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Ot/Dd's babysitter asking to take Dd to the Y-need advice

msg1986's picture

So currently Dh's cousin's wife babysits Dd(almost 14 mo's) and I love her to death and trust her dearly. Well, recently, Said cousin & wife began going to the Y and I guess they have a daycare there and so the babysitter has asked me if it would be okay if she takes Dd to the Y also. I guess the babysitter is wanting to start going sometimes in the AM and sometimes Dh's cousin is off from work during the day and they like to go in the morning when he doesn't have work. I should also mention that the babysitter has 2 daughters (dd's cousins) that are 2 & 4 and I guess they love the daycare because they get to socialize with other kids and also because the daycare does activities with the kids.

My question for all you working moms out there, how would you feel about this if you were in my situation?

My first feeling/thought when she asked me was that I didn't like it. I guess I don't like the idea of someone I don't know watching DD for the hour and half that they are there however I'm sure I wouldn't know all the aids/teacher's if she were in a traditional daycare. I also don't like the idea of Dd being transported if I'm not there HOWEVER at the same time I feel like maybe it will be good for her to socialize and do some activities. I also feel like, if I'm paying the babysitter, shouldn't SHE be the one babysitting Dd, not the Y? BUT at the same time she's not asking for money for Dd to be added to their policy and it's only and hour and half NOT all day.

What do you guys think about this? Am I being too sensitive?

Comments

msg1986's picture

Yep, that's a concern also but I feel like if the babysitters daughters are going to the daycare that Dd will be exposed to them anyway, ya know? Beee

msg1986's picture

Yep, that's a concern for me too BUT I feel like if Dd was in a daycare she'd be exposed also PLUS we put her in the daycare at church every Sunday.

OMG Foreverstacey, is that your DD in the pic?!?

msg1986's picture

She is ADORABLE!!! Omg!!!

You're def right in that I don't know these peeps... That's what scares me the most is that I don't know who they are.

Aeron's picture

Yea.... I wouldn't agree to it personally. We put DD in a gym daycare once and she got Horribly wretchedly sick. I also wouldn't be ok with having a third party provider giving care when the contact information they have is for someone else, when I've never met them, seen the facility, etc. I just wouldn't be ok with it. I've heard a lot of horror stories about different day cares, biting, hitting, personnel not being on top of problems along with the germs, etc. I chose who can watch my kid very carefully, so I wouldn't be ok with someone else making that choice for me because they want to work out.

Aeron's picture

In some places it's illegal and in some it may be allowed. Different places are likely to have different policies too, number of people based on ages etc.

I'm actually really surprised a place would take a kid that doesn't actually belong to the people leaving her. Our gym wouldn't allow that. Was one of the top listing on the policy sheet.

kathc's picture

I think she's your first child and you're being really sensitive.

Why don't you go down to the Y yourself and check out the facilities, speak with the staff, etc before you decide? It might help you feel better about it. (Also, if there is something that concerns you then you can be specific in your concern)

msg1986's picture

I feel like that as well.

I think Dh will def check it out. I called and they said they finger print the teachers and do background checks on them. PLUS the babysitters daugthers go and they will be in the same class.

I think the whole thing caught me off guard.

twoviewpoints's picture

Inquire and do your research on the center at the Y for yourself. That way you can make an informed decision. Go visit the center and meet the teachers/aides Watch the kids interacting with both the adults and the other children. Ask questions. At 14moths old things may be entirely different in experience and enjoyment than it is for a 2 and 4yr old.

Afterwards if you decide the center is not something/somewhere you're comfortable in allowing your child to participate in, just explain to your sitter that 'no, it's not something I want my child doing right now'. She'll either understand or not, if she stops babysitting for you on days her exercise days, then you'll have to gracefully understand and find a sitter on those occasions.

Flying.Purple.Step.Monster's picture

There are germs everywhere. All kids will get sick a bunch until their immunity builds up. They will either get sick a bunch in daycare or they will get sick when they go to preschool/kindergarten. I would check out the place. I think it's important for kids to learn to be around other kids.

Willow2010's picture

I would have all of the same feeling you are having, but then I would let her go. You have to start somewhere.

msg1986's picture

That's true...

Emotionally I feel terrified because she's my first child and I won't be there however I do feel like if she were in daycare that I would be faced with all the same concerns. I do feel like it's good for her to socialize with other kids. She goes to the daycare at church so it's not like she isn't exposed to sick kids anyway... hmpf, it's tough being a working mom. It's times like this that I wish I were able to just be a SAHM so that I didn't have to deal with this kind of stuff...

msg1986's picture

This crossed my mind as well.

Dd is with her M-F frm 8:30am - 3:30ish, we pay her 100 a week regardless of how many days are in the month and we also buy groceries for the babysitter at the beginning of each month. We spend around 100 at the beginning of each month to make up for what Dd eats at their house.

I also feel weird about someone else watching Dd if I'm paying the babysitter but at the same time it's just for an hour to an hour and half (i called the daycare and they said they don't allow the kids to stay longer than that so I know that it def would only be at the most, an hour and half) and we just pay her a flat rate of 20 per day.

Disneyfan's picture

How much would it cost you to put her in day care? $100 a week is pretty darn cheap for a one year old. If a friend were willing to sit full time for such a low amount, I wouldn't say no to her request. If I were paying market rate for her service, I would say no in a heartbeat.