Babysitter acidentally slept on the job?

Question

So I was babysitting these 2 kids and they fell asleep around 10 PM and the parents said they won't be back until midnight. So I read a book and then they call and say they won't be back till 1 AM. I started watching TV but I couldn't figure out how to change the channel so I fell asleep without even knowing. The parents come home and the mother wakes me up. I've babysat for this family 3x before. The kids are in 3rd and 5th grade, they're not babies.

So in general, would you rehire a babysitter who fell asleep on the job????

Answer 1

yes... they stayed out extra late which you where not prepared for and so your body may have not have enough energy after staying up all day and taking care of kids which is hard work... and if your where decent the other times... it seems like a slim chance... so yes

Answer 2

I'm guessing they would, I mean i used to baby sit alot, and for like 5 different families, and whenever they came home late and i was still up they were like shocked and always asked why i wasn't sleeping, I wouldn't sweat it

Answer 3

I do not think they'll fire you. Unless they're really evil! It's an odd hour of the day and the kids are already in bed! My sis falls asleep on her job and she still has the job!

To be honest it depends on how the parents are! But for your case I doubt that!

Answer 4

Hey, don't feel bad! I did the same thing. I didn't even knew I fell asleep. Well, I have'nt baby sat for them since, but I guess it just depends on the parents. I mean, the kids i watched were the same ages as yours. I would rehire them, because I would feel bad that you were out so long!

Answer 5

I don't see why not. Staying up until 1AM is a lot to ask.

Answer 6

do their parents stay up all night while there kids are sleeping so that if something is to happen their awake? i think not. the children are old enough and you feel alsleep by the tv...so im guessing on a sofa. so if one of the children were to get up sick, or upset you would have been awaken and you would have been responsable and done something not be like IM SLEEPING LEAVE ME ALONE!

so you fell alsleep long after the kids were nocked out. its ok. its not like you left them alone! i would rehire you, you did nothing wrong.

Answer 7

Nope.. Its the parents fault. cuz they came home late..

Answer 8

Under those circumstances, yes, I would. It was later than usual. You were there in case the kids needed anything or anything happened. It's not like you were gone, or had friends over or something. She didn't act mad, did she? I know I wouldn't have been.

Answer 9

Well I would rehire the babysiter because they were back late and if the kids were already down then i don't think that should  be a problem

Answer 10

it was late, don't worry, they would not expect you to stay awake. Next time ask them to show you how the tv works. There WILL be a next time, don't worry

Answer 11

Absolutely. You did not fall asleep while the kids were awake, you did not fall asleep at an early hour. You did your job of carring for the children. Babysitters are not expected to stay awake and keep watch until all hours of the night. Sometimes when I babysat one set of parents who lived a block away and whom I sat for all the time would just ask me to spend the night if they were to be gone past midnight. I would go to sleep about an hour after putting the kids to bed. Parents don't stay up all night keeping an eye on their sleeping children why should you?  If they did have an issue with you falling asleep while waiting for them to get home at 1 am then good luck to them finding a sitter who can stay up that late without having someone there who shouldn't be to help keep her awake. If it were me I would not have a problem with a sitter falling asleep as long as my kids were in bed and sleeping too.

Answer 12

If they were in bed, and you were in the house, you were doing your job--being there.Though you would think you would have woken up when they came in.  

No reason you could not go to sleep, especially since they violated their verbal contract with you and stayed out an hour later. Should expect you to go to sleep on the couch.

Answer 13

Yes, espically since they were suppose to be back earlier and nothing bad happened, BUT I would make it clear that I wouldn't want it to happen anything just in case anything would happen.

Answer 14

I have told my babysitters if we are going to be late to curl up on the couch.  Being that these kids are like 8 and 10, I would assume that the parents would be okay.  However, not knowing what kind of city/enviornment you are speaking of, perhaps they would think differently.  If you are a young sitter who has experience and good references I wouldnt see it as being a problem.

Answer 15

Probably...maybe not. tell them that they were getting too late home.

Answer 16

as long as the kids were taken care of, which obviously the are old enough to not walk out or something.  i would nt mind at all.  you need  your sleep to..  i would hire you back, you seem like a very concerned person and that is a good quality.

Answer 17

I'm sure they would understand if all went well that last few times.  If one of the kids needed you, they'd be old enough to wake you up themselves.  I wouldn't worry too much.

Answer 18

I"m sure it's not a huge problem considering the late hour of their return.  It's to be expected and I would definitely rehire you!

Answer 19

As a teen, I always  asked the parents if it was OK if I slept or if they wanted me to stay up. If they planned on being home after midnight and wanted me to stay up, I turned down the job.

As a parent, I always make sure that the babysitter knows what time I will be home and I always tell the first timers that they are allowed to sleep if we are coming home after midnight - so long as the kids are in bed and asleep for at least an hour before the sitter goes to sleep. Assuming of course that my kids are in bed at their usual weekend bed time (8:30pm), that shouldn't be a problem.

I would say that unless the parents are the odd sort who take turns sleeping and never sleep when their children are sleeping, I don't see why they wouldn't rehire you just because you fell asleep when their kids were sleeping --- at 1AM. As long as you kept the house as clean as it was when they left and fed/bathed the kids if it was required, then falling asleep while waiting for them to come home isn't that big of a deal.

Answer 20

It wasn't your fault, since you've babysat those kids about 3x I'm sure the family would rehire you, they called saying they would come at 1am, you didn't think they would ever be home that late. I would rehire you, it's the parents fault for not advising you earlier that they would come back at 1am

vote best answer

Answer 21

sure Babysitters get sleepy  to

Answer 22

no because its not ur fault that u felt asleep  its their fault for comming late

Answer 23

I used to stretch out on the couch while babysitting all of the time.  In fact the people I sat for used to encourage me to nap, especially if they were going to be very late.  Unless the parents said something to you about sleeping while sitting for their kids, you are worrying for nothing.

-Edit-  I am shocked at the answers you are getting!  What, the parents never sleep?  They are awake 24 hours a day, even if their kids are sleeping?   Give me a break.  If the children were asleep snug in their beds, there is no reason you can't also go to sleep.

Answer 24

being a mom of 4 having two of my kids in both 5th and 2nd grade i would rehire you. shows me that you have a regular bed time, and it would of have been my fault you were up so late.

Answer 25

if this was the first time it happened,yep. Since youve babysat this family before they should trust you,

Answer 26

Yes. I would assume someone would fall asleep at that late hour.

Answer 27

never. sorry, but I would fire them. I need to know the babysitter is awake to SEE a emergency accuring to get the kids to safty.....like a FIRE. well, if I had kids that is.

and what if they sleep walk? they could walk right out the door. Just to dangerous

Answer 28

yes. i mean it was late, do they stay up all nite to watch their kids? i dont think so. u didnt do anything wrong.

Answer 29

No way that was very irresponsible. those kids are your priority not taking a snooze. HUGE LIABILITY!!

Answer 30

if it was that late at night, and the kids were already in bed, i wouldn't be too worried about it. especially if you had babysat for me before and i knew you were a trustworthy person.

Answer 31

Well, yes.  The parents cannot expect you to stay up if they are going to be out late late.  And plus, the kids are older, so they are less likely to wake up.  Now if you were sitting for younger kids, the parents should provide you with a baby com so you can have it beside you.  If they wake up, you would be able to hear it.  I am a parent of a 4th grader and I certainly would not have been upset if I seen you asleep when I got home.