Name: Carolyn
Problem:We have been unhappy with our sitter from time to time. Our most recent problem and this has happened before is regarding contagious illnesses. Our older child came in contact with chicken pox without our knowing it. We told the sitter immediately that she had been exposed and she was so upset. She demanded that we pay for her daughter's dance lessons that she was unable to attend and the sitter hasn't talked to me in three days. I drop off the girl and she leaves the room until I leave. When I try to phone her she won't take my calls or says she must leave right away. I know that communication is the best way to deal with this but I can't get through to her. My husband says to find another sitter but the girls like her and we'd be looking at selecting from a group of strangers. We have let it go in the past,but I'm not sure if I want to ignore this again.
Solution submitted by Jan from Springfield, MO: I sympathize with your children and you. Go with your "gut instinct," however. The long term effects of your children learning to act as their sitter has may make life more complicated as they become teenagers.
Another solution submitted by Tess from Vancouver, BC, CAN: I too had some 'uncomfortable' situations with my babysitter but wrote them off as 1st time parent paranoia or misunderstandings. After all, my daughter was attached to hers and I didn't want to upset the routine we had. The last straw came when I arrived to pick up my daughter and she was standing at the door crying, wearing only a pull-up diaper, her boots and coat. (I always send spare clothes in case of an 'accident' as both our girls are potty training.)
When I asked what was going on she ranted at how she was going to spend all night mopping up because my girl had 'pissed' on her floor and the other kids had run through it in their socks. This I NEVER expected! She's been doing daycare with toddlers for years. Needless to say, my daughter has never been back. I thank God I had already been looking for another daycare. She is now with a wonderful woman who is helping us 'undo' some serious trauma and behaviour problems that followed this incident. PLEASE start looking NOW for someone else to watch your precious child. Don't let something worse happen because you are afraid to stand up for her. She can't.
Another solution submitted by Roundbelly from Danville, IN:I have worked with children most of my life. Anyone who is a caregiver of children knows the risk of transmissions of germs, etc... from one person to another. You are dealing with an immature person who only thinks of herself and what can you do for me. I'm sure your babies really like your sitter but they will love someone else too!! Parents are not always told their children have been exposed to things. Sometimes the other parents feel funny about letting people know their children are sick.
Another solution submitted by Sandie7 from Elkmont, AL: I am not sure if I have a solution to your problem but I would be very concerned about leaving my children with this person. It seems as though you are dealing with a very immature person. As a babysitter of 4, I know how it is sometimes difficult to truly love someone else's child, especially when you have unresolved feelings toward the parents. I would definitely question my children to find out if they are being treated fairly, because you definitely are not!
Please submit your any more solutions.