How do you move on after a close relationship with another family ends?

Question

I'm 19 & have been babysitting for this family for a year. I babysat the little girl every weekend for at least 6 hours & we were very close. I was also very close with the mom, who confided a lot in me & vice versa. We used to go to lunch, go to the park with her little girl, & just hang out & talk. When I babysat I often hung out with the parents afterwards, or if I babysat overnight they had me spend a lazy morning with them.

Over the past year I have grown to really love this family, but 2 months ago they suddenly stopped getting me to babysit. A month ago I asked what happened & the mom said they needed separation between their personal life & their daughter's daycare life (I work at her daycare, but not with her group). I asked if I did something wrong & she reassured me I didn't, but didn't elaborate on their decision.

I miss them & can't move on because I don't know what happened. I've hinted that I would like to know more, but haven't directly asked.

How do I move on?

Answer 1

Personally, I don't think it would be overstepping any boundries if you asked them directly what the problem is.  I do think it is rather cruel of them to not tell you and to leave you hanging without knowing.  

Can you think of anything you may have said or done that could have scared the little girl in any way?  Did you babysit and bring a friend over that may not have been allowed?

From the fact that you spent the night there and went out for coffee with mom, etc, I would almost be inclined to wonder if maybe dad has an issue with you.  Either he is concerned that his wife or daughter may be sharing personal family related problems with you or dad has an interest in you that is just not wholesome and that is why you are suddenly blacklisted.  

I can't see it being a case of the parents thinking that you hurt their daughter in any way because if that was the case I'm sure they would have angrily confronted you and then told the daycare.

I do think you have the right to know.  I do think you should pursue the matter.  Ask the wife out for a coffee to discuss the situation and if she says no, tell her directly that you need a full and truthful answer as to why they cut you off the way they did.  Tell her that their actions hurt and disturbed you and you can't move on without some honesty on their part.

Good luck and take care!