When the childcare provider has a sick child...

[Anonymous]

I just started a new job and my child is on the wait list for day care. He is two. It will be my second day. I advertised for a reliable childcare provider and offered a generous sum. The sitter has a 5 mo and a 2 yo who knows my son. Well she just told me the baby has a fever but she's fine with me bringing my child over. So now what? Do I just pray my kid doesn't catch whatever her baby has? Or call out on the second day of my new job...

[Anonymous]

You have to make that decision but going forward should look for a younger or older nanny. I put my kids first and suspect most moms would ... this makes for an unreliable childcare provider.

[Anonymous]

I doubt your kid will touch the baby so hopefully your son can avoid it.

[Anonymous]

Ok so now she says her husband wants her to bring the baby to the doctor bc the baby will only nurse and not eat solids. She wants to know if it's ok if my son goes along to the doctor. I can barely handle my son at his own checkups. How will this work?

[Anonymous]

Can you call a babysitting service to watch your child for the day instead?

[Anonymous]

You offered a generous sum and you got a person who has a toddler and infant?!?!

I paid our nanny $15/hr and she provided one on one care for my child.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely try not to call out on my second day of work. Can your DH take off? I would try to find a better childcare provider.

[Anonymous]

Your kid hanging around/touching things in a waiting room filled with sick kids (or through which sick kids have been passing that day) will likely guarantee that something will be caught; this is why many pediatricians have two waiting rooms.

Hire a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok so now she says her husband wants her to bring the baby to the doctor bc the baby will only nurse and not eat solids. She wants to know if it's ok if my son goes along to the doctor. I can barely handle my son at his own checkups. How will this work?

Her 5 mo -- who presumably just started solids and doesn't rely on them for nutrition -- is si k and so will only nurse? Sounds like par for just about every tiny baby illness. The fact that dropping solids is leading to the ped visit -- at the age of FIVE MONTHS -- would seriously make me question her has a childcare provider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok so now she says her husband wants her to bring the baby to the doctor bc the baby will only nurse and not eat solids. She wants to know if it's ok if my son goes along to the doctor. I can barely handle my son at his own checkups. How will this work?

Her 5 mo -- who presumably just started solids and doesn't rely on them for nutrition -- is si k and so will only nurse? Sounds like par for just about every tiny baby illness. The fact that dropping solids is leading to the ped visit -- at the age of FIVE MONTHS -- would seriously make me question her has a childcare provider.

There's also the liability and driving issues. I assume OP knows nothing about her driving record or safety of car. This would be a definite no for me.

[Anonymous]

Lean Out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You offered a generous sum and you got a person who has a toddler and infant?!?!

I paid our nanny $15/hr and she provided one on one care for my child.

This. Doesn't sound right. I agree with short term - have DH take the day off, definitely don't miss your second day of work. And look for a nanny or a reputable daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok so now she says her husband wants her to bring the baby to the doctor bc the baby will only nurse and not eat solids. She wants to know if it's ok if my son goes along to the doctor. I can barely handle my son at his own checkups. How will this work?

Her 5 mo -- who presumably just started solids and doesn't rely on them for nutrition -- is si k and so will only nurse? Sounds like par for just about every tiny baby illness. The fact that dropping solids is leading to the ped visit -- at the age of FIVE MONTHS -- would seriously make me question her has a childcare provider.

That was my first reaction. Get a babysitter. And lose this nanny

[Anonymous]

The baby's father stays home.

[Anonymous]

I agree that being concerned about a 5 month old not eating solids is weird. As for the caregiver, one thing to consider is whether you can still send your child to her when your child is sick. If yes, then you might end up missing some days of work when HER kids are sick but not when yours is, which is the opposite of how most people have to take sick days but could end up working for you in the long run.

However, I think I would seek out someone else unless you really think this is a good fit. It doesn't sound like it is.