I'd love some thoughts on this. I have an evening class on Thursday night, at 6:30p, so I'd have to leave the house around 6:10-6:15. I usually pick DD up from daycare around 6p, and Dh doesn't get home til around 7.
I asked one of my neighbors (we're close and watch each other's kids occasionally) if I could leave DD with her, and she's getting back to me soon. As a backup, I have another neighbor I'm close with who I could ask, BUT she has 3 young kids already. I've never asked about watching each other's kids, because I feel like adding one more to her mix is too much? It would only be an hour or so, and DD gets along great with her boys so the kids would be entertaining each other.
Would it be obnoxious for me to ask her to watch my kiddo? She's too nice to say no unless she actually can't, but I don't want to impose. I really want to take this class, since breastfeeding was a clusterfuck last time, and it's only offered once a month on Thursday nights so we'd always have the same problem.
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
Thanks! I should have added that her kids are often still playing outside 'til around 7, so I think they do dinner etc late, but I'm not entirely sure. She's too nice to say no, and I don't want to be a pain in the ass.
No family in the area at the moment who can jump in, unfortunately. My parents have a place in town but are away for now. I mean worst case, if my first neighbor can't do it, I'll just cancel the class and make do.
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
@bay511, honestly I don't think she'd say no, unless they're going to be away, but I don't want to be annoying.
@sillygirl85, unfortunately no, he just started a new job and can't take any time off yet. To the extent that he has a little bit of leave, he needs to save what he can for when this baby comes in a few months.
Thanks for all the opinions, ladies!
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
I have three kids. They are a bit older now (9,8, and 5). I would take on one more for an hour. I would have done it when they were younger. I would probably just put on a movie and let everybody relax, finish dinner, and get on jammies. Not a big deal for us.
I have 3 and one more running around on a summer night isn't a big deal for me so I'd do it. I do understand about feeling like imposing on someone though. I'd offer to drop off dinner &/or dessert for them on that night.
I only have 1 kid, so I'm maybe a bad one to give an opinion, but my opinion anyway is that I wouldn't mind watching another one for an hour if the other mom really needed help. I'm also not too strict about routines, mealtime, and bedtime.
But also, I'm assertive enough that if someone asked and it didn't work for us, I would just let them know. Is there any way you could ask but insist that the lady let you know if it's too much?
I would do it & have done it. Even if it was prime dinner time, whats one more, for one night, for one hour(ish). If i knew about it a day or so ahead of time I would just plan on things being a little more relaxed that night than usual.
I should have mentioned ages. Her boys are 8, 5, and 3, and my DD is 3. She's buddies with the two younger ones and they play together well. So no little babies involved here. I suspect DD is the one with the earliest bedtime of the lot, since I try to have her in bed before 8 and sometimes the other kids are still outside then, if the weather is nice.
And yes, it's a one-time class. The hospital offers it monthly, but I don't plan to take it more than once! I mentioned it being offered monthly to explain that it's always on Thursdays, there aren't weekend options or anything that would work better with DH's schedule.
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
It's only a one time, one hour deal? Go ahead and ask her. Even if it ends up being a nightmare, it's only one hour. I would not even think twice about saying yes, and my kids are 6, 4 and 14 months.
One time? Yes. Right now, I'd do it once a month. 2 years ago, I wouldn't have. My kid was super difficult and the thought of throwing another one at me makes me cringe. I'm camp it depends on the family's circumstances.
I'd totally do it. If someone handed me their three year old for an hour I'd be over the moon. DD can not entertain herself at all but she loves friends.
I would totally do it for a friend. I have 4 kids and I think the fact that she has 3 would make her more used to a little chaos and I bet she wouldn't mind at all. My mindset is usually "what is one more?" And like PPs said, it will probably actually HELP her at dinnertime to have the kids occupied.
For a friend, or even a neighbor that I don't know very well, I would do it in a heartbeat. Not a big deal and I would hope somebody would do the same for me in a pinch.
Thanks for all the opinions, folks! Bringing by pizza is a great idea, too, I'll do that. I usually get home from work right when I need to pick up DD, but if I leave a little early I can grab some pizzas for them. I like that a lot.
Thanks!
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
Update! Fortunately, the first neighbor I asked can do it, so no need to trouble my other neighbor. I'm still dropping off pizza with my kiddo, though, I really like that idea.
Thanks again for all the input, everyone!
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
Re: WDPT - is this an imposition?
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks
Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks
Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
FYI: I have three kids, and throwing another into the mix for an hour would be no big deal. If it were a weekly thing, it might be too much.
But also, I'm assertive enough that if someone asked and it didn't work for us, I would just let them know. Is there any way you could ask but insist that the lady let you know if it's too much?
Stupid bump, act right!
I should have mentioned ages. Her boys are 8, 5, and 3, and my DD is 3. She's buddies with the two younger ones and they play together well. So no little babies involved here. I suspect DD is the one with the earliest bedtime of the lot, since I try to have her in bed before 8 and sometimes the other kids are still outside then, if the weather is nice.
And yes, it's a one-time class. The hospital offers it monthly, but I don't plan to take it more than once! I mentioned it being offered monthly to explain that it's always on Thursdays, there aren't weekend options or anything that would work better with DH's schedule.
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks
Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
I'm with rondack. Ask and offer pizza!
Thanks!
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks
Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014
Thanks again for all the input, everyone!
DD1, born 4/10/11 at 32 weeks
Cooking #2 Due 9/18/2014