I babysit a 3 yr old who is tough kid. I don't think I can handle it?

Question

I am a mommy of 2 children a 2yr old and a 1 yr old. I also have 3 dogs. With just the 5 of us at home, it's great, I get a little me time..Now since I started to babysit, this little girl wants me to devote all my time to make her happy. She hits my son, and I put her in time out, she just laughs, I tell her to stop, and when she gets out she'll do it again. She has destroyed my child gate by swinging it hard and it snapped right in front of me. She doesn't listen to me at all, and she begs for fast food all day, and won't eat a healthy meal. I have her from 9 to 6, I feed her and drive her back and forth to her daddy's job. When we go to walmart I tell her to keep hand hands to herself and she touches everything, I had to paid for the glass bottle she dropped, I get paid 70 dollars. It's not enough when I have to drive, and feed her. Also, I have lost contact with my friends and my mother. I have told myself that'll handle this until June, and then I'll tell them my 2 weeks notice.

like today is my daughter first bday and I didn't even get to do anything fun with her.

also my house has been looking like a dump since I have no time to myself.

I'm afraid the people will think I'm racist since shes black

Answer 1

Lets put this in perspective about how much you really are making.

First you are getting $70 a week
Then you have to
drive her back and
forth to daddy, about
1/2 a tank of gas -$ 10 a week

Then you are feeding
her, probably two
meals + snacks -$ 20 to 25 a week.

Now you are down to earning $40 a week

Next, you are paying for broken things and replacing items that she destroyed - let's say another $10 a week.

So, you are really making just $30 a week. Is the stress worth this little bit of money, plus the time you are losing with your own kids and family. Only you can answer that question, but I would give my notice now.

Answer 2

haha not to laugh but sounds like every day life for me, i have a child with special needs, he suffers from ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and has problems with reading and writing, he is 9 now so its easier but i remember how much of a handful he was back then, i dont know how i didnt have a nervous break down.. the only way forward is to either introduce a naughty step or a naughty corner, i didnt think this would work, but it does, you have to be firm and keep to it and dont give in, acording 2 age id put them on the step for 2 minutes, keeping eye contact sit them on the step and look into there eyes and say "im sitting you on here because you have been naughty, you have a think about what you have done and when i come back i would like you 2 say sorry", 1st few times they will get straight off the step and you must put them back on and say your 2 minutes will restart every time you move. it really worked with my son and he had learning difficulties which made it harder. good luck i think you need 2 get it through to the parents also that they should be doing this at home also, im not a childminder but i can certainly try my best

Answer 3

First of all WOW. Have you talked to the kids parents? This kid doesn't get any discipline at home so she feels she can do what she want. I would tell Mom and Dad that if matters dont get better in the next to weeks you cant watch her. As for your daughters B day sorry to hear but you can make something up to her most kids just like being with MOM. If it doesn't get better STOP watching the kid
Good Luck

Answer 4

You poor thing. It must be hard to have to deal with something like that. First, I would have a talk with the parents and tell them that if their child does not improve her behavior you will no longer provide services for them. You need to tell them what happens when she's around. If they don't believe you than video tape it. Babysitting jobs should not get in the way of family especially when it comes to quality time and phyisical health. I wouldn't put up with it. You are the adult, you have to make sound decisions. However, putting her in timeout apparently isn't working so you will have to try something else. If she won't eat what you put in front of her then she doesn't get to eat. you have to be willing to take stuff away and punish her appropriately. My babysitter used to give us a swat if I was really bad. Talk to the parents and negotiate. If you have to pay for the childs mistakes and food then you need to charge them for it. Hope everything works out ok.

Answer 5

Talk to the parent(s) and tell them what is going on. Find out if this is how she is with them also. If it is, she may never listen to you. But I would explain to them her bad behaviour is seriously making you reconsider whether taking care of her is your best option and theirs. They are going to have a very hard time getting anyone to watch her if she continues to misbehave this way. Some people never discipline their children. This little girl needs some of it desperatly it sounds like.
If you have to wait until June, I would still sit down with the parents and let them know this little girl needs it clarified that you are the boss when they are at work. For you and your kids it might be better to work on rewarding good behaviour when you catch her doing something good and ignoring her when she does something bad she may be trying for attention. Good luck whatever you decide.

Answer 6

Is the 70 bucks worth all of that? You are losing time with your own kids, your home is getting torn apart, not to mention your kids are going to learn from the kid you are babysitting. I would say, to stop it. Forget the 2 week notice took, tell the parents, the kid is crazy and doesnt listen and get back to your normal life.

Answer 7

you just need to explain that you are unable to babysit any longer as you have realised you have taken on too much too quickly after the birth of your two children and you are very sorry. This is quite believable as you have two young children. Don't feel bad, nor racist. Racism is not the reason the fact that the kid is out of control. Colour does not come into it

Answer 8

I must say that the child you've described is out of control! Is this a testing thing or is it due to lack of good boundary's at home? Sounds like babysitters are this child's only real parents! I guess the question is can you hold out long enough to teach this child proper boundaries? You could be this child's only real chance at normal!
Love is the only real answer! Pandora

Answer 9

Get rid of her. Tell her parents you can't watch her any more. If they ask why, tell them the truth. If she sticks around your kids are going to pick up on her bad habits. If you do decide to keep her for another few months make her parents bring her food and give you gas money. My sister lived with me for a while. She has horrible kids. They scribbled on everything, tore up my stuff, cracked our car windshield with a bat, and ever threw rocks at my fiances friends car (cracking a the window and giving it two dents). They are four and five. What makes me mad the most is that my sister or their dad didn't even care (it wasn't their stuff). They will never live with us again. EVER. To make matters worse, their bad habits wore of on my son (he is three) I hope that I can get his back to the way he was. I don't want it to rub off on to my baby girl.

Answer 10

You should stop baby sitting this kid. Tell her parents that you cannot handle her and don't give in to any increase that they may offer to you. You should be spending more time with your kids and not with others kids.

Time is precious. By the time you know it, your kids have grown up and does not need your attention anymore. So give all the attention that you can give to your kids now.

Good Luck!