Babysitting while following tour, or bring the cage??

OffMeGoes

Howdie all......so, l am trying to pull off an amazing road trip and drive from Cali to hit the shows,....but,.... will be traveling alone with my young son, so really curious if anyone has used hotel babysitting services??.....My dream is to find out that there is a kid-check or designated areas at each arena that has small but padded cages for rent.....JUST JOKING.........I don't mean to sound cruel,...of course I would spring for a medium sized cage...........but not for the hamster water bottles...he'd be fine with tap water.......


Ok,....I'm cereal and won't be Trix-ing any more....I need help!!.....as far as I know, there is no alternative to using a babysitting service (other than not going - which I don't need anyone to recommend as I won't listen to you) and obviously I have tried to research all I can and would only use services with which I were fully comfortable (will stay at much nicer hotels on show dates etc....). Any stories, tips, experiences are needed and super appreciated........(and no, my son wont mind at all, in fact he will be glad to get rid of me for three hours every 2-3 days....)

Mcam55

I heard Boom is a great babysitter....actually the cage might be a better option.

pandora

You didn't mention how young your son is which for me would be the deciding factor. If he is under 6 I'm not sure while traveling I would do something like that, only because from his viewpoint it could be a little scary depending on his individual personality traits. I think he would be safe but I also think his Dad might worry and not enjoy himself at his concert, especially if your little guy didn't want to be separated from you. I would probably pop for a friend, mothers helper, relative, to come on the trip with us.

OffMeGoes

Well, he's under 6...in fact he is only 6 weeks old......

I just had him..

Just joking...he is 4....I really am asking more about what the actual setup is,... like does anyone know if the hotels that offer in-house babysitting have a designated facility (like at my gym..it has the greatest kids play room that he absolutely loves....okay, that he loved that one time I worked out) If it is the case that they send some stranger to come sit in the room, daddy has to start selling his tickets......I really don't have any options to bring someone for a 4 week run around, but if anyone needs a ride from Cali to every show but DC, I'll do the driving and the buying if you either A) bring your babysitter are willing to flip for who goes to the show each time C) Have a significant other that hates Pearl Jam but loves kids D) Want to get married in Vegas on the way out (females required since we all know who would automatically stay at the hotel if both of us had tickets.....and because they don't have hey nanner nanners......) E) Know someone that will just let my kid and me stay backstage the whole show, every show F) Are not offended by D) and qualify for any other letter listed here G) have the power to reschedule the whole tour and have an 11 night run in California.

There is always plan C.......(Nyquil, the roof rack, bungy chords and a radio monitor.... )

Jo

You make this all sound so easy. I've got 4 of the little buggars, can we come?

pandora

OffMeGoes wrote:

Well, he's under 6...in fact he is only 6 weeks old......

I just had him..

Just joking...he is 4....I really am asking more about what the actual setup is,... like does anyone know if the hotels that offer in-house babysitting have a designated facility (like at my gym..it has the greatest kids play room that he absolutely loves....okay, that he loved that one time I worked out) If it is the case that they send some stranger to come sit in the room, daddy has to start selling his tickets......I really don't have any options to bring someone for a 4 week run around, but if anyone needs a ride from Cali to every show but DC, I'll do the driving and the buying if you either A) bring your babysitter are willing to flip for who goes to the show each time C) Have a significant other that hates Pearl Jam but loves kids D) Want to get married in Vegas on the way out (females required since we all know who would automatically stay at the hotel if both of us had tickets.....and because they don't have hey nanner nanners......) E) Know someone that will just let my kid and me stay backstage the whole show, every show F) Are not offended by D) and qualify for any other letter listed here G) have the power to reschedule the whole tour and have an 11 night run in California.

There is always plan C.......(Nyquil, the roof rack, bungy chords and a radio monitor.... )

well if nothing else your child will have a great sense of humor when he grows up and probably be a little prankster. I pity the sitter You had me there on the 6 weeks- I actually gasped!
These days I couldn't tell you about hotel sitting facilities for sure but I think its been bonded type people or hotel employee who come in and to sit in the past. Now a days though some chain type daycares offer very late night and even over night sitting so I guess you could check with them direct or the hotel may use them. I still think, joking aside, daddy is gonna worry about a four year old in a strange city and most likely not have a good time. We could open a can of worms and discuss taking him to the concerts! He'd have more under his belt by 5 years of age than some of us dream about. "I'm 5 and have been to 10 Pearl Jam concerts"

jamburger

http://www.americanchildcare.com/new_york.html

Before I actually read the paragraph under policies, my eye caught the bullet points and thought it a little creepy that they decided to list out bath time (but you'll see they are not permitted when you read).

Lowlight

Instead of asking us, try calling the hotels where you are staying.

OffMeGoes

Lowlight wrote:

Instead of asking us, try calling the hotels where you are staying.

no.

OffMeGoes

jamburger wrote:

http://www.americanchildcare.com/new_york.html

Before I actually read the paragraph under policies, my eye caught the bullet points and thought it a little creepy that they decided to list out bath time (but you'll see they are not permitted when you read).

Yeah, even though I read your post, I didn't register what you were saying, and my heart dropped three floors when I read that....."escort your child to the pool".....omg.....give a bath....

"but why not, the other babysitter gives me a bath when daddy goes away.."

OffMeGoes

Lowlight wrote:

Instead of asking us, try calling the hotels where you are staying.

And, bty.........in case you think I missed it, you have 3 posts since 2003. I must have really got you fired up to have you dust off the keyboard and fire out such remarkable advice after lurking low-pro for the past 5.33 years.... I want to go back and find your other two posts, but I want to get settled in and cozy before I delve into them. If they are anything like number 3, I am in for a night of great reading and life healing.... retract! You have 1788 calendar days until you need to type again.......see you in 2016!!

OffMeGoes

Jo wrote:

You make this all sound so easy. I've got 4 of the little buggars, can we come?

Yeah, but I only have room in the motorhome for 6 more after you guys get on......the link is a picture of the one I need to take out, but don't judge me...it is just the backup,...It's small, I know...embarrassing but I swear...it's the reserve that I actually bought for parts....

http://www.luxurylaunches.com/2008/12/04/3.jpg

Jo

My first born was nearly 1 and he was still having a night feed from Mum, when I just HAD to go to see Pearl Jam. Not lots of road trip and concerts like you, but just once.
I hired a ' Expensive' room at the actual venue and his 'not-so-hands-on' Father Babysat him. It cost me well over $600 to do that, but the cost was nothing, knowing I was a 2 minute sprint ( that includes stairs and security checks) away from my baby.
I was sooooooo organised and at peace with who and where my baby was, that I COULD go off and
ROCK THE FUCK OUT TO PEARL JAM!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!
without worring about the babe.

If you can't find a Nanny to be there for all your trip, then schedule in lots of Nannies at the exact times you need them.
The cost is huge, but you will only relax and enjoy your PJ shows knowing Babe is safe and sound, until you get back to them.

Good luck with it all, have fun,....I'm jelouse.

OffMeGoes

pandora wrote:

OffMeGoes wrote:

Well, he's under 6...in fact he is only 6 weeks old......

I just had him..

Just joking...he is 4....I really am asking more about what the actual setup is,... like does anyone know if the hotels that offer in-house babysitting have a designated facility (like at my gym..it has the greatest kids play room that he absolutely loves....okay, that he loved that one time I worked out) If it is the case that they send some stranger to come sit in the room, daddy has to start selling his tickets......I really don't have any options to bring someone for a 4 week run around, but if anyone needs a ride from Cali to every show but DC, I'll do the driving and the buying if you either A) bring your babysitter are willing to flip for who goes to the show each time C) Have a significant other that hates Pearl Jam but loves kids D) Want to get married in Vegas on the way out (females required since we all know who would automatically stay at the hotel if both of us had tickets.....and because they don't have hey nanner nanners......) E) Know someone that will just let my kid and me stay backstage the whole show, every show F) Are not offended by D) and qualify for any other letter listed here G) have the power to reschedule the whole tour and have an 11 night run in California.

There is always plan C.......(Nyquil, the roof rack, bungy chords and a radio monitor.... )

well if nothing else your child will have a great sense of humor when he grows up and probably be a little prankster. I pity the sitter You had me there on the 6 weeks- I actually gasped!
These days I couldn't tell you about hotel sitting facilities for sure but I think its been bonded type people or hotel employee who come in and to sit in the past. Now a days though some chain type daycares offer very late night and even over night sitting so I guess you could check with them direct or the hotel may use them. I still think, joking aside, daddy is gonna worry about a four year old in a strange city and most likely not have a good time. We could open a can of worms and discuss taking him to the concerts! He'd have more under his belt by 5 years of age than some of us dream about. "I'm 5 and have been to 10 Pearl Jam concerts"

I agree.....I may have to start letting go of the dream....but, if he wrecks my Pearl Jam trip, just wait til you see what his "Disneyland" trip will be this year. No Magic Kingdom....heading straight for the pizza parlor that was advertising that they needed a dishwasher.......

Thanks for the info.....that is why I was asking the board!

(BTY.......he went to MSG in 08 as a 2 year old....he had on the same earphones that protect all the musicians kids' ears.....and he loved it.....was only there for a few songs, but I did what I had to do.....Got in, saw some songs.....Oh, earlier that day, when walking from my hotel, I saw PJ at the Mandarin Hotel waiting in the front lobby...EV, Boom, Matt and Mike were all just sitting in view kinda far back.....my son and I walked in, pretended to want a room and kinda crashed a band meeting/waiting for the limo type of thing....got to meet Ed with my son, got a photo and that's the end of my story....)

OffMeGoes

Jo wrote:

My first born was nearly 1 and he was still having a night feed from Mum, when I just HAD to go to see Pearl Jam. Not lots of road trip and concerts like you, but just once.
I hired a ' Expensive' room at the actual venue and his 'not-so-hands-on' Father Babysat him. It cost me well over $600 to do that, but the cost was nothing, knowing I was a 2 minute sprint ( that includes stairs and security checks) away from my baby.
I was sooooooo organised and at peace with who and where my baby was, that I COULD go off and
ROCK THE FUCK OUT TO PEARL JAM!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!
without worring about the babe.

If you can't find a Nanny to be there for all your trip, then schedule in lots of Nannies at the exact times you need them.
The cost is huge, but you will only relax and enjoy your PJ shows knowing Babe is safe and sound, until you get back to them.

Good luck with it all, have fun,....I'm jelouse.

Well, what are you waiting for??? Ditch the zero and get with the hero.....tell that Thunder from Down Under that you have a meeting with Mr. Chippen-USA-Dale and some business all around the US to take care of.....he can go roll around in Vegemite and have the Kangaroos and sharks chase him through the brush......(just bring me his boomerang collection...those are cool)

.hahahahahaha......just joking, but I actually did laugh out loud at that.........

Markiemark70

Well you're not going to like to hear this, but I think it is kind of immature and irresponsible to do what you are doing. You're actually planning a trip around the schedule of a rock band and looking for someone to leave your 4 year old with?

I love this band too but I would never do what you are proposing. My children are way more important, like not even on the same scale more important than Pearl Jam (even though they are the greatest band in the world). Why not just hit a few shows that you can get to in a couple of hours and either leave your son with someone he and you know?

My wife and I travelled from Toronto to both MSG shows in 2008, but ONLY because her parents agreed to come and watch our 1 year old daughter. If they hadn't come I never would have considered it.

Sorry but for me it sounds a bit selfish. Do you really HAVE to see the band ten times or whatever? Go to one or 2 shows then take your kid to Disneyland with the money you will save. Sorry if that is harsh but you asked.

drsluggo

OffMeGoes wrote:

Lowlight wrote:

Instead of asking us, try calling the hotels where you are staying.

And, bty.........in case you think I missed it, you have 3 posts since 2003. I must have really got you fired up to have you dust off the keyboard and fire out such remarkable advice after lurking low-pro for the past 5.33 years.... I want to go back and find your other two posts, but I want to get settled in and cozy before I delve into them. If they are anything like number 3, I am in for a night of great reading and life healing.... retract! You have 1788 calendar days until you need to type again.......see you in 2016!!

To be fair - this is probably the best advice I've seen on this board so far.

Every hotel is going to be different so its probably best to start calling around and finding hotels that either offer the service or maybe partner with someone who does.

It's like when I traveled with my dog last summer - we had to find pet friendly hotels and then from there figure out which ones were more affordable for allowing dogs, what the policies were, etc. You're going to have a harder time than that trying to find places that can help with babysitting while you're at the shows I would imagine.

justam

Aren't you the least bit concerned that you'd be leaving your four year old with different strangers? You won't even know the random baby-sitters you might end up with.

If it were my four year old, I'd be concerned!!

Lowlight

OffMeGoes wrote:

Lowlight wrote:

Instead of asking us, try calling the hotels where you are staying.

And, bty.........in case you think I missed it, you have 3 posts since 2003. I must have really got you fired up to have you dust off the keyboard and fire out such remarkable advice after lurking low-pro for the past 5.33 years.... I want to go back and find your other two posts, but I want to get settled in and cozy before I delve into them. If they are anything like number 3, I am in for a night of great reading and life healing.... retract! You have 1788 calendar days until you need to type again.......see you in 2016!!

Instead of poor attempts at humor / searching for my old posts, try calling some hotels and asking about their babysitting services. Better yet, spend that time with your 4 year old.

whispering hands

ok so forgive me if this is redundant I don't have alot of time to read all through but have you considered paying a close friend or relative to Temp-nanny for you? I did this for my aunt one summer and it was a blast she went to all evening event and I stayed with my four cousins.. then we travelled by day.. that way it's someone you tust whom is dealing with your child, you get to kick in yer Pearl jam fix and all on a ROAD TRIP to me that saounds the best way to go.. oh but if yer paying the person, they should help out on gas and food, if yer RV is as big as my family's you'll need help with the gas.. PS> can't wait til my van is legal again I'll hopefully pulling off some PJ road trips myself soon!! good luck and what ever you end up doing have fun and be safe!!

OffMeGoes

Markiemark70 wrote:

Well you're not going to like to hear this, but I think it is kind of immature and irresponsible to do what you are doing. You're actually planning a trip around the schedule of a rock band and looking for someone to leave your 4 year old with?

I love this band too but I would never do what you are proposing. My children are way more important, like not even on the same scale more important than Pearl Jam (even though they are the greatest band in the world). Why not just hit a few shows that you can get to in a couple of hours and either leave your son with someone he and you know?

My wife and I travelled from Toronto to both MSG shows in 2008, but ONLY because her parents agreed to come and watch our 1 year old daughter. If they hadn't come I never would have considered it.

Sorry but for me it sounds a bit selfish. Do you really HAVE to see the band ten times or whatever? Go to one or 2 shows then take your kid to Disneyland with the money you will save. Sorry if that is harsh but you asked.

I don't mind your opinion at all. I really don't want this to sound harsh either, but I know I can write where it sounds way worse than it is meant to be, so forgive me in advance......Everyone has a right to their own opinion, just not their own facts......

I do really have to see this band ten times. In fact, I have seen them 71 times, almost all in new cities....it is what I do and what I love doing...I get to travel to new places and combine it with a sure fire event that never fails and is never the same.....I am pretty sure I was seeking advice to see if what I hope to do would be at all possible....not sure where that is immature or irresponsible. I don't know your situation, so as much as I feel that you going two nights in a row to MSG was possibly unnecessary since you are Canadian, I wouldn't ever say anything to point that out, especially since I have no idea who you are, what you are capable of, what your passions are, what your character is. I'm a single dad that just sold his business, that loves nothing more on earth than just being with my son, that would take a huge road trip right now and that had planned on it anyway, it just got pushed forward by the tour, and that appreciates your concern but that didn't even register why you wrote to me....I was asking people if they knew about the service....I am looking for that info, not your presumptions or what you would do. And i am not one of those parents that thinks I know what is best and that nobody needs to interfere...fuck, half the time I have no clue....but I would never put my kid in a dangerous situation,...but if you think the Hyatt regency's baby sitting service is totally unsafe for three hours of watching my son when he would probably sleep anyway, maybe you are correct, and that is why I am asking.....?? I don't know.....I still need to know what it is like at the centers, and the only real reason I placed this on the boards is because I know that I am not the only one that has wondered these things....yes, some things I write may barely spark an interest with anyone, but some are pretty good....and I do this for fun....sometimes I dont even know if I am asking serious questions or playing around.....this one, I am not fooling around....well, with the actual purpose....I need information from people that may have experienced this...it may seem like a bad idea to anyone that doesn't know about it, (like me, I dont know...) but be a single father and come back to me and tell me that it is ridiculous and immature for you to look at options. I'm the goose, and trust me, I have worked hard and have earned what I want.....part of the reason, if not the main reason, that I sold my business was to spend more time with my son....which is nearly 24 hours a day.......havent killed him yet, pretty sure it isnt one of my goals......


I will say, if I cannot go, you looking for some tickets??? Hahahahahahahahahah...............just joking.....I am going...I will find a way, a friend, that stupid sister of mine, an undocumented korean kid,....your wife's parents aren't free are they???

And, at the end of it all,...you are right in a lot of ways.......I know that......I tell you what,...it's nobody's fault.....if you just agree with me and give me two put ups, I will send you either photos of me with my shirt off or every EV solo show on CD...........