Our sitter is fine…which is fine right?

[Anonymous]

We have a unique situation (not uncommon in healthcare but still) where we only need childcare two days a week but not the same two days. I work three 12s and Im senior enough one will always be on Sunday. So that leaves two weekdays. I have two older kids in elementary who use after care on those days. My two year old has a sitter who comes over somedays or we drop off to her house. Im ok with either arrangement, that’s not the issue. She is just a little underwhelming. Tv is on a lot, lots of sitting on the couch, typically calls off just enough where its semi annoying but not fireable. I do find myself a little jealous of other people who seem to have really energetic fun sitters but I also know quite a few friends who have had so many childcare issues I am afraid to rock the boat. The main things are totally fine, child is safe and fed and she genuinely likes DC and is a good person. But we will have fantastic weather days they don't do anything outside etc. Since I know it will be asked we pay her 140 dollars a day and she typically has DC about 6.5 hours or a little less. (First 2 /2.5 hours of my shift DC is still sleeping and DH gets kids ready). She also lives in our development so I know convenience can mean quite a bit. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

It would be so hard to find someone else so flexible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be so hard to find someone else so flexible.

+1 Maybe if you want her to get out more you could ask if she'd take her to a music/gym/swim/whatever class that you would pay for.

[Anonymous]

For $20 an hour you can’t expect much.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I misunderstanding you, but it doesn’t matter if you’re two years old is sleeping Sleeping the first two hours because your sitter needs to be at your house.

Your schedule is so challenging that I think you are going to have to be very flexible with what “fine” is. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I misunderstanding you, but it doesn’t matter if you’re two years old is sleeping Sleeping the first two hours because your sitter needs to be at your house.

Your schedule is so challenging that I think you are going to have to be very flexible with what “fine” is. Sorry.

Sorry I wanted clear. No my husband gets our kids ready! Either sitter comes over around 830 or DC goes to her house at the same time. My mom picks DC by 2:10 every day I work. I agree the flexibility outweighs her okness! Thats the reality check I needed

[Anonymous]

I also think I’d live with “fine.” I also have a babysitter afterschool that my kids don’t rave about (“she’s boring”), but she’s flexible and works the random hours I need, is nice and dependable. It’s fine.

[Anonymous]

It's absolutely fine. If sitter and child love each other, it's better than fine.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I actually think ok is better than exceptional--it's good for kids to have to entertain themselves sometimes, have to at least help clean up after themselves, etc.

I would be ok with this, especially since it's not full time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I misunderstanding you, but it doesn’t matter if you’re two years old is sleeping Sleeping the first two hours because your sitter needs to be at your house.

Your schedule is so challenging that I think you are going to have to be very flexible with what “fine” is. Sorry.

Sorry I wanted clear. No my husband gets our kids ready! Either sitter comes over around 830 or DC goes to her house at the same time. My mom picks DC by 2:10 every day I work. I agree the flexibility outweighs her okness! Thats the reality check I needed

Thanks for clearing that up. Don’t feel guilty or jealous. Your child has a safe and stable place where she can be while you’re at work and that’s what matters.

[Anonymous]

It is two days a week. It's fine. You'd have a really hard time finding anyone else to do it unless you paid WAY more. I mean she can't really take on another job. And it sounds like she doesn't want one, but you typically need to pay a premium for this kind of arrangement. But for two days a week, I would not care if the TV was on and they didn't go out and do fun stuff. You can do that with the toddler the other 3 days and you or DH can on weekends.

[Anonymous]

Are you taking DC out on the other five days/doing more? Then it's completely fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you taking DC out on the other five days/doing more? Then it's completely fine.

+1 I wouldn’t worry about your 2yo having a relatively low key 6 hours twice a week. If it’s working well for you the parents, stick with it.

[Anonymous]

Don't change, it's fine. Consider preschool

[Anonymous]

I’d be annoyed if they never went outside but PPs are right that it’s so few hours per week.
I work 12s too and need childcare 2 days of one week then 3 days the next week. Rotating days.
Our first sitter was a family friend who was a bit like a Grandma situation, she let DD fall asleep on her while she was watching soap operas lol… drove me bonkers but I knew she loved DD so let it go.