or would your opinion of the baby-sitter change and you wouldn't consider them trustworthy enough to babysit because of that
One incident?
2006-12-22 15:56:42 · 60 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I wouldn't blame the babysitter. Yes, the child shouldn't have been playing up there, but they easily could have fallen off while you were home, too. Kids are both curious, sneaky, and adventerous.
You're babysitter probably feels horrible about the situation. You should appreciate the fact that they brought the incident to your attention rather than hide it. That shows integrity.
Let your babysitter know that maybe you have limits for your children, as where they can and can't play, let her know that the incident upset you, but also let her know that it wasn't her fault and if she needs any help or advice with how to deal with your child to prevent future problems that you will glady help her.
2006-12-22 16:00:49 · answer #1 · answered by Suse 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well what was a five year old doing on the top bunk? Was that a place where you would allow a five year old access to? Do you allow the five year old up there regularly? How did the five year old get up there? Was the sitter putting the child up there so they did not have to watch him or her so close? (thinking the kid would be stuck up there, so to speak?) If the child climed up on his or her own and that is not a place where the child should be then where was the supervision during the climb? If the child should not have had access to climb up there and it is due to lack of supervision or the child was placed up there...Either way...You know and I know it takes just a moment for something bad to happen...Just a moment...You are paying the sitter I suppose? To watch the child. They were not watching the child...they were NOT doing what they were supposed to do and a child life was put in danger...Okay the kid did not get hurt...This time.... Five year old with a serious head injury.. the child is lucky...Your lucky and the sitter is lucky...BUT out of a sitter job...For good. Sorry sitter but you should find another occupation. The child welfare and safety comes before someones feelings getting hurt. HELL NO. The sitter is out and with good reason. Bye now
2006-12-22 16:10:41 · answer #2 · answered by perrin501 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kids have accidents all the time. Whether the parents are around or if someone else is watching them. The questions is....What was your baby-sitter doing at the time the accident occured? If she was watching a movie or talking on the phone (or if you suspect she just isn't supervising) then I would probably stop asking her to sit. But if she seems like she stays involved and gives good supervision while you are gone, then I would figure the same thing would have happened while I was there and my opinion of her wouldn't change. Another thing I'd consider is how she handled it. Did she tell you about it so you'd be informed on how things went, or did your 5 year old mention it? That might matter too. In general I wouldn't fire a babysitter over one incident unless I suspected gross negligence.
2006-12-22 16:10:30 · answer #3 · answered by Steph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the 5 year-old normally sleeps on the top bunk why wuld you fire the babysitter? A child under about age 8 should not sleep on the top bunk. I always fell out of bed until about age 6 or 7
2006-12-22 16:10:36 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son fell off the top bunk when I was standing across the room. Accidents happen, the person probably feels terrible already. If this was to continue, or they do not seem to pay attention to the kids, fire them. Lay down the law when you first hire the baby sitter, the kids are their priority. No visitors, very limited phone calls, just like a normal job.
But accidents do happen, you will be joking about this in a couple months.
2006-12-23 00:38:12 · answer #5 · answered by jpbofohio 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was four I fell off of the top bunk. I was helping my mom make the bed. I was unconscious for fourteen hours. Things happen. I wouldn't fire her just because of one incident. Accidents happen and s/he feels horrible about it. I would talk to your five year old and make sure they feel safe with the babysitter. If they still do then carry on. I know it's a hard judgment call but I'm sure everything will be okay.
2006-12-22 16:24:19 · answer #6 · answered by .vato. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way!! I'm sure the babysitter feels horrible about this just as a mom or dad would if they had been home. I would probably have a heart to heart with the babysitter about how bittersweet it is to be a parent and be responsible for another human being. That when he or she has their own children it is like laughing though tears. We all make mistakes in parenting and this is what it feels like - and that they should always remember this moment, not to dwell on and feel bad about, but to relish the point that this babysitter got to experience feelings most people don't get until they have kids. He or she was able to have a glimpse into the future. Maybe it just might make them double think important decisions in life, especially teen and young adult decisions.
God Bless
2006-12-22 16:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by Kelly M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I guess it depends on whether the child was sleeping or just up in the room messing around. If the child was sleeping then it's not the babysitters fault and it could have happened even if you were there! If the child was awake, seeing that she is the babysitter she probably should have been watching a little closer. I would try to find out exactly when and why the child fell off the bed and then decide whether I was going to trust her anymore!
2006-12-22 16:05:19 · answer #8 · answered by xalia331 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would consider the track-record of the babysitter. Is she on time? Is the house in reasonably good shape when you return? Are the kids happy and calm? How does she explain the incident? After all, she can't be with a houseful of kids every second, any more than parents can watch or be in the same room for hours at a time.
2006-12-23 05:08:58 · answer #9 · answered by Janet B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would give the babysitter the benefit of the doubt. Kids are constantly falling down. Mine does all the time, and he's perfectly okay. Even when I try to prevent it, I can't help the inevitable. It's going to happen whether I like it or not. My opinion of the babysitter would not change. I would probably ask him or her to try and keep a better eye out on the child from now on since children tend to be accident-prone.
2006-12-22 16:05:57 · answer #10 · answered by herefordsun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋