My sister-in-law is almost completely blind due to an injury during her childhood. She has a 3 1/2 year old daughter, which she has done a good job raising. However, she has decided that since she likes children so much, and is a stay at home mom, that she should start babysitting other peoples children at home. She has started distributing flyers and has had a few responses. My biggest complaint is that she has not informed (nor intends to inform) the parents of her visual condition. She put in her flyer that she will take any child who has started walking, so she could get a child as young as 1 year old. Although my sister-in-law has done a good job with her own daughter, I have seen numerous times where she misses things her daughter has done (playing with electrical outlets, jumping off of tables, etc.) Although her own child has never been seriously injured, I worry that something could happen to another child in her care. My DH doesn't think it's my business. Any advice?
2007-11-04 04:36:59 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
So what! If she is doing a good job raising her daughter there is no reason she cant babysit. When I was little my neighbor was completely blind and let me tell she new what I was doing better then anyone who could see. Nothing got past her. She raised 2 sons that went onto college and became successful. She was on a bowling team, she also was in the paper for teaching the blind to read she even taught me how to read Braille, she then opened a health food and vitamin store. And she is now retired making crafts. What you see as a handicap is not necessarily the case for her. People can be amazing when they put there mind to it. I think you should be more supportive of her and helpful with suggestions on how she might make things easier to do her job babysitting.
2007-11-08 04:13:25 · answer #1 · answered by cinbadd65 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well she should definately childproof her home then if she is taking in children as young as 1 years old with her condition of legally blind. http://www.robynsnest.com/childproof.htm. Maybe get insurance in case something does happen to them. Tell her to take a few in at a time until she feels confident. I don't know if she is getting Disability benefits from Income Assistance.
This applies for ALL parents, but more so in in her case. I am hearing impaired, I have a special doorbell that lights up when somebody rings that bell. and I have an alarm clock that vibrates when the alarm goes off and it goes under my pillow.
2007-11-04 12:59:40 · answer #2 · answered by Laura 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In most states she's going to have to obtain a child care license if she takes care of more than a certain number of kids. The license provider should see that she's too visually impaired and probably not grant her the license. It would depend on the state.
However if your sister-in-law just wants to babysit a small number of kids, you and others would need to talk her out of it. Tell her that her first responsibility is to her own daughter, Strongly encourage her to "childproof" her home so her daughter does not have access to things like electrical outlets.
2007-11-04 12:46:27 · answer #3 · answered by susandiane311 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Your sister-in-law is a most admirable person for having raised her daughter without mishap, and from what you say is a happy and well-adjusted individual.
Her having achieved such good results, does not however qualify her for attending to other children's needs, and to expect commensurate results with them.
Her disability it would seem to me, would disqualify her from obtaining a license to provide such services that she seems determined to do.
You didn't reference the question of licensing in your details. Why not?
This to me would seem to resolve the issue. I'm afraid I don't understand the legitimacy of your dilemma.
Wotan
2007-11-04 12:50:34 · answer #4 · answered by Alberich 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not informing the parents is hugely irresponsible on her part; she is just asking for a lawsuit. Emotions aside, your DH should realize that it's a financial risk for her. Would he really want her to lose everything? Maybe he can discuss it with her on that level.
2007-11-04 12:48:14 · answer #5 · answered by Lyn 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
she is being completely irresponsible and should be told so. there are alot of other ways to be involved with kids if she wants that. I'm horrified to know that she wouldn't tell prospective clients of her condition. You should talk to her (and her husband) and advise them of the risks and legal ramifications. Ask your DH how he'd feel if it was his child placed in this situation?
2007-11-04 21:27:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just tell her nicely that you think it would be of her and other people's safety that she not open one becuase someone might get seriously hurt and she would get in trouble. If that doesn't work, then just point out blank tell her that it might be really dangerous if she can't see anything too~
2007-11-04 12:47:22 · answer #7 · answered by Brittany W 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋