Advice - Holly, MI

I know the feeling. I had to do that to my own sister. She watched my son since the day he was born. I'm a single parent and she was a huge help and then she kept him for me when I went back to work full time. She's pretty much been with him everyday of his life. I'm sure she loves him like her own and your babysitter probably feels the same about your child and with that being said would want what's best. Explain your concerns about being around other children. That was my big concern. My son was so sheltered from other kids he would scream if he even heard another baby cry. I had to get his social skills on track. The first week was hard but the outcome was better than I expected and have actually got him sitting up, crawling, laughing at everything, and has no problem with strangers now and he's only 6 months old. In book that's a big deal compared to the scary little baby in the beginning. Your babysitter will understand. Keep her in mind for those nights you want to go out. That way she knows its not her and still gets time with the baby thats she probably has grown close too over the years.

It is a hard thing to do because essentially you are firing your current sitter. As mothers it is important that we do what is in the best interest of our children. I would just suggest that you give her a week or two notice about your plans. I'm sure she has grown very fond of your little one and would want the best also. You may be pleasently surprised by her reaction.

Hi N.~

I think you have to either just tell the sitter that you have decided to find another sitter that has other children because you want your daughter to have the interaction. Or, if you're moving to another home daycare, then you can tell her the other sitter made you an offer you cannot refuse for the following reasons you mentioned in your e-mail. (flexiblity, cost, ect.) You could make it sound like it fell into your lap and you were not out there "looking" so to speak. Either way it will not be easy I'm sure, but you have to do what is best for your daughter.

Keep in mind, that your daughter being around more kids means more germs so make sure that the new sitter has high standards about the children she watches, or if they are her own children they will be there if they are sick. I have had expereince with this taking my daughter to a home daycare and also watching chilren in my home so you need to make sure your making a good move. Good luck to you!

S.

Hello N.,
Research shows that your child needs to be in a nurturing and stable enviorment. Please read this article at
www.readytosucceed.org Go to publications and then scroll down to 1999 where
you will see a pdf for an article on building children's brains.

Confirm that the childcare that you are looking at has a stable, nurturing enviorment. Find out if the staff turnover is very low. Observe the children... are they happy? Do you see that they are loved and cared for? Ask a lot of questions. I would talk with your sitter and let her know your thougts of moving her for more social interaction say in September. That gives her time to find another job and then Ella will be over 2 1/2. I do feel that social interaction is very important in a childs development. Your child will receive so much language and cognative development being with other children. The key is that your child feels confortable so she will learing and grow.
I personaly own a private school that serves children from infant to school age in Highland. We feel that the 0-5 years are the most critical years for development for a child. Our web site is www.buildingblocksschool.com
I hope this was helpful.

N.,
I am a mother of 2 teenagers. I made the mistake many years ago of going with cheaper, etc...
You daughter is still very young. She needs all the individual attention she can get. She has plenty of time to spend with other children and be social when she's in Kindergarten and above. Don't compromise her needs. I believe infants need all the individual attention and nurturing they can get. Independence and socializing comes when they are teenagers not at your daughters age.
This is my opinion since I've "been there done that"!!.

If you know of anyone looking for child care services, maybe mention it to the sitter, maybe having additional children will decrease the amount that you will have to pay and you can still go to the same person. Do you think that she would concider this option?