My Babysitter Lied Should I Still Take My Kids to Her???

Updated on July 19, 2008
M.R. asks from Seffner, FL
14 answers

Hello I am a mom of two beautiful girls. The oldest 3 and youngest 4 months old. I recently had to return to work and had to do the dreadable and leave my babies at babysitters. I was recommended to this individual from my mother-in-law's best friend. Need less to say I don't really know the lady but wanted to try her out as I did not want to revert to daycare facility. The girls just started going there this week so today is only their 4th day. Everything has been great except for today. To sum it all up I picked them early as my oldest had a Dr. appt. While there one of the nurses pointed out the my baby had a booboo. I had no idea what she was talking about until I look down at her hand and noticed the her middle finger was bleeding at the tip. I was devasted. I did not know what to think. I called the baby sitter and questioned her about it and her response was :she did not know what had happened and that she never noticed it. I was very dissapointed and dealing with alot at the time so I told her I would have to call her back. When I got home I received a phone call from her stating that she had figured out what happened. Apparantly her niece had been over visiting today and she decided to cut my little girls nails. My babysitter claims that she had just stepped away to take my 3 year old to the restroom when this all happened. She claims that her niece panicked and therefore did not mention it to her.So she was clueless of situation. She further stated that she never heard baby cry or she would have known something was wrong. I don't accept that because I myself had that horrible experience of clipping my babies skin while trying to cut nail and believe me "" SHE CRIED out in severe pain. I don't know that I want to take my children to her anymore as I feel very uncomfortable and don't trust her anymore. Am I going overboard and overreacting???

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I just wanted to thank everyone for your feedback and support. It is great to get input from others who might have experienced a similar scenario or just have good suggestions on how to work through situation like this. I just wanted to clear up some info as I wasn't clear enough (sorry) her neice happens to be 20 and the cut was pretty severe. It is in the shape of a U on the tip of her finger. She obviously bled for a while as her blanket has blood spots all over as well as the pants she was wearing. Im so upset about the whole situation. My mother-in-law will be keeping them tomorrow and then we have the weekend to figure out something. My husband and I have decided not to take them back and will be making other arrangements. Thanks again for all your comments and good wishes. God Bless.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.V.

answers from Fort Myers on

Please don't, try to frind another person, I know it is really hard, but today was "just a little accident", and who konws what will happend tomorrow. With all the bad babysitters that you see in the news wy take a chance?. Did you know that she will have other children over?. Good luck. You are NOT overrreacting!

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.A.

answers from Tampa on

Maybe she lied, maybe she didn't. At the end of the day, these are your babies. If your gut is telling you something is wrong, then something is probably wrong. Even if that something has nothing to do with your baby's booboo. Trust your instincts. Mamas do know best.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Tampa on

I would feel the same as you. It sounds like she had time to come up with a story after you talked to her the first time. Personally, I'd go with my instincts. I really believe we have a God given gift when it comes to instincts. So I'd go with them. L.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Sarasota on

Again, it is never advisable to leave your children with anyone who can not figure out how to effectively and appropriately communicate with you regarding fingernails.
---intensely red flags. Best wishes, M.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.

answers from Tampa on

I had the same thoughts as Shawn did. I would not call this lying. She didn't know but found out. There is a difference. If she was covering something up then she didn't have to call you and tell you (that is lying). She did take the time to find out what happened. I know things happen to my kids from time to time and I have to figure out what happen to them and they are in my care all the time. Things happen, kids do stupid things, accidents happen. If it were me I would keep them there a little longer to see how it goes. It is very hard to find a good babysitter and it would be awful if you are passing one up and you have been satisfied so far. Your kids will give you the signs if things aren't right. Not happy going there, screaming and throwing a fit, change in temperament/personality. It's pretty easy to spot. If you want to give it a try you could always do surprise visits to see what kind of care she is giving your girls. I say don't panic just yet, your emotions are still running high from having to put them in the care of another person and your are feeling really protective right now (rightly so). If your gut says move them and you can't stand to go through the day, then move them. You have to be at peace with your self. However you will probably feel the same way again if something happens at the next sitter's house. I feel so bad for you as it's so hard to have someone else taking care of your babies. GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Tampa on

I'm very sorry this happened to you!! Playing the devil's advocate, it is possible that the child may not have cried. Some children will "over react" when something happens in front of / with a parent more so than when it happens with some one else. Some children are the opposite. I would not call her a liar. Symantics, though, because if nothing else, she was neglectful for allowing ANYONE to cut the nails of a child in her care. I would not even allow my niece (regardless of age!!) to cut MY nails....

I am a licensed home day care. You do have options without putting your babies in a center. check out www.myflorida.com/childcare or go to this site and you can see home daycare and center's past inspections by the license board: http://199.250.30.131/childcare/provider/providersearch.aspx

Call me anytime... I'd be happy to help you find a licensed care giver.

M.
###-###-####

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Sarasota on

I'm glad you made the decision not to take them back. I agree with you, she lied! If there was blood on the blanket and her pants, then she would have noticed it. She might not have realized exactly what happened, but she would have noticed. My son went to a home daycare for the first 2 years of his life. I loved it at the time, but since I moved him into a school setting, I am going to be taking my second child there, not the home daycare. I see the babies at the school I am at and they get more attention because they are two teachers instead of one home person. This is just my experience. I you find a wonderful home daycare, I'm sure you will love that too. I wish you luck, it is the hardest thing to do!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Tampa on

ok,my name is T. and i am so glad i am done with the baby sitters of a child that can not speech for themselves.you are their only defence and if you don't feel comfortable with her,you will not be able to live with yourself,if anything really bad happened cause you have a chance to change the outcome now.,but in saying that.this was miner,but illegall,they are not allowed to do anything like that to a child in a daycare.you can sue her for it.she could have cut another child fingernails that had(god forbid)a decease and passed it to your child,through the blood.i think i would be a little more than upset.they say that most of us have good instinks but we refuse to listen to our animal nature and yes we are just animals in the end,just smarter than most.a mother has something happen to her when she has childeren.our instinks are hightened and when it comes to our littls babies we become a little over protective,do you think maybe there is a reason god made us that way.they can not protect themselves and depend on us to do it for them,so in my openion if you feel there is something not quite right then maybe you better listen.cause maybe there is just something just mot quite right.i had a child in a day care but becouse i couldnt afford to take him anywhere else they had me and i could never prove anything and when he came home oneday with an adult handprint on his chest i had my out right proof and my child never went back,almost lost my job over him not being in daycare but he was worth it,the job wasnt..i can always get another job,but i can never replace him,he is a one of a kind..and so are yours.so figure it out and make a choice,it is your child and no one can make that chioce for you..sorry to be so honest and blunt,but there is never no time you should be shy when it comes to your child,your hart...let me know how things turn out....your friend T.....

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Naples on

I say, better to go with your gut. Daycares are better, not really, but atleast you know what to expect. Fact is, things will happen, even with us. But what does your gut say? If you feel strange then start looking for an alternative. Nothing is worse than worrying all day while you are away. PS Don't be ashamed to ask for a background check of the sitter. Good ones, expect that and usually will hand over their drivers license. Try a service or even a private sitter that will come to your place rather than driopping them off. Best Wishes...been there a couple of times!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Tampa on

I can tell you from experience that if you feel uncomfortable with the babysitter then you need to find a new one. If she covered up a lie or not, you should ALWAYS go with your instincts. If you haven’t talked to her about it in person I think you should, you can see how she reacts and her body language. From that you can see if she’s telling the truth or not. Its hard to leave your kids and its also hard to find a good babysitter. I hope things work out for you and your family.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Sarasota on

I too am glad that you are not taking your children back to this sitter. She was responsible for your children and if anyone was cutting finger nails, it should have been her and since that is normally something a parent would do, frankly she should have asked permission first.

In addition, she was the person in charge of their care and should not be relying on a another person to look after these children. Obviously she had no idea what was going on in the house.

Mom knows best and you are correct to feel uncomfortable.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Tampa on

Personally I dont see how the babysitter lied to you. She didnt have to call you back once she did find out what happened. We all cant be there for our kids 24 hours a day and accidents do happen. I have cut my own sons nails who is only 3 years old now (and toe nails) to short where he bled as well and not a peep from him when it happened. I didnt even know I cut them to short until I saw the blood. I think if the babysitter was trying to cover something up she wouldnt have even called you to let you know what she found out. There would be no reason for her to cover anything up. She could have just left it at she didnt know what happened and been done with it but she didnt. She took the time for find out from other people and called you back with what she thought might have happened. Good luck to you in whatever your choice is but personally i would still take my son back to her if it happened to me.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.T.

answers from Tampa on

You should actually check into a licensed home daycare. There are STRICT rules about leaving children alone and the infant would be taken with the provider to the bathroom and NEVER left alone with another child

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Tampa on

I am a child care giver also. I watch children off of Rock Crusher Road. Call me with your questions, but have a little advice. No one person is perfect. It sounds like something stupid happened while she was out of the room. I know for a fact that those things happen (not making excuses) I would not of EVER let someone in my family clip your children's nails, but the point is, from what you wrote, the sitter probably genuinely did not know, and later she was probably upset by your phone call and did a little investigating after everyone went home. It is respectable that she called you back, because believe me, scratches and things happen. I would talk to her about a better system with leaving the kids alone in the room, almost impossible to do, yet how old was the neice? Tell her to talk to the niece about not doing things that only parents generally do (clipping nails) and I am sure, the baby may scream like you pulled her nails out at home when you did it, but she may not of heard crying, but sometimes when you are in potty, when you get back to the room and check all out, it is usually nothing. Don't mistrust your sitter, if your kids are happy there. If boo boos keep happening I would call it kind of stupidity, and just choose someone else. Always give the benefit of the doubt, but use common sense. If you have any questions, or need a new sitter, I have several references, and will do my best. Always put your kids first and be comfortable with who you choose to put your kids with eight hours a day! Remember they are very impressionable and are in those delicate years. Make sure you choose someone who (mostly) does things the way you do. Plus, I have sweet kids/parents and have actually turned families down because of their obvious behavior (the parents) and the children's behavior. I have to have people come into my house and interact with my family also, so I am very careful who I subject my family to also. I don't want someone's unruly child teaching the children I already care for to be picking up on that bad behavior. I know some of it is expected, kids do stuff, but I am just saying to make sure that all is adding up, and keep yourself in check. If that stupid stuff happens a lot, tell her ok, and just quietly look for a new sitter. Sorry so long, hope this helps, C. ###-###-####

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches