I am a 25 year old wife with a 2 year old child of my own, and years of experience of watching children. I am not working right now, so to supplement my husband's income, I accepted an offer to babysit a 7 year old girl, whom I didn't know either of her parents. I have been watching her for about 2 months now. Her dad drops her off at 6 am, I take her to school and pick her up, then her dad picks her up from my home anywhere from 4-6 pm. My delema is that in the past two months, I have caught her in several fibs. And she has admitted to me that she lies to her father. I dont feel comfortable watching a child that lies. Should I continue to watch this child. I may be the only positive influence she has.
2006-12-14 08:24:51 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Just another detail....her mom's in jail...no motherly figure.
2006-12-14 12:19:57 · update #1
I know this may sound harsh, but I wouldn't if I were you, it is only a matter of time before she lies on you. You could talk to her parents and see if it is something that she is aware of. I babysat a boy that was 10 a few years ago. I knew that he was a fibber, his parents had told me. I got really concerned when he started these stories that his mom and dad were hitting him and he didn't want me to talk to them about it, because they would do it worse. I pondered this for a long time- and talked to several people, including his teachers, and even brought the police and social services into it under his parents. I did this only thinking that I was protecting him. Well, it turned into this big ol mess that in the end ended up being that he admitted that he lied because his mom wouldn't let him have a gameboy back that she had taken away for lying in the first place!! In the mean time, he was lying to his parents saying that I was yelling at him, and would not feed him, and I locked him out side and all of these cruel things!! Everyday I would sit down and do his homework, and I would take him to the movies, the park, and we ate out like three times a week!! And all the while I was feeling sorry for him because of his lies, he was lying to other about me!!! So just be careful, or what you think you are helping might back fire!!!
2006-12-14 09:53:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, If you haven't done so please consider meeting with both of her parents face to face and introduce yourselves. It may give you an insight in the child's behavior.
Children lie for all sorts of reasons, but mainly to either get what they "want" or to get attention. Due to the severity of this issue, I would honestly recommend meeting with her parents and the four of you working towards an understanding that lying is unacceptable.
If you are possibly the only positive influence she has in her life then make it clear to her that it'll be worthwhile for her in the long run to be honest with you. Where there is no honesty, there is no trust, and when you're looking after someone else's child that trust is extremely important.
Best wishes.
2006-12-14 17:59:14 · answer #2 · answered by persephone11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to let her father know so that he can discipline her. It's not OK for her to lie, but it's not your job to teach her. I know you have a good heart and are trying to be her motherly figure, but you only see her what 3-4 hours a day. It's the parent's job to parent their child
2006-12-14 23:53:45 · answer #3 · answered by Lottalove 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't. For your sake and your kids. Your child will start to pick up on it, 2 year olds are like sponges, it won't take long. If you are worried, you are the only positive influence she has, maybe you can talk to a school counselor or something.
2006-12-14 17:55:41 · answer #4 · answered by buckeyefever7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Work with her don't give up on her she is 7. Try to tell her how lieing effects everyone around her & she will not make friends this way. Give her a chance you can do it. Good luck it is not an easy job.
2006-12-15 06:18:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should talk to her father about this, and tell him your concerns. If he does not seem to care, then I would consider quitting. He may just be a single father with no clues on raising a girl.
2006-12-18 01:55:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
is she fibbing to you about little things or big things ? if its just little things try working with her on it, if that doesn't help then stop watching her. if she's fibbing about big things i would stop watching her. i work at a daycare and that's what we do. hope it helps. good luck. ~*~Blessed Be~*~
2006-12-14 20:02:02 · answer #7 · answered by ~*~AmethystMoonBeams~*~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋