How to Keep Kids Out of Trouble While You Entertain at a Dinner Party.

Hiring someone to watch the baby sounds like a good idea. I was hired to do that when I used to babysit in college. One couple was having a dinner party and hired me to watch the baby so they could tend to their guests and enjoy themselves.

Are any of the guests local neighbors? We've had adult parties at one home, and a "kid party" at another home. Kid friendly - pizza, video games, etc and a couple of babysitters and you're all set.

Teens! :) Hire a 2-3 and have them keep an eye on the kids and entertain them. My 15 year old gets between 5-10/hour, just depends on how many kids and who they are. Perhaps the guests could pitch in like $10/family for the sitter that way the expense isn't all yours.

I would hire one or two teens. My daughter is 14 and makes $6 per hour, but she's raising her rate to $8 because she was 12 when she started at $6 but now that she's getting older, should make more. You definitely need to have some babysitters though so they won't ruin the dinner.

First of all, congratulations to you for choosing to be at home!! I have 2 teenagers, and it's well worth it.
I think you should perhaps ask the parents that are coming if they have any older siblings, and go from there. What I did in the past is hire an older cousin, and then have her bring a friend if there are going to be alot of children.
That way you also have a ride home from her if you dont feel like driving after entertaining all night. I usually paid 10.00 per hour more or less for more than one child, but that was some time ago. Good luck and have fun!

We had Christmas parties every year my kids were growing up. We hired a santa for the children, then turned the garage into a play area. Yes we did hire someone for the small children, and hired a teen for the older ones. The older children played games in the garage and won prizes. This way the children were entertained the whole evening. My children watch the videos of the Christmas parties nowadays and just love looking at them. I also hired a video guy to tape the parties. It was all worth it.

I would definitely hire someone to watch the kids. You won't be able to have fun or be a good hostess if you are busy watching after your kids. How much you pay really depends on how many kids they'll be in charge of. I'd say at least $10/hour, maybe up to $15 if it's a lot of kids.

K.
http://oc.citymommy.com

YES HIRE SOMEONE JUST FOR THE KIDS!!!!! And make it a kids party, too - throw in a few balloons and cupcakes and chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. Also a simple craft for the adult in charge to facilitate. Get a really competent teenager or a professional babysitter or a preschool teacher to be in charge of the kids party and pay them over $25 per hour (depending on how many kids show up, I think) Make sure they know it is a kids party and ask them for ideas to entertain the kids as well. Give them their own "kid zone" space and if one child is having a hard time, remove him from the kidzone and make them stay in the boring adult party with mommy until they beg to return to the kid zone. I would also ask the kidzone facilitator to help with cleanup, (but not if the party runs way into the wee hours) and pay for that time, too. Have a great party!

I love children friendly parties! They are always welcome at my home. Have family centered activities that incorporate kids into the event. Or create a "Kid Zone." Have toys, games, movies, popcorn, pizza etc. and have a grandparent, teenager who wants some extra cash or a super mom host the kid party. Your kids won't want to be anywhere near you!

My friend... had a Sitter (in fact 2 Sitters) come to her house when she had a party... that "included" her 2 kids and the other kids of the guests.
But, her youngest was a baby under 1 years old, and she would slip away to nurse him & check on him and put him to bed earlier than her other child... especially since he was the youngest of the children, and that was his routine. She kept to the her baby's routine, even though having a party. Believe me, the guests, who are parents themselves, understand.

Next, being that it is an "adult" party, even though the kids will be tagging along... my friend DID have an "end time" to the party. It was for her sake, and for the kids, and to keep things organized and not having the party dragging on and on until the last straggling guest still sitting on your couch. Most parents at her party, did leave by a certain time though (even though she did have an end-time to the party)... because they have kids and kids get tired and need to go to bed and or get fussy. But that is her and just what happened at her party.

Next, at her party, there were kids of varying ages... so the activities she had, we in light of this. She had some play things, and simple activities for the kids to do... and FOR the Sitters to do with them. And, the kids were, as much as possible, sequestered in the playroom/den of the home. But as kids are, they did come out and "join" their parents and keeping kids IN a room all night, is like trying to keep marbles from rolling down a hill. It can't be helped. But she just got the Sitters as a means of assisting her, and managing her kids and the guests kids. But still, the other Parents ARE still responsible for their kids and feeding them and when it was dinner time, they ALL sat together and ate with the kids at their kiddie tables. Or when their kid was either calling for them and/or having a melt-down etc.

The typical rate depends on where you live and what the Sitter will be expected to do etc.. For my friend, she paid about $12/hour.

All the best,
Susan

Definitely hire someone. My cousin hired a sitter for all the under-5s for a family gathering (including my then 18 m.o.) and it was a dream. The kids were present and able to share in the gathering, but Daddy and I were able to carry on adult conversations with our family. Perfect.

I chipped in on the fee so I don't know what she paid; I figure whatever the sitter would charge normally for the service would be fair. It's not really that different a venue for him/her; with the added bonus that you'll be present "just in case". If other folks are bringing their kids as well, you are within your rights to ask them to help with the fee if the sitter ends up watching them as well (and he/she will.)

Let us know how it turns out! Have a great party!

E.,
That should be easy! Just hire a babysitter for the evening right in your own home. My daughther spent quite a bit of time babysitting for people while they were home having a party, getting unpacked, whatever the case may be. Hire out for the young one! Enjoy your party!
~~D.

I have hired a babysitter to watch/entertain the kids at a gathering I hosted. I actually had 2 sitters (they were friends) that watched about 15 kids ages 1-7. I paid $15/hr. that they split. They were responsible high school students and played along side the kids in another area. The kids and the sitters had so much fun!!! And, we adults were able to enjoy our gathering with almost no interruptions.

FYI...at my church we pay our nursery attendant $15/hr to watch kids during the worship services. He's in college, CPR/first aid trained and has child development experience. Taxes are taken out and he has no benefits. Putting that in perspective, $10-15 an hour is more than sufficient for your party.

We went to a dinner party wherein the host hired a sitter to watch over all the kids. Basically the adult party was downstairs and the sitter kept all the kids upstairs. The sitter was so much fun and planned a whole lot of fun activities for the kids. My kids were having so much fun that unless I was checking on them (which was often but not too often), I never saw them =-) She was so much fun that the kids saw her as another person to play with, not a babysitter. The bonus was that she kept all the kids safe and entertained. Since the sitter also kept an eye on my children, I paid her myself. It turned out that my husband and I were able to completely relax and enjoy adult conversation without constant interruptions!

We've hired our regular baby sitter and paid her her regular rate for as long as she was there. If there are a lot of kids, you may need two sitters to help out. I have also had my cleaning lady come to help at the party. She cleans up during the party so you don't have as much to do at the end of the night.

I tried doing a party without help and I spent most of the time making sure the kids were ok and didn't spend much time at the party. So, definitely get help if you want to enjoy yourself.

Hope this helps!

Hire your favorite babysitter, and have her bring a friend. Wrangle 'em up and have an area designated for the kids and let them play. It will make things more enjoyable for both you and your guests.

Yes, you will definately want childcare at your party if you plan on being a good hostess & enjoying yourself!! I just hosted a party last night & couldn't have done it without my nanny supervising not only my child but the other children that came to the party. I would highly recommend a craft or cookie-decorating station if you have a separate area in the house so the kids have something to look forward to & stay entertained aside from videos & movies. They will get some enjoyment out of the party too ~ almost like a kids party! Just some ideas for you.

My friend just hosted a birthday part for her 7 yr old son and 5 yr old daughter on the same day, at the park. She hire two teenagers to help. They did crafts and games while Mom ran around making sure the food was out, lighting the cakes, etc. It worked well, was less stressful for mom, and kids always think teenagers are way "cooler" than their parents.

db