Sitting it out

Rather cheaper, our own babysitter (paid a miserly £3.50 an hour, but rounded up, depending on how drunk we are) sat for us at the weekend. A friend of ours popped round to see us, not knowing we were out - and spotted her boyfriend scuttling into the dining room!

If you know reliable teenagers
The NSPCC advises using babysitters who are over 16. Meet them before your night out. ‘Follow your instincts,’ suggests the NSPCC. ‘If you have any doubts, don’t take them on.’ It’s best if your child knows the sitter; even if he ‘never’ wakes up during the night, it’s sod’s law that he’ll have a nightmare - and you don’t want him to be greeted by a stranger’s face.

Going out

• Before you set off, leave details of your child’s routine (including what to do if he wakes up).
• Also leave your contact number, plus a neighbour’s number and your doctor’s number for emergencies.
• Set ground rules, such as no visitors.
• The first time you use a sitter, play safe and go out locally for just a couple of hours. Chances are you won’t have to head home in a hurry, but you’ll be more relaxed if you know you can.
• Be babysitter friendly: leave drinks, snacks and a perhaps a video.
• Come home when you say you will. As a friend points out, ‘There’s nothing more humiliating than rolling in an hour late, pretending you’re sober, and getting disapproving glares from a 17-year-old.’