Am I a mean babysitter?

Question

I babysit two kids, a 1 year old and a 4 year old. I like kids but sometimes I do get annoyed with them, like I'm sure a lot of people do. But anyways. The 4 year old, only drinks fruit punch/kool-aid, and that is all his mother gives him.
He does not drink water, or milk.he always brings over this big container of punch for him, every week. I only let him drink in the kitchen so that he won't spill it on my carpet, but he constantly is getting up and going in and out of the kitchen when he is thirsty....it is kind of crowded in my apartment, so i just want him to drink all of the kool-aid at once that is in his cup and come sit down.
My husband comes home from work , and he gets a cup of kool-aid and the 4 yar old sees him gets some, so then he asks me for some, and I say no, you already had enough kool-aid today. Then my friggin' husband barges in and says "The boy is thirsty let him have some kool-aid." He made me mad when he did that,bc for one i'm the babysitter....

I do not think that is right for him to give the kid Kool-aid after I'd already said no and on top of it he dod not finish it bc he only wanted some bc my husband got some. Check out "Am I a mean babysitter part 2?"

Answer 1

I work in Child Daycare! That being said, your husband did a major no-no when he undermined your authority in front of the boy! Not only did he tell the kid that you did not have the ability to make the right decisions, but also sent him the message that you were not worthy of any respect as well.

I used to have a partner who did the same thing to me! Whenever I would discipline a child, or take away a privilege, she would always come over to them as the "loving grandmother" who understood, and made "rhino" out to be the bad cop monster, often telling the kids they could do what I told them they couldn't. The kids knew they could play her, and I had a hell of a hard time with discipline whenever she and I were together as partners. I was very thankful when she was finally let go.

The kid had had too much Kool-Aid, and you were right in laying down the law! If he was that thirsty, there was plenty of water. Your husband was totally out of line.

As far as what the others are saying about the child not being yours. That's true, but he was left in your care, which means, as long as you are responsible for him, you are the decision maker. These same people wouldn't want you to let the kid play with knives, under the same reasoning that, "Oh well, he's not my kid." The kid needs to learn that, when different people are in charge, the rules may be a little different then what he is used to. If he doesn't learn that lesson now, he will have a hell of a hard time adjusting to kindegarden.

Answer 2

Kids are like that. I have twin nephews who are five and when they see someone else with something, they want it. When I give them something to drink, they also take sips at it and constantly run back and forth. That's just a kid thing. I do think that your husband was wrong to go voer your head, but that's a man thing. men are bad about second guessing you in front of kids. I don't think they do it intentionally. I don't think that you are mean, but don't let it get you upset. If the kid wants the kool aid and he isn't being wasteful or messy with then let him drink until he's content.

Answer 3

Wtf-these kids shouldn't be drinking Kool-aid- it's loaded with sugar & bad for the brain-what's healthier is if u get Cranberry-grape juice-and water it down a bit. they won't know the difference-u can even keep an empty packet of Kool-aid, & show it to the kid so he thinks that's what he's drinking. The kid didn't one day say mom, I want kool-aid-u shoud talk to their mom-obviously mom is the one that got it in the 1st place-what do they eat for lunch-fast food? And tell your husband to mind his own biz unless he wants to babysit. Children only eat & drink what u give them. They might cry at the switch but so what they'll get over it & then u can tell their mom-look they like THIS juice now....

Answer 4

attempt calling your mom or maybe yet another relative if she is unavailable or nevertheless feels as though the babysitter is wonderful. tell them what has been taking place and which you experience she is being propose, unreasonable, and, confident, abusive. See in case you will get a various babysitter or stay with a relative/kinfolk pal for something of the trip. in case you experience which you're in prompt possibility, call 911.

Answer 5

You're not mean. Your husband was wrong. I don't think he did it intentionally. He was most likely thinking, what's the big deal. You should tell him what another responder said that what he did was undermine your authority in front of an impressionable child. You are in charge and he needs to respect that. If he has a problem then he should pull you aside away from the child. I don't know how you deal with the issue of kool aid other than to maybe speak with the mother and address your concern in terms of the amount of sugar and citric acid the child is consuming. Citric acid is awful for teeth.

Answer 6

you're not mean, but you're unprofessional
1- your husband should not drink the kid's kool aid. The kid's mom brought it for the kid, and you or your husband should not touch it, regardless of how big the jug is.
2-It's fine that you ask the kid to drink it in the kitchen, but you should not let him pour it himself, unless he's only using plastic cups
3-it's not up to you to decide if he's had enough already.

Answer 7

no you are doing right by not letting the kid drink more kool -aid but kids don't drink like us adults. they like to have a few sips of their drink then put it down and drink the rest later i know i use to babysit my sisters kids and my friends kids

Answer 8

Yes you are! I would never ever give kids Kool Aid but that child is not yours. If his parents let him have it then get over yourself. Kids always want to do what adults do and having a glass of Kool Aid is NOT the end of the world. I know of no child who drinks their entire glass all at once. tell him he can only drink it in the kitchen but he can go back and forth for sips if he wants. STOP being so controlling...

Answer 9

well drinking in kitchen only i understand cause i babysit and thats my rule too but i switch up what they drink and leave their cup on the counter so when want a sip thety go to kitchen get one and continue what they are doing maybe you need some more patience

Answer 10

No, you are not mean. You are responsible for this child just like he is your own, when you have him. You have to make rules and he has to follow them. Your husband should never step in even if it is your own children. That is totally disrespectful and it shows the children, regardless if they are your children or ones that you babysit, that they don't have to obey you or listen to you, because he will let them do what ever they want.