once my brother made the tv volume at 50, and I have very sensitive hearing, so after I told him he was the biggest a*****e ever and he said to “dEaL wiTh iT” so I told him to deal with this and strangle- punched him. End of story

Emma A
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wen I was young, my brother 18 months younger than me. I hit my brother often and we'd call each other all sorts of horrible names my mum told me one day he'd be bigger than me and hit back. Well one day we were fighting over the front seat mum heard a thump looked over and I was on the ground. My brother finally hit back and mum said I told you. From then on I stood at a safe distance and threw things at him. Siblings can be so horrible to each other and yet I love my brother and would do anything for him.

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Lyyyy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also did this, was about 14 years old babysitting siblings aged 13, 10 and 8. Wondered why, but of course I played with them and made sure there were no fights. Had to tell the 13 year old to go to bed at 9:30, and then myself stayed up watching tv and drawing well after midnight when the parents got home and I could go home.

Wondering Alice
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I regularly 'baby sat' my nextdoor neighbors kids, even though the oldest was in the year below me at school and the parents didn't start leaving them until the youngest was actually ok to be left. The mum always asked me if I was free to 'judge' rather than babysit - having been babysat by my older sister myself, I agreed.

Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never understood it, as a kid, when my friends would physically fight with their siblings. I have two brothers and we never did that.

Layla B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have 4 siblings, I’m the oldest, I’m 16. I’ve done things I look back on now and think: pshhh ameture

Kate
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2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Who else would be desperate enough to look after someone else's crotchmuffins?

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Trisha Howson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No teenager should not have kids it is hard having kids. I had a kid at 18 barley graduated highschool. But I made it and my kids made it.

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#15

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Ember
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my niece and nephew were young I’d let them have biscuits for breakfast and they’d tell their mum (giggling the whole time) that they had healthy toast and vegetables….lol

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#17

Funny-Babysitting-Stories

"I didn't realize what my sister meant when she warned me that my niece is a "climber." After babysitting her and turning my back for a few minutes, now I know"

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WildHoneyPie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Family story has it that my mom couldn't find my older sister when she was about two. She was looking in the kitchen when she heard a giggle and looked up. My sister had climbed to the top of the refrigerator! My mother never did figure out how she managed it.

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#22

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Lousha
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a nanny the 7 year old boy asked me what are those I have there, pointing to my boobs. I told her older girls have those, it's just how we're made. He told me that's not ture, his mom doesn't have them and she's a girl. It was very hard not to laugh. Indeed the women in his family were all slender, on the flat side, and dressed very modestly so with baggy tops a 7 year old didn't notice there was anything going on around their chest.

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#23

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Crazy Dog Lady
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im a mom of 3-in no way is this acceptable behavior from children. I know you’re joking but if my children did this to anyone there’d be some serious soul searching on all of our parts. Not acceptable my friend.

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#26

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indiecognition
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kiddie Slickers. Starring Dr. Heidi Hughes, Billy Crystal, Marv from Home Alone, and 4 little boys.

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#34

Funny-Babysitting-Stories

"My cousin babysits a child who is not very fond of her. She found this letter in his room, he left it on his desk. (Her name is Valerie)"

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Isabella
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The kids do not have the same perception over these things as the adults, so I think it is too much to call him psychopath. When I am thinking that in so many children tales the "bad" guy was decapitated or killed in other weird manner and the "good" guy lived happy ever after and it looked perfectly normal for me as a kid, but not so normal with my adult mind.

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#36

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RandomFrog(He/They️‍️)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

50 cents???? Like I enjoy doing dishes so I might do it jsut becuase but I would avoid it out of spite if I was only earning that much!

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#37

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Nadine Debard
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG. A 2 yo alone in a bathtub is a MAJOR drowning risk. Never ever let a toddler unattended next to water, and if your teenager doesn't know that, don't ask them to babysit.

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