Do you have a babysitter that lives far and has a long commute to get to your house? If so, has this created any problems?
I am considering a permanent weekend sitter (for 10 hr days), but she lives almost 30 miles away, so, my first thought, is that it might be too far. But, my other thought, is that even someone that lives 5 minutes away can be late, or have other issues with being punctual. What do you think? Thanks!
Our babysitter drives from Corona (53 miles each way - 1 hour drive) and is NEVER late. In fact, she arrives 30 minutes early, on the dot each and every time she watches the kids. She feeds, disciplines, etc 3 of our 4 kids the same way we do, so the transition is easy. She also brings her as 16 month old with her that our children adore. We pay her $20/hour - you get what you pay for!
here is indiana 30 miles is nothing. my cousin babysitts for me some times and she live 1.5hrs aways
Is she willing to drive 30 miles? If so, then go for it. What is the traffic like at the time that she'd be driving to you? Are there a couple of alternate routes if there is an accident on the road she normally takes? It's not easy to find a babysitter that you trust. I say if she's willing to make the drive and plans to be on time, then go for it.
I don't have this issue but my thoughts are that if she is going to be driving that kind of distance round-trip, how much do you plan to pay her and does the time you pay her for include her drive time? After all she is going to have to pay for gas, not to mention the increased wear and tear on her car. I know a lot of people choose to commute longer distances for their jobs and accept these things as part of the package of working where they work, but it's still something to think about. You might have to be prepared for her being late if there are circumstances beyond her control (car accident, etc.) and it would probably be a good idea to have someone as a back-up just in case. In the end, all you can do is offer her the job if you decide to have her as a baby sitter and see if she is willing to drive the distance required - it might not be too far for her if she really needs the money but everyone is different. If she ends up being chronically late, then it's time to find another sitter.
Living in Orlando and having to drive into town, from say Deltona, to work is a hard travel every day on a work day. If you are planning on only the weekends. I think it will work. Orlando traffic is so much lighter and easier in the mornings for travel on Saturday's and Sunday's on I-4 and the 408. If this was going to be during the work week, I would say no since the traffic is so unpredictable during the work week with school back in session. Make sure you have a back up sitter for those occassionaly traffic incidents that shut down our lovely I-4 for 4+ hours if that is the road the sitter must travel on to get to your house.
