Forum Babysitting and daycare

Baby day out

3 replies

sammie123
Hi everyone, I'm new here and want to throw something out there right away. I have a little one who is 8 months old and I'm always home with him. I don't work anymore and have basically never had a babysitter for him. Very rarely he goes to my mom's, but because his dad is sick, that's not very often either. Now, I want to go out for a day with my boyfriend, and his dad with his girlfriend would come to our house to look after the little one. I find it quite hard to leave him with them for a day. They once looked after him when he was about 3 months old; we went out to eat, and during the meal, she called in a panic saying he was crying so much and they couldn't calm him down. I find it really hard to leave him with them now, my son doesn't know them well because he doesn't see them often. The day we need to be away is quite important and not just around the corner. Yesterday, my boyfriend's dad called his dad saying they would rather have our son come to their house that day. My boyfriend agreed without even discussing it with me first. I really don't see this going well and am afraid my son won't like it at all, being with 'strangers' and in an unfamiliar house. He is quite used to routine and often has trouble sleeping somewhere else anyway. What do you all think? Am I being too cautious, and should I just try it, or do you say if your gut feeling isn't good, don't do it? I find it so difficult; I also don't want to offend people...

Replies

  1. Iza #2

    I used to feel this way too, and I still do sometimes. What always helps me is making a list or schedule of how the day should look; what and when he eats, when he needs to sleep, and what they can do to soothe him, etc. This is helpful for you and for whoever is looking after him.

    But it’s only natural that you find it hard to leave your baby behind because they’ll never do it quite as well as you do They always say; different isn’t always wrong. And often it turns out to be less of a problem because you’re already expecting it not to go well. Also, there’s a big difference for a little one between 3 and 8 months, and by 8 months there’s already a much clearer routine, and your baby can also communicate what they want more clearly.

    I’d definitely enjoy your day together and have faith in your parents-in-law that they have the best interests of your little boy at heart.

    Good luck

  2. sammie123 started this #3

    So we've arranged with them that they'll come babysit at our place. I find this really nice for a first time, luckily they understood, and my boyfriend actually likes it much better too. Still, I don't find it easy, but you've got to do the first thing sometime. I'm also applying for jobs, and if I get a job, I'll have to leave him anyway. Pff, never thought it would be this hard to be away for a day. I think it's impressive that some parents work full-time and drop off their kids so much...

  3. Anneke Guest #4

    I remember when we took our son away for the first time, I cried more than he did. It felt awful, but now I’m used to it. It’s good for our son, and a bit good for me too.

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