Taking care of another kid?

[Michele]

Does anyone here take care of another kid as a WAH job?

I am thinking about doing this and have been talking to a woman who is interested in me watching her daughter 2-3 days a week while she works. I want to do it, and we definitely could use the extra money, but I am concerned how Jackson will react, and how much it will really change our lives.

The little girl I would be watching is 14 months (Jackson is 18 months). She was recently adopted from Kazakhstan, so she does have some issues with adjusting to life in the US, and has some slight delays.

Does anyone have any experiences, tips, questions I should ask the mother (I am meeting with her tomorrow to discuss things further) they'd like to share?

[Karri]

I don't do it, but one of my friends does (and she has 2 of her own...a 11 month & a 22 month). When she agreed to do it, she made sure that the parent had absolutely no problems with her taking the child out to some of our MOMS Club outings. So that means the mom had to be ok w/ her taking the child in the car, as well as have faith in the mom with watching the child in public places (like the indoor play area, etc etc). She said that her oldest adapted to it pretty well, but that she thinks its because she didnt let it disturb their daily doings too much, KWIM?

[asta]

My best friend just started doing this. Her daughter is 7 months old and the boy she is now watching is 5 months old. The mother of the boy is a wahm, and originally she wanted my friend to watch the boy at the wahm's house all day, and my friend wouldn't agree to that. They compromised, so the morning is spent with the two babies at my friend's house and the afternoon is at the wahm's house. Like Karri mentioned, this was primarily an issue because my friend didn't want her own daughter's schedule turned completely upside down just because another kid would be around. It seems to be working out pretty well for them so far with this set-up--she seems to be enjoying it. She is borrowing a double stroller so she can take them on walks together. For her, it is only temporary until some time in June because then the wahm will be getting a live-in nanny. HTH!

[magoo]

I care for a little guy 3 days a week. He's 7 months younger than Anna and we started about 14 months ago. I think it's really good for Anna to have someone else around, but I do try to be respectful of her and her "things" as well. For instance, she had just gotten a big schoolbus tent for Christmas and didn't want D to play with it. Since it was hers and brand new, I said that she could either share with him, or we'd put it away and play with it later.

Going out in the car isn't an issue for us, but I do take them both to the playgym program at the community center across the street.

We don't have a written contract, but it's a good idea. You've got to figure out how you'll deal with payment on missed days. My sister had a contract with her "clients" so that if my sister cancelled, she wasn't paid for the day. If the clients chose not to send their child on a scheduled day (due to illness, a family memeber watching them, or whatever) then she was still paid for that day.

A couple of logistical things and how we worked them out:
sleeping arrangements: D's parents provided a playpen for him to nap in.

food: At first, they sent his formula, then sent along baby food. As he started eating table foods, they just paid me an extra $10 and I feed him and Anna the same lunches and snacks.

transportation: The car isn't an issue for us, but may be something for you to consider. D's parents purchased a double stroller for us to use.

receipts: You have to decide if you're going to issue receipts. If you do, you'll want to charge more to make up for the hit you'll take on your tax return.

Also, I don't know what your plans are about having more children, but it's something to think about. How much notice would you have to give her to find other care? Something we didn't really think about, but it became an issue. Luckily, D starts daycare on July 4th... I'm due on the 20th. :)

In all, I've been very happy with my decision to care for D. I find that 2-3 days per week is perfect. That way, Anna's got a playmate sometimes, and learns to share and all of those lovely things. At the same time, I still feel that I have enough one on one time for her. I still feel like I'm a SAHM to her... not like I'm running a daycare.

Feel free to ask me any questions, or PM me. :)

[Cortney]

I'm going to be watching my nephew this summer during the day- I think it'll be a little different than watching any other kid because he's related. Plus, I feel like I can take him anywhere and do just about anything. :) Jeffrey is 10 months younger than Morgan and doesn't take naps so we don't have to worry about naps, etc.

[Elisete]

I take care of my niece 2 days a week. To be honest it is much harder than I thought it would be! It is different than taking care of your own child. I can't comfort her like her mom can. I try every thing I can but most days she spends crying. It is very frustrating. I told my SIL that I would do it for a year and then we would talk about if I want to continue. It is also hard on me lugging 3 kids around so I try to do my errands on the days that I don't have her.

She is 6 months old now and it has gotten a little easier. I'm hoping that once she is mobile it will get even better because she'll be able to entertain herself more.

[Gymboreegirl]

This is a great topic, friends of ours asked if I would take care of her to kids this summer for 2 days. It should be fine cause they are the age of my 2 kids....problem is what do I charge her, one is a teen(13) and the other is 6.

[JustJen]

I help a neighbor/friend out when she has to work. It amounts to a couple extra kids for a couple hours a week. Not a big deal. It's just while she is at work until someone else (grandma, dad, aunt) can come pick them up. She doesn't pay me much, but she returns the favor on occasion.

[Chantal]

I run an actual private home daycare. I have a contract and financial agreement that the parents sign - and it is legally binding too.

Unfortunately I wouldnt care for anyone's child without that contract being signed. I have seen/heard of too many people being ripped off or even sued for anything under the sun.

Now the difference between you and I - I have a small business, with more than just 1 child on board. If I were just babysitting/caring for 1 child - I might not be as strict... as long as I didnt have to depend on that income to get the bills paid. JMO.