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babysitter dilemma
so we found a sitter, literally 2 doors down from us and will watch A for $60 a week. She would like the kids out by 6, but is flexible. My mom works 8 mins from our house so if A needs picked up she can come get him, say if DH is running late or what not.
now DH's mom offered to watch A, and it would be free and she said he could stay until 8, again if DH is running late or what not. However i'm hesitant becuz of the smoking situation that i've posted about before. DH says he will talk w/his dad about it if we decide to let her watch A.
Both houses A would have interaction with other children.
What would you do? go for the free or go for the next door neighbors?
TIA
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Re: babysitter dilemma
$60 a week?! That's awesome.
I would go with the neighbors just so you know there will be no smoke and since you're paying, although not very much, you will be able to call the shots. And there will be no drama between the inlaws and babysitting.
We're looking at $245 a week for daycare.
I completely agree w/ Ashley re the IL situation.....
OR
If you are interested in saving the $$ you can try the IL's but at the first sign/smell of smoke, they are done. Make it clear upfront so they will know why you are not allowing them to watch A.
I completely agree with Ashley here! $60 is a great price and its close to your house. Having family watch can be nice, but they also think that they can do what they want and don't have to follow the same rules as when you are paying someone. I don't think you will have as many conflicts if you go with the neighbors, plus you don't have to deal with the smoking issue.
~Kimberly & Eric~ April 21, 2008 ~Tensing Pen ~ Negril, Jamaica ~ My Blog: One Sunset at a Time
I agree with this. Using family as a babysitter full-time can be a sticky situation and can cause conflicts in other areas as well. Maybe MIL can watch A on a date night for you and DH?
I've lived this situation - my aunt let my grandma watch her 2 kids starting when both were babies. My grandma smokes, and the oldest one had serious ear infections and lots of trouble from being around it. They ended up putting tubes in her ears, but not after lots of times of illness. She literally would spin in circles from the lack of balance and throw up in a projectile fashion from it. The doctors pretty much attributed it to the smoking.
I could let my grandma watch my LO, but I'll not be taking that option.
Pick the babysitter in my opinion.
here's my $0.02
My parents watch A-man when I'm working...and a co-worker stated it very well...while I don't pay in cash...I pay in other ways...
I wouldn't be opposed to in-laws if they can follow your "rules". Maybe you can buy them an air purifier. This is what we did for DH's family during visits and they go outside to smoke, but they are very considerate of my wishes.
$60 is not bad and you are paying for her to listen to you. So I might try the IL's and see how it goes.
I made it clear to my parents that we were both getting something out of them watching Anderson. I didn't have to pay for daycare and they were able to spend more time with Anderson. I made it very clear that he would not be used as a pawn if something were to go wrong and we did have a VERY big issue, but we worked through it.
I find my ILs are more concerned with making sure I am happy and they are not overstepping their boundaries. I don't know if yours are the same way, but it could be a positive for you.
Something else we are considering is sending him to a structured daycare/preschool for a day or two so A-man can get interaction with kids his own age and give my parents a day off to make appointments and such (they want to drive him around which gives me major anxiety). So that is another option...but I digress...