How do I tell someone I do not want to watch their child anymore?

Question

I quit my job about 6 months ago, to watch children in our home. I have a couple of families and I really enjoy it. However, I have one little boy who recently started coming. He whines all day, and wants to be held all day. He is 2 years old, and I feel that he is too old to be doing this, and he has also been here enough to be used to me and the other children. (I have a degree in early childhood education, this is how I know) I feel bad because his mom is relying on me to watch him, but when he is here the other children complain about him crying, and he stresses me out! It is also a problem, because in a couple of weeks I will have to pick up a child from 1/2 day kindergarten, and the little boys Mom is not comfortable with me taking him in the car. How can I tell her that I do not want to watch him? Also, how much time is appropriate to give her to find another sitter? It would be great to hear from some Moms, or anyone else that was in this situation! Thank you for any suggestions!

Answer 1

I was in the same situation once and found it very difficult to tell the parent of the child. But you just have to be straight and give her 2 weeks to find another sitter, be sure to let her know that after the 2 weeks are up you are quitting whether or not she has found someone, as in my case the parent was hoping I would not give up minding her child and didn't bother finding someone else. It is hard to say no and she may not talk to you again but your own peace of mind is at stake and that's worth anything

Answer 2

I agree 2 weeks notice and explain in detail whats going on so she knows what the problem is and either can fix it or can find a sitter who will only watch her child.

I had the same situation with a 2 year old, I was watching him and then I would go to the Lady's home and watch her older children until they got home from work. While this child was at my home, he cried whined and was just a nasty little booger when I didn't give him all of my attention, I had to say something because it wasn't right for him to be feeling like he was either, and he was fine at his own home, he behaved and was happy.

I didn't tell the mom " I can not handle your child" I told her that he was not happy in my home, he was simply just not having it and I didn't feel it was right for me to keep him in my home when he obviously feels safe and comfortable in his own, she was very happy to hear that I simply did not think he was happy in my home and needed to be watched in her home something I couldn't do.

So maybe that would be an easy way without admitting defeat lol.. Just tell her " Your son is not happy in my home and I don't feel its fair to him or the other children"

Make sure to get your 2 weeks payment in advance I have seen these situations go very sour. So.. Hopefully it works out for you, do not keep him any longer than you want to, its not fair for the other children who you watch that are happy in your home. It will bring the quality of your daycare down.  

Answer 3

I would explain the car thing to her and give her 2 weeks notice.  Also, if she really pushes it, tell her you just don't feel like the care you provide is what is best for him or that you are scaling back on how many children you watch..  Saying he is a whiner and such will just make her angry and cause confrontation possibly.  It's easier to white lie your way out of it and just give her the 2 weeks notice.