hi every one i just recently got temporary custody for my 16month daughter and am going for full custody, my question is I dont have any family in this state and a couple of friends, where can i find a babysitter? will i ever be able to go out anymore or is it just over for me

Does your daughter go to a day care, you could try asking there if they know of a reliable baby sitter, or perhaps the parents that take their children there will have some one they can recommend. You could also look at a nanny agency and see if they have baby sitting services. I don�t think it is �over� for you but it will take a bit more organisation than it used to!

rambo, welcome to the forum. It's not over for you....maybe just postponed for a while Raising kids, having custody means sacrifices but will have it's rewards as well.

Rambo, Welcome! The babysitting delema is one I think we all face from time to time. Sure, some have family, but who wants to be a burden? I felt very guilty asking my mom to watch my children when they were young.

16 months is pretty young, but as she gets older you can always try the highschools. Ours keep a list of kids who have had child development/CPR classes and are interested in babysitting. Since they go to your local highschool, you know they are in the area.

Rambo ~ Welcome to SFV ...

I agree with Don - it's not over, but you do have to make some sacrifices. I have no family, and the only friend I would consider for baby sitting lives too far away to make it work out - so I just stay home. I think it's a big risk to leave your child with a strange high school student before they are able to talk. How will they tell you if something bad happens? This might sound paranoid to many, but it's reality.

Zealand made a good point about daycare. That is a good place to meet other parents (who might be willing to exchange babysitting services), or daycare professionals who might know of a safe and reliable sitter you could use on occasion, when you need some adult time out of the house.

Hang in there! Sometimes, you can just go online - post here, maybe play some games and chat with other adults. It's not going out, but it helps, costs less, and you can be there for your daughter too.

hello and welcome, rambo! i am fairly new here too. i don't really have any better advice than what everyone else has already said but i just wanted to welcome you and to say since i joined i have felt a little less stressed. my son is 19 months old and i wouldn't trust him with a high school student,well i really have a hard time trusting just anyone to watch my kid. i didn't leave him with my mother alone for the first time till he was like 8 mos. old but i am pretty paranoid. anyway welcome and good luck!

Rambo, I am also new here. While it has been awhile since mine have been that young, the rewards FAR outweigh the costs. While not always following my mothers advice she has always recommended joining a local church.I have found on this suggestion she has been correct.Let me know how it goes.After diapers there are other things so be prepared(LOL) My son is only 16 months,11 days etc from driving!

Go online....when my son was 4 ( a little older then your child) I found my sitter online; she was registered with the State of Maryland.

good luck~

thank you all so much for the support, i think your right i need to be home for my daughter. I dont think i could trus a sitter at this time. This is all new to me i just got temporary custody of her and i am a little overwhelmed. but thanks again