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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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1 year 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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Megan Curl
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1 year 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!

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ᴀʟᴇxᴏᴛʟ_ᴛʜᴇɢʀᴇᴀᴛ
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1 year 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

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Ember
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1 year 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

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"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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1 year 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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Lousha
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1 year 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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1 year 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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Greg Williams
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mainly feel bad for the kid, as someone who has night terrors while younger the only way I could get through them is basically using my parents as an anchor to help end them. Being without your parents in a time like that would be torture.

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Lawrencium
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Night Terrors: Episodes of screaming, intense fear, and flailing while still asleep, often paired with sleepwalking.

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JJ
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband still haves them. The worst part was that he didn't believe me for years that he sometimes freaked out at night. One time it was so bad, he grabbed me and didn't want to let go (he dreamt about an accident). Doctor's were no help, either (told him to use benzodiazepines; we refused - I doubt I could wake him up then as it was hard enough without any pills). The solution: Smartwatch with sleep tracker and self-programmed app. If his pulse rises, the smartwatch vibrates and wakes him up - not quite, but enough to interrupt him and start the sleep phase over again. To all parents with children experiencing night terrors: f*cking get it checked, get involved and be sensitive to your child! If it manifests itself, it will be a big issue as an adult.

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WordWeaver
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is so lucky to have you to help him! Glad you both found a solution.

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Misstaken138
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be terrifying. I know my 5yo boy has night terrors and it still freaks me out every time it happens.

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Thomas Ewing
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A sweet five-year-old I was watching woke up crying pitifully for her mommy. I simply told her I was waiting, too, and would make sure mom came in and saw her when she got home. This calmed the child down as I sat next to the bed until she was asleep. I was pleased the drama was brief. A child's tears can sure seem desperate! Mom was fine.

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Pippaisbisexual
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use to have night terrors at around 3 years old it was so scary and freaky for my parents to hear hear me screaming and crying 😬 And the only way to get out of them was having my parents there which was a pain for them 😕

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Key Lime
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I told my son's friend's Mum that my kid had Night Terrors. She heard but did not understand. By the next morning she understood.

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Robin Roper
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son had night terrors; they are scary as heck until you understand what they are and there's absolutely nothing that will stop them.

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Poly Amorous
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quick question: what ARE night terrors? I've always thought they were a synonym for nightmares

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Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had night terrors throughout my childhood, along with other trauma and it was so bad that my brain has blocked it all out. A good portion of my childhood is a big blur but I have stories from my mother of me sleep walking, jerking around and screaming bloody murder while I slept at night. I feel so bad for what she had to go through raising me. I was a handful I know, being on the spectrum, and she couldn’t even get a break at night. And I don’t even remember half of it

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#26

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indiecognition
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1 year 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

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"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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1 year 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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Note: this post originally had 37 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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