Taking a "Babysitter" on a Vacation with You

Coming from a local to you babysitter with 16 yrs experience I would feel comfortable being in the same room with another family esp a dad..

I would like the moms below state ask about a suite with a seperate room... as a parent i would not let me teenager be in the same room... too weird and gross.

I took a sitter on vacation with us one time and did kind of like what you said. We paid for the whole trip plus gave her $200.00. She did have a separate room that adjoined to us and she shared it with the kids. So, they shared a bed and she had the other bed. We only did this because it would have been hard to have a normal room for 5 people and share it comfortably. I guess it would depend on the room situation. If you have a suite where you guys are in a separate area and then she and the kids are in the "den" area, I think that's fine. I think it's OK for her to share space with the kids, but I think it's a bit weird to share space with the 2 adults, especially the hubby.

If you are able to get a connecting room that would be great for her. That way at the end of the day she can have her space and you yours. and she will be safe alone next to you guys.

I think a room with the kids is fine. She's the babysitter and I think she should be with the kids. She isn't on vacation......she's getting paid to help you.

Be upfront about all expectations and I think if she agrees all will be great! I doubt a teenager would even be comfortable in a room alone. As a parent I wouldn't like it.

I am assuming you did not mean stay in a room with you and your husband. I would not let my daughter go if that was expected.

I would definitely think that she would need her own room. Just not at all appropriate for a teenager to be sharing a room with an adult of the opposite sex no matter how innocent it it. Ideally you could get a suite with several bedrooms that could seperate her sleeping area.

Wow there are a lot of trust issues on this one. Is there not an Aunt, neice or grandmother that is available? A separate room that adjoins would be my choice. The kids can take turns having a slumber-party with the sitter.

I would absolutely have the group meet together and have everything written down. Like what hours, how many hours, if she has free time does she get alone time in a strange place with no adult supervision, what are your expectations of her level of care, is her main responsibility to stay at the resort and keep the handicapped son company if he isn't up to going out on a particular day? Is her primary duties to the other kids? Is she going to be taking her meals with the family or expected to buy her own even when she is "on the clock", there are a lot of things that can come up and I think if she has a good relationship with your family she will be able to ask and be able to compromise in any way she can.

On the other hand, an adult friend may be able to manage being at Disney and not being able to experience the whole thing. An adult may be able to see the bigger picture and actually be more help.

I would get a room that has bedrooms. There are houses you can rent all over Disney. Majority of them have pools. We rented a house last year when we went with my husband’s family. It was great b/c everyone had their own room. If you're set on a hotel, definitely one with room. I wouldn't want my teenager in her own hotel room and she might feel uncomfortable sleeping in the same room w/ you & your hubbs.

I think that would be part of the conversation you have with her parents. I wouldn't want my teenager in her own room. I also wouldn't want her sharing a room with a grown man. I would be agreeable to a "suite" type room. Her mom may feel differantly.

I agree with Patty, I think she should stay in the kid's room. If you are renting a house and you have the extra room the I think is fine for her to have her room.
Have fun in your trip.

I went to Disney with my former bosses and they always rent a house when they go. I had my own room and it was nice to have some quiet, alone time. Granted I was in my 30s at the time but I'm sure she'd like to have her own room/space at the end of the day.

I would request a suite of 2 bedrooms or so and 2 bathrooms. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting myself in that position if I was a teenager to share a room with you and the kids. That's a little weird. However, it's an awesome idea having her help!

I think she will need her own space, yes. You might want to go ahead and start looking at where you want to stay. If you stay on-property, your choices may be limited as far as "suites with two bedrooms." They make them, but there aren't many to choose from. You may look at the options and decide you'd be happier with two side-by-side rooms with the doors open in between them. Or you may decide you need to stay off-property.

My aunt and uncle take their babysitter with them to our family reunion every year, one of my cousins has very severe cerebral palsy. This year they brought a woman named Amy who is training to be a nurse. Amy (and I think all previous helpers) shared a room with my cousin in case she needed something in the middle of the night. Your situation would depend on whether or not you wanted yourselves or the babysitter to be responsible for your child's night time needs. We have our family reunion at a large C. every year and there are lots of things to do like swimming, boating, crafts, we visit the nearby town and just hang around each other and talk or read or whatever. Amy spent most of her time with my cousin, although not all of it. I'm not sure how much they paid her but I imagine it was a lump sum of some sort as figuring out her hours on duty would be really difficult given the fluidity of the daily schedule. I know she had some down time to do whatever she wanted.
I would work out ahead of time what your expectations are. She may or may not be comfortable sharing a room but their are plenty of time share condos that can be rented which would have enough bedrooms for everyone. Tell her what hours you expect her to be on duty and what time she can use as she pleases. You didn't say how old she is but I'm assuming that since you're asking her parents permission she's under eighteen in which case you'll need to figure out a curfew and where she's allowed to go on her own. This is something you should involve her parents in.
I'm sure that I'm forgetting things but you get the general idea.

Here's a perspective: when i was 18, I went with a family on their vacation as a babysitter. I babysat for them all the time already, and this was a family that I knew very well, they were friends of my family before they ever had kids, and I loved the mom, dad, and the kids, of course! They paid for my food and lodging, and I think my parents paid for my airline ticket and spending money. I think I had my own room when one was available (we stayed in a hotel for a week and then also in a rental vacation home for a week). At the hotel, I think I slept in a room with the kids while the parents had their own room (there were cots available, but we just used the beds with me and the little girl in one and the little boy in the other and called it our own sleepover). I do remember having a little free time one night where I went to dinner with some other kids my age that we had met at the resort, and I also spent an afternoon or two shopping on my own. But I spent the majority of my time with the family, and that was great with me. They included me in all activities (scuba diving, sailing, all meals, a day at an amusement park) and covered the costs, even the scuba resort course - which was amazing!

I had the time of my life. My family wasn't the island vacation type, so I was in heaven. I had a blast with the kids, got a fabulous tan without trying, and learned a lot about travel without my parents around to take care of things. I never felt like "hired help" or anything, but I definitely was in charge of the children a lot of the time. I was grateful for the experience and had such an amazing time.

Update: I didn't get paid anything other than having all my expenses covered except airfare. And I don't remember worrying about hours...they were laid back about it and so was I. In fact, I think the time that I was on my own, or "off duty," was their suggestion, not mine. Basically, they were a family that I was familiar with and comfortable with, so it didn't feel like a job to me. If you don't have a similar relationship with this sitter, or if you all or she is not as laid back about it, it couldn't hurt to lay out your expectations as to how many hours per day she is on duty, how many evenings she is on duty, what her free hours would be, etc. Whatever works for y'all.

My overall thought is that if it's someone who is already familiar with your kids and your family and is a comfortable fit with your family, it can be a great way to have some extra help while you travel.

We just got back from Aruba and my husband and I were saying how nice it would have been to bring our nanny along. We are going to disney in march, and we are renting a house through vrbo.com
you may want to consider renting a house because i think she would definitley need her own room. Good luck and have fun!

Have you considered renting one of the Vacation Club Villas? They are like condos on site. You could get a 2 or 3 br villa . As the parent of a teen I wouldn't feel comfortable w/her sharing a room w/someone of the opposite sex OR in one by herself. If I knew she was in a condo like situation-in her own bedroom, but still safe under your care,I would feel better. They offer them at different price points too so it could accommodate your budget.