Watching another baby - need advice
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 06-23-2004 - 11:35pm |
My husband has a co-worker who is looking for someone to watch their son for 4-5 hours a day in the afternoon 5 days a week. I kind of said I'd think about it but haven't really brought it up again. She's going back to work in a few weeks so I've been thinking about it a lot recently. Their son is 9 weeks old and will be about 3 months old by the time I started watching him, where my son will be 7 months. I'm curious, have any of you watched another kid or 2 kids around this same age? How was it and would you recommend I do it? I worry it will be hard. I could just not say anything and I'm sure they will find someone else, they may have already. I was kind of waiting to see if they'd ask me about it again but they haven't. I usually just sit here at home and play on the computer so was thinking it might be a good idea but I'm not sure. I would like to have a playmate for my son when he is older but I worry it will be a lot of work. Plus what if we're sick or her son is sick or we want to go out of town? How much do you think they'd pay & how do I ask about this? Any advice you could give would help me out a ton! I could volunteer for a few days or say I'd like to watch him one time to test it out or I could just drop it and not say anything. Also, would you watch the other baby if you were in my shoes?
Thanks for your help!

I do home childcare and have some advice( just my opinion).
First Off I would do alot of soul searching, Do I like other peoples children? There are alot of people who really adore their children, but not someone else's.
That is the big question really...you would be doing the baby no favor watching him just to watch him...so to speak.
Second is ...Do I want to commit that much time to someone else's baby? Remember when your own baby was that age, it can be very time consuming. Babies usually will have a hard time adjusting to a new setting, you do not smell or sound like mommy.
Do you want to be responsible if anything should happen to baby. Most parents of baby's this age are going to be very paticular(as well they should) and very picky with their baby's care.
You will aslo be somewhat tied to your house, since baby's need schedule's in my opinion. Do you have plans to join any moms groups?
Now the Good part.
I LOVE having children in my home! I care for my 1 yr old nephew and 8 year old nephew during the summer, and teach preschool out of my home during school year. The kids are amazing and wonderful to be around. I run my home like a preschool and we do music time, singing, outside time and sometimes trips. Childcare can be sooooo rewarding! I have alot of patience and do not get stressed with everyday kid stuff. My home is very noisy but I love it, it means they are having fun.
There is also not a big start up cost for childcare, but I would caution you to be very selective...not of the children but of the parents! They need to really understand and follow any rules you set. A contract is a must!
Hope this is helpful! Good Luck!
Are you a M.O.M-Mom of Many? Find other M.O.M's
I would do it in a heart beat! But that's just me and I'm a BTDT. Also if your son or their db is sick, it's okay...they'll pass the illness back and forth, but in the end they will have a built up immunity to illness later in childhood.
HTH
Jennifer, Jessica 2/23/01, Alexandra 7/8/03
Best of luck in your decision and know that you need to make the right choice for you and your family - and I am sure that you will.
-Christy
I guess what I am saying here is if you like to go out and do alot I wouldnt recommend keeping the other child. I thought it would be nice for my son to have a playmate but he didnt like it at all. Consider it all before you jump in there and say "yes".
~Mollie
~J