I am currently using a neighbor (right across the street!) as my babysitter for my 6 yr old girl. She is great, takes her to school, picks her up and my daughter loves her. I am also 7 months pregnant and she had previously agreed to watch our newborn. Unfortunately, last night her husband left her and she will soon be moving. Not sure where or when she will be leaving. Well, my question is this... How do I approach the question of her watching my children? I mean, if she will still be able to or not? How long should I wait before asking her? I do care about her situation and don't want to push her when she is going through this hard time, but I do need to know this info... Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I agree with the other moms. Ask her how she is doing and let her know that you are a shoulder to cry on or and ear to talk to if she needs it; then bring up the babysitting questions after you have gotten her to open up and showing her that you care.
I hate to give you this kind of advice, but you should look for another babysitter. With her husband gone, she is going to be experiencing a lot of feelings that she will not know how to deal with, and you do not want your kids to get caught in the middle. Unfortunately, this is a bad situation all around.
S. I think the sooner the better to ask her you don't want to wait too long just in case you have to find a new babysitter. As for as approaching her I would just ask her, find out what her plans are if she still plans on watching your step-daughter or if she is going to find another job. If she plans on finding another job when. When my ex and I split up I told the people I was babysitting for what was going on and I was still going to be able to keep babysitting for them and where I was moving to. I hope this helps
J.
If you ask her about it now, it might help her in her decision about where and when to move. It might make her happy to hear that you still want her as your babysitter, after this awful rejection by her husband. She may need to know she can still plan on making money by watching your children.
With a baby coming in two months, you also need to know asap if you need to track down a daycare provider. They can be hard to find.
you said it all yourself. Ask her about her situation first and let her know you care and want to help if you can and then ask her if it will be a problem if she still watches the kids. This is important to both of you. She may need the income and you need her. Just don't be pushy, take your time, be a friend first
I think anyone would understand why you are asking this. It is important for you to be prepared if you need to find someone new to watch your children. Even though she is going through a tough time I am sure she will understand why you are asking.
I would just ask her if she will be able to watch your kids when she moves. Also keep in mind that she may be moving farther then you would want to drive. From experinace I know you do not want a sitter who is going to watch you child and be stressed about other things while watching you child. It may affect the care your child is getting or it may affect the caregiver health. Both are very bad. I know it is hard on you and your child to move from sitter to sitter, especally when you have someone both of you love. You will be able to find someone to work with and it will be easier on all of you if you have some transition time. Not today we are going here and tomorrow we are going somewhere new. Your new little one will benifit from not having to change in weeks or months after he is born. I am sure she will be happy to have the "out" if she needs it. She probally loves you daughter as much as you do and wont want to lose her so she may streatch herself to thin just to see your daughter or to keep you happy or because she does not feel confortable with confrenation.
I would call her to check on her and make sure everything is okay with her. After you make sure she is okay...just say "I am not trying to be selfish...but since you watch my daughter I kinda need to know....do you have a time frame or know where...were you still wanting to watch the kids?" I have moved several times all while babysitting, but I moved close enough to still watch the same children. So, you might not have anything to worry about. Good luck. C.
I would say just ask her and see what she says. If she's not sure say you'll give her some time but u need to know soon so that way if she's not gonna watch them then u can get someone else to do it.
I would talk to her about her situation and tell her that I know it must be difficult and if she thinks it would be best for me to get a new babysitter I would understand. End it with "let me know" if she doesn't immediately agree with you that you need a new sitter. In the meantime start looking to line someone up. You also may wish to consider how this situation is going to effect your children in the sense that if this lady is not able to cope well, I cannot imagine it would be a nourishing environment for them. As it is you may need to talk to your daughter about what happened. Good luck!
B. :)
