Viral babysitter debate sparks concern—here’s how to find safer, last-minute childcare
A viral TikTok video posted by Jillian (@jilli_7) about hiring same-day babysitters through the internet has raised several eyebrows among parent commenters. In the clip, Jillian reacts with disbelief at parents who post in Facebook groups asking for same-day childcare from total strangers—an issue that struck a nerve with many parents struggling to find reliable, affordable childcare in a pinch.
Her concerns resonated, with 1.6 million views and over 6,500 comments filled with parents weighing in. Some wholeheartedly agreed, while others admitted they’d been in the same boat—desperate for a sitter and willing to take a chance.
And honestly? It’s not surprising that parents may find themselves seeking out less than ideal sources for even small amounts of childcare coverage.
Why parents turn to the internet for last-minute childcare
Many parents today face real challenges when it comes to securing reliable childcare—often with limited family support, inflexible jobs, or a lack of affordable options. In moments of urgency, some turn to online groups, hoping to find a sitter who can step in.
But in those moments, it can be easy to overlook potential red flags—or to feel like there simply aren’t better options available.
I know this firsthand.
Not long ago, I found myself racing out the door to give a critical presentation at a prestigious university—one I had worked tirelessly to reach. I was practically begging the sitter to come to work. I had hired her through an online marketplace, someone I had only worked with a few times and admittedly hadn’t screened as thoroughly as I should have.
When she arrived, I was about to dart off, leaving my 2-year-old in her watch. But a little voice in my head whispered: Stop. Pay attention. .
Something felt off.
It quickly became clear that she was possibly under the influence of some kind of substance. My heart pounded. At that moment, my priority shifted to ensuring both my son’s safety and hers. I quickly arranged for her to get a safe ride home. Afterwards, I ended the work relationship.
To this day, the experience remains one of the most scary and guilt-inducing moments of my parenting journey. And I consider myself an educated, relatively well-resourced mom.
The reality is, many parents have been in similar situations—feeling stuck between imperfect choices when care options are scarce. Maybe it’s leaving our kids with a sitter we didn’t screen well, a less-than-ideal family member, or a childcare center we just aren’t in love with. When options are limited, we do what we can.
But instead of shaming parents for seeking last-minute care online, we should be asking: How can we make better, safer solutions more accessible?
Building a safer backup plan
Since my experience, I’ve built a better last-minute safety net. Here’s what I learned to do:
Interview candidates more thoroughly before hiring.
Call and verify references—and ask the right questions during those calls.
Keep a roster of 4-5 trusted babysitters in rotation, so I’d always have backup options.
Run background checks in advance using tools like Checkr.
For parents who want extra peace of mind, professional nanny agencies offer a gold-standard level of screening. While full-time nanny placement can be expensive, many agencies also provide access to on-call babysitters who have undergone thorough reference and background checks—even social media reviews—before being matched with families.
While agency-vetted babysitters do come at a cost, some services offer vetted, on-call care starting at $25-$50 per booking (plus fair market hourly rates for the sitter). While this isn’t accessible for every family, it can be a reliable option for those who have the budget and need an extra layer of security.
My family has used these services, especially while traveling, and the peace of mind is priceless. There is no more racing out the door. We connect with the sitter before the shift and make sure everyone is on the same page, feeling safe and comfortable.
Making safer childcare more accessible
Experiences like mine are what inspired me to look for better solutions—not just for my own family, but for others facing the same struggles. That’s why I created BookLilli, a platform that helps parents connect with agency-vetted, trusted sitters who align with their needs and preferences.
By partnering with professional nanny agencies, we’re making occasional, high-quality childcare more accessible—because no parent should have to choose between their responsibilities and their child’s safety.
So the next time you see a fellow parent posting a desperate plea for a last-minute babysitter, let’s resist the urge to judge. Instead, let’s focus on building solutions that help all families access the safe, reliable childcare they need—without rolling the dice.
Related: 1.2 million parents forced to miss work every month because affordable childcare isn’t available
