Would you leave your child with a babysitter in a foreign country? (poll)

[TimT]

If that's what the concerns boil down to then I'm doing it every vacation. Maybe even weeks at a time

Not sure what that means.

[Emkay]

Not sure what that means.

Basically, that's not even on my radar of things to be nervous about since

I don't think that's a typical problem especially in a professional babysitting service.

[shauly]

Forget abuse/neglect. I've had problems with Jewish baby sitters who know better giving my kid non cholov yisroel. Imagine what a goy who never heard of kashrus before might do.

[Emkay]

Imagine what a goy who never heard of kashrus before might do.

they are capable of following directions to the T. Its being heimish that causes those issues

[TimT]

Basically, that's not even on my radar of things to be nervous about since

You'd be surprised

[sammy n]

Forget abuse/neglect. I've had problems with Jewish baby sitters who know better giving my kid non cholov yisroel. Imagine what a goy who never heard of kashrus before might do.

And what would you say if the kid is too young to be eating food, then you would be fine with it?

[TimT]

I don't think that's a typical problem especially in a professional babysitting service.

OP didn't specify professional babysitting service.

[sammy n]

OP didn't specify professional babysitting service.

I definitely don't think he was excluding it.

[shauly]

And what would you say if the kid is too young to be eating food, then you would be fine with it?

Nope. The jewelry comparison was spot on in my opinion.

[rileywiles23]

Emkay, what does your wife have to say on the matter ?

Well my kid has been to around 15 countries in 15 months and I never did it, so that should answer your question.

It does. That's why, no matter what rationalization I try, it doesn't help.
My wife would never do it, end of story.

[dudi]

I don't understand how people can be so relaxed about this you are talking about your most valuable possessions no matter how much fun you gonna have because of it how can a person take the chances?

[Emkay]

OP didn't specify professional babysitting service.

What do you think I was referring to? Going to the night market in CNX and taking bids? Obviously going through the hotel or similar

[benjie1305]

The whole point of not consulting with anyone and not getting any recommendation makes no sense to me. I don't see anyone - or at least not myself - getting myself a babysitter *whether through the hotel, a service etc.* without getting any sort of feedback first.

Aside from that I believe that I would - for a few hours - be OK getting myself a service from a reputable service/hotel given good sources and feedback and specific instructions and checking in with the babysitter.

[Emkay]

I don't understand how people can be so relaxed about this you are talking about your most valuable possessions no matter how much fun you gonna have because of it how can a person take the chances?

I'm still waiting for you to properly and clearly explain the major chances I would be taking that wouldn't be considered paranoid.

[rileywiles23]

I don't understand how people can be so relaxed about this you are talking about your most valuable possessions no matter how much fun you gonna have because of it how can a person take the chances?

While I understand your point, it is a bit flawed.
I'm assuming that at times you take neighborhood babysitters at night, while you go to weddings.
Would you trust the same teenager, who you trust to watch your child, with 10k dollars to keep safe ?!

[benjie1305]

I don't understand how people can be so relaxed about this you are talking about your most valuable possessions no matter how much fun you gonna have because of it how can a person take the chances?

Me and my wife work for a living. We need a housekeeper to watch our children. There is always a chance of something happening. Should one of us stop working now?

[sky121]

Me and my wife work for a living. We need a housekeeper to watch our children. There is always a chance of something happening. Should one of us stop working now?

No. But I assume you're going to do a lot of research and try your best to pick the most reliable person.  Which takes time. Something you don't have the luxury of when at a hotel.

[benjie1305]

No. But I assume you're going to do a lot of research and try your best to pick the most reliable person.  Which takes time. Something you don't have the luxury of when at a hotel.

Correct. However, with a reputable service in the foreign country or a service provided by a reputable hotel where the service has excellent feedback I would do it as well. Again, I would look into it a lot and gather my sources and - if all comes back the way I would want it and be comfortable with - I'd be ok with it.

[sky121]

That's fine. Research is important. Like I said I don't think it's scandalous or some crazy idea. And obviously something bad can always happen.

I just wouldn't do it.

[SLMYRCB]

Among other precautions, have a Nanny cam and show the sitter that child must always be visible.

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/turn-your-old-phone-into-a-home-security-camera/