Baby Sitting Dilemma

[Sarah Magdalene]

Maybe some one can help me here!

I'm stuck in between a rock and hard place it seems. A couple months ago I had told my older sister that I'd take a few days off to babysit my niece for a few days while she was away on business. I was granted the few days off work and I am looking forward to spending a little bit of time with her.

As many of you know, I am due to be in the opera Carmen with a local company and opening weekend is drawing near - the 14th to be exact - and we will be having rehearsal on 2 of the 4 nights I will be watching my niece. I'm not so certain if I should bring her with me (not too professional) or find a sitter of sorts. I was thinking of bringing her to one of the resort child care services (Simba's Clubhouse, Neverland Club, etc) for the evening (do they give cast discounts?) as they are reasonable at 10 bucks an hour. But to they accept non resort goers? I know they will make pretty penny off me as I will be leaving her at around 6:30 to be at rehearsal at 7:30 and not back till 10 pm or later.

What kind of documentation would they need if she were to stay there? Maybe just a signature and my phone number?
Since her mother with be out of town, will I qualify as someone who can sign her in and sign her out of the service?

Another idea is to have a kid loving CM Buddy baby sit her for me at the house and just pay my buddy straight up.

I'm lost - and I need to figure this out soon.

Oh, just forgot to add ... she's 5 years old.

[GaTechGal]

I looked up the kids clubs in my Passporter guide and it did say that SOME of the programs are just for resort guests but not all. Unfortunately it only indicated that the Sandcastle Club at the Beach Club was only for resort guests and that Camp Dolphin at the Swan & Dolphin was NOT only for resort guests. The rest didn't say. So I would just ask when you call to make the ressie. My kids have done 2 stints at the Neverland Club and really loved it. The themeing is great and it includes dinner.

[aixia]

I grew up in theatres, due to my parents taking me to community theatre rehearsals and skipping the baby-sitter. I now work in theatre professionally. You may want to try taking her, at least one night, assuming your director is ok with it (ask!). Bring along lots of coloring books, toys, things to keep her occupied while you're onstage, but seeing how it all comes together can actually be really fun, even for someone that young. Who knows? You may spark a love of music or theatre in her!

Oh, and don't let her color on the concrete floors of the theatre seating. I did that as a kid. I still remember scrubbing the floors for hours the next day!

[delsdad]

Maybe some one can help me here!

I'm stuck in between a rock and hard place it seems. A couple months ago I had told my older sister that I'd take a few days off to babysit my niece for a few days while she was away on business. I was granted the few days off work and I am looking forward to spending a little bit of time with her.

As many of you know, I am due to be in the opera Carmen with a local company and opening weekend is drawing near - the 14th to be exact - and we will be having rehearsal on 2 of the 4 nights I will be watching my niece. I'm not so certain if I should bring her with me (not too professional) or find a sitter of sorts. I was thinking of bringing her to one of the resort child care services (Simba's Clubhouse, Neverland Club, etc) for the evening (do they give cast discounts?) as they are reasonable at 10 bucks an hour. But to they accept non resort goers? I know they will make pretty penny off me as I will be leaving her at around 6:30 to be at rehearsal at 7:30 and not back till 10 pm or later.

What kind of documentation would they need if she were to stay there? Maybe just a signature and my phone number?
Since her mother with be out of town, will I qualify as someone who can sign her in and sign her out of the service?

Another idea is to have a kid loving CM Buddy baby sit her for me at the house and just pay my buddy straight up.

I'm lost - and I need to figure this out soon.

Oh, just forgot to add ... she's 5 years old.

Your neice will simply LOVE the Neverland Club, if that option turns out to be open to you. My daughter (5) spent an evening there in January, and wanted to go back every other evening of our trip ! Her reaction really eased any guilt that we had about taking her to a "sitter" while on vacation. She loved the experience. and we were very comfortable with leaving her with the CMs there.


However, if you have to take her to rehearsal, might there be another cast member in the show with an older daughter (perhaps 10 or 12) who could watch and amuse your niece during the rehearsal ? Keeping quiet for the duration of the rehearsal may be a trial for your niece, at 5. The rehearsal will be somewhat boring for her, as she wont be able to sing and dance along!
I have been on several professional shows where cast members had their kids in tow during rehearsal for various reasons. The only time it was a problem was when one "twit" tried to drop her 4 year old off at the front of house console position every night, expecting the sound man to amuse the poor child, at the same time as he mixed the show. And this was for paying audiences, on a Broadway tour. The child was fine the the first night, bored the second, then a big problem the third and final night. It was very unfair to expect her to sit quietly while the show pounded at full volume around her. That performer was read the riot act by company management soon after. Stage management had refused to do anything !
Call it a "stupid dancer trick" !

Perhaps other parents in the cast might also be willing to split the cost of a sitter to attend to a couple of kids in the greenroom for the duration of the rehearsals in question ? It never hurts to ask around. And they may well know of an appropriate person to choose as the sitter too.

Delsdad

[Amphigorey]

I don't know... since you are new with this company (congratulations!!!), I'd be reluctant to take the little girl to rehearsal. Certainly the first night, I think it would be better to find a babysitter; that way, you can look around and see what the general atmosphere is like. It may very well be not at all conducive to having a youngling around. On the other hand, if you see other kids there, you could mention that you're looking after your niece this weekend, and take her the second night.