Vent and/or opinions welcomed!

Cortney81

Since I have gone back to work after Natalie was born, Natalie has been going to an in home babysitter.  She is an older women (60's) who has been doing this for YEARS.  She was highly recommened by a coworker and she has been GREAT with Natalie.  We know that eventually that we will have to move Natalie to a daycare center only because of wanting to have her around more children and because our sitter's home isn't ideal for toddlers running around.  She is more geared towards infants to 24months.  Over the past 6 months we have had some trouble with our sitter being overly paranoid about taking natalie when she has been sick or herself calling off for being sick a week at a time.  I am fortunate enough to have some family that can fill in when needed but its frustrating at the same time to not have her in a routine.  This last episode this week, I had the stomach bug friday and into the weekend and well Natalie caught it Monday while she was with my mother in law.  It was gone by yesterday morning and she was back to herself by lunch.  The sitter wanted nothing to do with her yesterday.  We called the sitter last night to let her know she was fine and that we can get back on schedule and what does she do, she tells us that her husband and her talked and they don't feel that they want her until Thursday due to the fact that they don't know how contaigous she was.  I completely understand and I don't want to get anyone else sick however she is OVERLY paranoid about colds, fevers(she calls and wants you to pick the child up asap if they run a fever) and everything.  Just a few weeks ago, natalie woke up from a nap with a 102 temp and she insisted she was sick well to find out, her first year molars were coming in and she still didn't believe the doctors.  the sitter was like, well they usually don't run that high. 

 

Anyways, my husband and I have tossed around the thought of pulling her and putting her in a daycare setting.  I am sorry for the long post but I just needed to vent and see what you ladies would do if you were in my shoes. Thanks!

summerbridesara

We don't use a sitter yet, so I can't totally relate.  BUT...my mom does a daycare back where I'm from.  I know she has had kids when they are sick...she has a daycare of 6 kids.  Now, if the kid is throwing up all over the place or has diarrhea, then she'll call the parents.  I know she has had kids with colds, fevers, etc.   It does sound like your sitter is being super cautious.  Are her and her husband at an increased risk for getting sick (besides being in their 60's)? 

I really don't know what I'd do.  What age were you planning on putting her in a daycare?  If it's close to that time, I'd be looking for daycares.  You are lucky you have back up people who can help when she won't let you bring Natalie.  

Good luck!

rlthomas7

We chose a center for this very reason - if someone is sick, someone else can cover. They do send children home for fevers higher than 100, I think, or if they have more than one diaper with very loose stool. But these are state-mandated rules. They can go back when they've been on antibiotics for 24 hours. I'd go with a center so that you only have to worry when Natalie is sick which, in my experience, is a lot that first year!

nj67ws56qa21

Vent away!  I'd be ticked, too, but it sounds like it is just one of those things.  Home providers can basically make their own rules when it comes to sick days, etc., as any business would that does not have to adhere to the state mandates.  I sure hope you don't have to pay for the time that they won't allow Natalie there...that'd be really ridiculous.  Look on the bright side though, maybe Natalie hasn't been nearly as sick as she would have been this past year had the provider not had as strict rules.  Switching to a daycare sounds like a good option...just beware that they come with their own set of headaches (like rapid turnover, paying for days you aren't there, school delays, etc.).