What do you think of this child care situation for my almost 3 month old son? ?

Question

I am going to be returning to work soon and I have a 3 month old son who I have been looking for care for since I was like 5 months pregnant. My best friends' fathers caretaker has told me today that her step daughter who is Haitan and lives with them would love to come to our house to care of the baby and clean and cook for $150.00 a week. She has her own 5 year old son who still lives in Haiti and her step mother says she is wonderful with children and would be great with our son. I am going to meet her tonight with my husband. After interviewing people to come here and to take him to in home child care centers this seems like the best situation. The caretaker would drop her off and pick her up everyday from my house and she would basically care for my son, clean if needed and cook ( although I didnt request that, she offered).

I always felt weary about having a "stranger" in my house, but my best friend has used this caretaker for her father for 7 years and the caretaker is referring the step daughter ( who is in her twenties by the way)

How would you feel? My husband is going to stay home from work for a few days with the girl if we decide to hire her to see how it goes, but just keep to himself and let her do everything.

Any advice? Good idea, bad idea.

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Answer 1

I think it's a great idea that your husband is going to take a few days off to check things out first. I'd say give it a shot if you feel like you can trust her and get a good vibe from her when you meet her.  

Answer 2

Can anyone say nanny cam? Since you don't know her... I'd be paranoid about leaving my child with anyone except family, so that might not be completely fair. However, better safe than sorry.

I do think it is a good idea for your husband to stay home for a few days, because if there are any obvious signs, you'll be able to say "no way" right away. But.. that sounds like a LOT of work for only $150, but if she is okay with it, why not?

Answer 3

i had almost the same deal when i had my twins but she was a nanny and she isn't a total stranger if you know someone she takes care of or works for, i just don't think its fair you have to go back to work so soon my daughter is almost 13 months and I'm still not back to work I'm looking but Haven gone back yet i also stopped working very early in my pregnancy due to complications.

Answer 4

Give it a try for 2 weeks and see how you feel.  You know your baby and if things are not good you will see a change.  Also the camera is a good idea.  Let her know that it is a two week trial upfront if you decide to go with it.  It is a lot easier to keep your children at home then to send them to a day care especially when they are so little.  I hired someone to come in and take care on my 3 when they were little.  Eventually I did do the day care thing but there was always issues with that for us.  

Answer 5

If you get a good vibe from her it sounds like an excellent arrangement.  

Answer 6

I'd want to know why she is living seperate from her own child. If it is because she can't afford to support them then $150 a week will probably not help her in the long run and she will eventually quit trying to find something.

I've said it many times, but do not take references from close family and friends about their family. She might be trying to find a job for the girl that can't find work elsewhere, which means she won't be a good fit for your situation. If it's cheap, there is a reason for it. I do not get a good feeling from what the scenerio given and think you should try professionally trained caregivers instead of your friends-caretakers-step-daughter. If you decide to give her a go to it on a trial basis, say two weeks. If you find any marks on your child be prepared to send her home. Have nannycams ready because I wouldn't be comfortable leaving my child in this woman's hands.  

Answer 7

"How would you feel?"

Weird about the economics that were forcing her to live apart from her own child in order to take care of my own.

This:

http://www.amazon.com/Global-Woman-Barba...

is an interesting read on that topic, if you're curious.

Answer 8

definitely nanny cam time and ***make sure you review the tapes*** even if it's a pita.