Daycare / babysitting question?

Question

I haven't been able to leave my 1 yr old with a babysitter for even an hour (though my parents watch him all the time)... I just can't imagine leaving him with a stranger, but maybe I do need to do this -- at least the person who watches babies while moms take fitness classes at my club??

How do mothers handle having people out of the family / strangers to the kids with them for an extended period of time? Is it not as much of a risk as you hear (and I believe it to be...)?

Any suggestions for the first time we do decide to have a babysitter? (I'm thinking do this only when the baby is old enough to talk and tell us if something was wring)... thanks!

Answer 1

What a lot of moms I know have been doing is having the babysitter that they've checked out come and spend an hour a week with their children while the mom is home for a couple of months. This way the mom gets to know the sitter, and the babies get comfortable with her prior to being left alone. It seems to be working well for them, and probably what I will do when I'm ready to leave mine (who also at one year has only been left with family or good friends.) I totally understand how you are feeling!

Answer 2

Ok, I have been interviewing babysitters all day, so I know what you are going through...I have just decided to return to work...my son is 6 mos. old. The best thing to do is to search for one in your area and hold an interview...request to do the interview while the other children they watch are awake so that you can see how they handle them...and listen to your gut...if, for some unexplainable reason, you don't like the person you've just interviewed, mark them off of your list...don't settle. You don't need to wait until baby can talk before leaving them with a sitter other than family, but if you are comfortable waiting that long, then do so....when it comes to baby you MUST follow your instincts. "What to Expect the First Year" has a whole section devoted on what to look for in a babysitter...I highly reccommend the book.

Answer 3

I've never had a STRANGER watch my son. Everyone I leave him with I know. We have no family in town so we don't have a choice but to leave him with someone other than family. I leave my son with my neighbor who also has a 3 year old...and a good friend that runs a daycare out of her home. I would suggest that the babysitter be someone you know...or the teenage daughter of someone you know....or even that your parents know....I definitely wouldn't leave my child with someone I just met not even an hour ago.

A suggestion is to maybe pay the prospective babysitter to spend a day with your family so that they can get to know your child and that you can get to know them and decide whether they are right for your family or not.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

My son is 4 and I have never left him with a stranger, except his teachers on the first day of preschool and I sat in the hallway for the first few weeks.

I am lucky enough to live in the same area as friends and family and have a large church family.

I would find a sitter who someone you know and trust has used MANY times.....get references, make sure they know what to do in an emergency. I oppose any sitter under 16, for small babies, I say only adults (suppose the baby starts to cry and they get frustrated and don't know what to do and shake it???) who have experience with babies.

Interview people, if you get a vibe, go with it. Get a cell phone so you can be reached...take a deep breath and do it.

It isn't all that important that your child be left with a stranger, the point is that they can be left with someone other than you.

Answer 5

i was a stay at home mom so i never left my kids with anyone except my mom and when my granddaughter was born i would'nt let my daughter put her in daycare I am not saying that daycare is bad a lot of parents have to depend on it but i did'nt have to. Maybe you need to try only leaving your child with a babysitter for like 1 hour at a time untill you and your child feels comfortable that might help you ,but don't let the childcare worker know when you are coming if you are worried about how things are going.

Answer 6

I think it would be just fine to leave your child with a baby sitter. I have a 6 month old and we havent left him with too many people but it was never because we do not trust people but more because we cant afford a baby sitter. If you leave your child with someone I would leave as much information to get a hold of you or someone you trust like your mom. Leave emergency numbers and instruction on what to do if an emergency would happen while you are away. Also give them instructions on meals and bedtime routines, make sure they know what is off limits or if your child is not allowed to watch T.V or other rules you may have. Make sure it is also very clear as to what is off limits for the baby sitter to do like go on the internet or eat all your food. When choosing a baby sitter make sure you ask for references Good luck and I know that your baby will be fine with a baby sitter.

Answer 7

First of all, let me congratulate you for being a concerned parent to your child. It is hard at first to let your child go, but in actuality beginning the process at the gym while you are there is a good trial run. You are in the same facility and can check in from time to time and prayerfully it won't be such an emotional issue for you. Believe me, if a child is mistreated they will let you know even if they can't talk yet. My sister's child was in a daycare because she works and every morning she went through major trauma just to leave her child - she only let this go on for a week or so before talking with the daycare provider and making a change in daycare. The new daycare her child is at is a God send, and her child doesn't even speak that well, it all comes out in the actions she sees. You want your child to get accustomed somewhat before they start school, that way it won't be such a trauma for them to start their learning at school. Best wishes and prayers =)

Answer 8

It is always very difficult to leave your children with strangers or otherwise, even when they can talk. I might suggest getting a babysitter for short periods of time until you are more comfortable. I might also suggest a hidden baby camera. They are quite inexpensive these days and can be very useful in many ways, not just to monitor any abuse or neglect. Always be sure to check references. If you have the money, do a background check. There are lots of companies who do these sorts of things for a fee, of course.

Answer 9

What you experience is totally organic, i think an identical way and that i've got 2 babies! while my oldest went to daycare, I hated leaving him there for an identical fears you have. Everytime I picked up from the daycare he grow to be continually on my own and crying. i'm no longer attempting to scare you yet you do could be careful. you may desire to offer your self as lots time as obtainable to get comfortable with the assumption of leaving your infant. Do you have somebody you have confidence like a kin member or a specified pal which could watch the baby so which you would be able to get used to being without him? which could help you transition into putting him into daycare or hiring a sitter. verify out all your selections for daycare, get to appreciate the employees and how the daycare works, watch how they cope with the youngsters. That way you will understand your son is being properly taken care of. Their are stable daycares out their and that i'm hoping you detect one that suits you and your son. stable success!

Answer 10

If you choose to use a private daycare, make sure and check their background with the state. I have a six year old daughter, and I called the Attorney Generals Office in my area on how to get the info on the agencies background.

I was a nanny for 4 years before I had a child and had volunteered in day-cares of over 3 years. Make sure that if you find a private babysitter, ask questions. Interview them in person with your child, to see if the child bonds with the individual. The family that I used to nanny for interviewed 10 different people and I was the only one the child had bonded with.

Also, do a background check on anyone. You can go on-line to do criminal background checks on anyone. Call local agencies in your area that provide nanny/babysitting services.