We have 2 baby girls, 2 and 8 mos, & we have had the same lady keeping them since the oldest was 6 wks old. We trust her. However, since she has taken on the care of the littlest one she no longer takes them outside to play. After the 2nd baby was born I changed jobs and now work from home. I would really love it if someone could come here to watch them, instead of me dropping them off at someone else's house...or at a regular daycare. My question is...I have met a Cuban lady who would be willing to care for my babies in my house, at a price we can afford, while I work. She speaks only Spanish and I would LOVE for my girls to learn a 2nd language. Do I take a chance with this new lady? If we 'fire' our current daycare provider and this lady changes her mind at some point we would not be able to get the other one back. This scares me. She keeps giving excuses as to why they don't go outside anymore and won't give us a definitive date as to when this issue will be resolved.
2007-02-12 04:52:06 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I can speak quite a bit of Spanish so I would be able to communicate with her. One drawback to keeping them at home is that they will not have friends to play with. The current lady has 2 2-yr old girls and 2 8-month old girls. Soon my girls will be able to play with each other, however.
2007-02-12 05:06:41 · update #1
The trust you have with the first babysitter is priceless. I don't know if I'd risk losing her. So what if she's keeping them inside for now? Maybe she'll take them outside when the little one is older. It could be too overwhelming for her right now. Would you rather them be abused, or spend some time indoors? And, I'm not crazy about having them spend the day with someone who doesn't speak English. I know it would be nice for them to learn Spanish, but right now their language is still developing, so let them focus on their native tongue. I've seen children enter school from being at home full time with a foreign nanny, and their language development is often delayed.
2007-02-12 04:58:08 · answer #1 · answered by true blue 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although her not taking the kid outside may not seem like a big deal to some, but if its a big deal to you, then its a big deal. I think having someone who really cares for your kids is extremely important and if you already have that in this lady then you should keep her, maybe eventually she will feel comfortable taking both of the kids out. It could be a little overwhelming for her and she doesn't want to tell you in fear that you will fire her or that she has let you down. I had the hardest time with childcare so I can relate. Trust me let the kid go out for daycare, although you work from home you still need the tranquility of a quiet house to get your work done successfully and without interruption. You know as well as I, that if the kids were there, you will be trying to work and monitor what the babysitter is doing, it may go ok in the begining but eventually you will start to go nuts.
2007-02-12 05:06:13 · answer #2 · answered by E. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say try out the new lady-if it doesn't work out there are agencies that can help you find one that will work for you-also you could always post an ad and interview people to watch your children. At least you'll be home so you will always know what they are doing and how your sitter is treating them. Sounds like your current provider is being lazy about not taking the kids outside-all she would have to do is put the new one in a stroller-even just a little walk to let the kids get some fresh air. It'll be better to keep them hom anyway. Good Luck!
2007-02-12 05:02:19 · answer #3 · answered by 2princesses 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have made the decision to change your daycare provider, so do so. If shes not taking them outside, then she may never will, so why not just get a new one, try it, and if she leaves, put an ad in the paper and get a new one. Sounds like the lady that currently does it, is having some problems, and maybe you should find a new provider.
2007-02-12 04:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by Proud Mother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Think it through check all the possibilities. Will you be able to work from home if your kids are their? Will the new sitter be able to care for them properly if she cannot speak english? Maybe you could tell the sitter now that your going out of town for couple weeks and just get a feel for the new sitter in that time, and see if she will work out. Whatever happens good luck with that. ( your the mother if you want your kids to have fresh air for an hour a day then give the sitter instructions that you want them to get outside for a certain amount of time.)
2007-02-12 05:05:52 · answer #5 · answered by Jenn S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her your concerns before you even think of bringing some one you don't know or trust yet into your home and around your children, especially because they are still to young to tell you if something is wrong. Good daycare is sooooo hard to find! Don't brake off a relationship with someone you trust if this is the only issue. There are so many other ways to teach your children a second language.
2007-02-12 05:00:20 · answer #6 · answered by Jennifer H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, change tenders.
Kids need to play out of doors, it's healthy.
Bring the Cuban lady on board, since you are going to be home with her, and can sort of keep an eye on things.
Don't worry about not getting the other lady back, you need someone capable of multi-tasking, in other words, watch the baby while the older kids play outside.
I did it no problem at all.
2007-02-12 04:57:58 · answer #7 · answered by Aunt Henny Penny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are confident with the Cuban lady I'd change. Explain to your current provider that it is more practical for you to have the children cared for at home now you are working there. There is a risk that she may change her mind but there is always that risk with child care. Your current provider may also decided to have a change of occupation and you will have missed the opportunity to take on the Cuban lady.
2007-02-12 05:20:30 · answer #8 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you should talk to your current daycare provider and just say that now that you are working from home you would like to try having someone come in to your home to care for your children. Tell her that this way you can see them more often. Tell her you are not sure how it will work out and you are wondering if it doesn't work can you put them back in her care. Don't make it sound like you are doing it because you are unhappy with her services, but just because you would like to see more of your children, but can't be constantly caring for them. I hope this works, hey, shes making money off of you, why would she turn you down if you decided to go back to her. If you try it and it doesn't work having someone else come in to your home then before you put them back in her care (after seeking better options of coarse) talk to her and let her know that it is important to you that they get a certain amount of time outside each day.
Hope this helps!
2007-02-12 05:00:19 · answer #9 · answered by stangwoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do u speak Spanish? How would u communicate with the new sitter? I think the idea of keeping your kids at home is good.
You may want to look at more than one applicant before making up your mind though.
2007-02-12 05:00:17 · answer #10 · answered by Who Me? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋