My kids don't like the baby-sitters

[brachysira]

We have always had a college-age baby-sitter come for a few hours every week--first I was teaching online, then we had a newborn and a toddler, and now I just need time out from child refereeing in order to get chores done and stay sane.  We have two college students who are really busy, but they're fairly reliable.  I suspect they are not the most engaged (one told me she loved to watch DS b/c he played by himself so well), but I think they do okay.  Recently my kids are really resistant to have them.  DS doesn't mind as much, but DD is really unhappy about it to the extent that I end up just punishing her in her room because she refuses to go to the playroom with the baby-sitter so I can work.  We don't have any nearby family, DH travels and works long hours, and I just need a bit of alone time.  But I'm starting to think that maybe I should just put on a movie and retreat to the bedroom rather than pay for a sitter that the kids don't enjoy.  Or I can shop for a new sitter, but that involves a lot of work.  What do you think?

[pinkie]

for me time, I would leave the house when the sitter is there. For doing chores, if your kids will sit with the TV I'd just do that. Our kids love our sitter (she's T's daycare teacher) but if they knew we were home they would not stay with her.

[wineandcake]

My kid tells me he doesn't like the babysitter. Whenever one of us stops by the house to grab something during the day or just drop by he's having a great time and happy as can be. I really think he's doing it as a way to get us to stay home rather than leave him. Kids are smarter than we think and likely catch on to this. I would keep having the sitter and just leave the house, that way you don't have to deal with the resisting the sitter. Unless you suspect neglect or abuse of any sort I would guess it's just kids having a preference for mom.

[brachysira]

Yeah, having kids here while I work has been a problem in the past because they always seek me out. More recently I have the baby-sitter take them to the park or indoor play place or library most of the time. Even then, DD balks. I don't think there's abuse. I just think maybe these young women are on their phones or just don't really focus on my kids as much. DH says that it doesn't matter because I need a break, but I just want the kids to have a good experience and it's the only thing they don't want to do (except sleep) so I'm just not sure if I should make them since I don't really have to. They have historically loved having baby-sitters and there was one this summer who would bring activities and they still ask for her, but of course she's off changing the world somewhere.