The Baby-sitter’s Here – Dar Williams

Every other Sunday when Todd has to work, our baby-sitter comes to watch the kids so I can go to chorus. She’s a darling high school girl who lives on our street. She can redirect Riley and have her calm quicker than most trained professionals. Being a cool teenager carries a lot of clout. She even got them through it when Seth took a dive and bloodied his nose. You see, it was a disaster on two counts, Seth crying and bleeding, and Riley who DOES NOT DO BLOOD.

When I left last Sunday, a Dar Williams song came on in the car, and it occurred to me we have a baby-sitter. A real, regular baby-sitter. I cried a little. For so many years we have not had any support, and I mean none.

Todd and I have only had two weekends away together in nine years (and one of them was for an autism conference and I was sick so it doesn’t count). We’ve never lived near family, and there was never anyone we felt we could leave them with due to all the special needs and instructions. No weekly dates. No monthly dates. I’m sure there were times we went years.  

Our baby-sitter’s mom thinks we pay her too much. I thank her profusely when she comes and again when she leaves and she looks at me like I’m a little crazy. A little too grateful.

She has no idea what it means to us to be able to leave the kids, leave Riley, and be able to have a bit of adult freedom.  She has no idea how much we appreciate her.

Riley and Seth both adore her. It’s happy all around when she arrives. Hurray! The Baby-sitter’s here!

*Do not miss the video. It is precious.

  

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17 Responses to The Baby-sitter’s Here – Dar Williams

  1. Penny says:

    Oh how I love Dar Williams and this song! Each time I hear it it brings me back to my own childhood and my beloved babysitter, Nancy, who let me comb her long, long, long 1970’s hippie hair. It was heaven.

    I was just thinking, why don’t you write your babysitter a note to this effect, with what you said about trusting her and treasuring her in your life. I am sure she would love to hear it and her mom would to.

    What a gift she is to your life. I went 7 years without one. It’s like that whole ‘waiting to exhale’ thing.

  2. Kim says:

    Oh how wonderful. We are in the same predicament-no family, no help, no babysitters, and it’s HARD. I don’t know when or if we will ever go away together.

    LOVE that little song! I’ve never heard of her and will have to check her out now!

  3. Carrie N says:

    Love Dar Williams.

    Love a wonderful babysitter even more. We all need time outs and knowing our kids are in good hands make it possible.

  4. sarah says:

    sometimes i get itchy feet and think, “i just want to MOVE! anywhere!” but then i think, “what would i do without family nearby?”

    i’m so sorry you’ve been so closed in for so many years. and i’m thrilled you’ve got a bit of freedom now.

  5. Jess Wilson says:

    All hail a good babysitter. They are worth their weight in gold.

  6. Bonnie says:

    I remember how hard it was to get sitters. I ended up calling the guidance counselor at the high school and he played matchmaker between us and the good students who liked kids. It worked out very well.

  7. I can’t imagine your life and responsibilities without a weekend away or an evening out. I’m so glad you have someone you can trust.

    On another note, seeing Dar Williams playing in a place as familiar as my own backyard at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia makes me homesick.

  8. Carrie Link says:

    I ADORE Dar, and unbelievably enough, had never heard (or seen) that until just now! THANK YOU!

    And praise be to babysitters and classroom aides, two of my favorite inventions!

  9. Bonnie says:

    Responding to your comment – yes, I’m in Cleveland – Beachwood.

  10. oH a babysitter… my girls are babysitters, one of the little boys they keep lives in the neighborhood. You can tell he just loves them. They love him too. it is sweet. She is lucky she gets to babysit for you.

  11. Thanks for sharing this! I’d never heard of Dar Williams before today, but you can bet I’ll be checking out what else is available on youtube. This song is just priceless.

    We live very close to my parents as well as my brother, so we’ve never been in this situation before. I can imagine it’s one of the hardest decisions you have to make, and I’m glad to hear you’ve found someone who is so wonderful to your kids.

  12. So glad you found a good one!

  13. Betty says:

    I agree with Penny, write her a note and express your feelings.

    I know what it’s like to have no help. Just because relatives live nearby, doesn’t mean you will have any help. I’m really glad you have a good babysitter now. Riley and Seth can hang out with a teen ( like an older sibling), and you and HT can hang out together! Doesn’t get any better than this!

  14. amber says:

    That is DARLING. I want to repost that.

    Ohhhh how we need a babysitter. We have also never had family near, and just never found anyone. I wasn’t big on leaving the kids, because, you know. I’m a freaky stress case, and what if they do something like kill them while we are gone??

    But. We are ready, ready to find one now. I am so happy YOU have one like that. What a treasure for sure.

    🙂

  15. Amanda says:

    what would I do without our helpers? I don’t really want to go there – just a peak over the precipice is enough to have me quaking! Even when we lived near family they weren’t in a position to help out so we’ve always had to stand on our own two feet, or eight feet depending how you look at it!

  16. Michelle O'Neil says:

    Bonnie,

    We’re practically neighbors!

    : )

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