childsitter

plural childsitters

1. Synonym of babysitter.

   With a live-in housekeeper-cook-childsitter we were able to lead a busy social life.

   1992, William G[eorge] Cahan, “The Flora Sign”, in No Stranger to Tears: A Surgeon’s Story, New York, N.Y.: Random House, →ISBN, section “Operation (Phase II)”, page 140

   2 more examples

   [I]n return for shouldering a few extra duties (watchdog, childsitter, sled dog, juvenile circus performer, losthamster retriever, plus the full-time summer job of bear-scare on mushrooming expeditions), he may hunt for his own amusement, without let or hindrance, throughout the year until September 15, or such time as the upland game and wildfowl season opens, when he must immediately put aside all temptation and revert forthwith to his professional capacity of model gundog.

   1964, Sheila Burnford, “Canadian Spring”, in The Fields of Noon, Boston, Mass.: Atlantic Monthly Press, Little, Brown and Company, →OCLC, page 11

   ‘She’ll be home for Christmas—all being well,’ Leyne tacked on hastily. / ‘Even better.’ / ‘I’m glad you approve.’ / His mouth quirked upwards slightly at one corner. ‘Why shouldn’t I? It will relieve you of having to find a childsitter who won’t let you down.’

   2006, Jessica Steele, chapter 9, in Promise of a Family, Toronto, Ont.: Harlequin, →ISBN, page 169

   Synonyms: babysitter