Comments on: Babysitting: The Pros And Cons Of Relying On A Family Member

By: Jenx

Jenx — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:01:32 +0000

In reply to ckeo. Nothing against daycare but I prefer someone who is focused on my kid. I’m not too crazy about asking help from my mom as well but I’d rather hire a sitter whom I’ve screened, interviewed, and run a background check on.

By: ckeo

ckeo — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 02:14:34 +0000

I think another thing that this article doesn’t explicitly mention that is still very important to consider, is the types of activities that the relative will provide versus a professional daycare. Good daycares offer a range of activities, events, and even curriculum that is developmentally appropriate. They’ll do arts and crafts, music lessons, reading, outdoor time, imaginative play, dress up days, etc. How many of your relatives have both the experience and will to provide consistent age-appropriate stimulation?

Of course everyone has to determine what they value and get on the same page as the relative doing the care, and I am sure that some arrangements work out wonderfully for everyone, but I am relieved that my husband and I can afford good quality daycare because I don’t want to burden my family and I think my son is better off with professionals anyway.

For example, we have asked my mom to provide some emergency care when our schedules didn’t align with the daycare’s, and my son will inevitably end up in front of the TV or some sort of screen. Her idea of a field trip is taking him to the movies (more screen time!) or to the toy store or to McDonald’s. This is fine once in a while, but I would never want this for a childcare situation and sometimes it is best to just let grandma be the “fun one.” Let’s just say that when she said she wished she could “help out more so he wouldn’t have to go to daycare” I was quick to respond with, “don’t you worry, mom.”

By: Josie Tanner

Josie Tanner — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 01:57:03 +0000

There are some moms who really rely on their family members and I think that’s okay. What’s not acceptable is that some moms actually rely on their friends to watch their kids. We have one mom in our group who always leaves her kid with us. Each time we schedule a play date, she drops her kid off and leaves. The most irritating part is that she picks up her kid late all the time. So we’re obligated to watch her son and it’s really irritating.

By: elaine

elaine — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 01:16:04 +0000

My folks live ten minutes away from us. My sister,who is also married, lives pretty near us as well. That doesn’t mean that I rely on any of them for childcare. No way! I still hire a babysitter. My kids are my responsibility. I won’t ask anyone to watch them for free. It just doesn’t work that way for me.

By: C.P.

C.P. — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:59:26 +0000

I strongly believe that grandparents should never be burdened to watch the kids. Even if they offer to babysit, it’s just not right to rely on them. At their age, they should be relaxing and having the time of their lives. Why burden them? Seriously, Sittercity is a much better option for childcare.

By: S. Huey

S. Huey — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 12:29:25 +0000

I used to ask my mom to come over and watch my kids until we had some kind of fallout. She was kind of bossing me around already. My kids were listening more to her than to me and that bothered me a lot. I think the hardest part about relying on a family member is the familiarity. At some point, I just couldn’t draw the line and that really strained my relationship with my mom.