Am I being unreasonable? (More of an explanation at bottom)

I want anyone who babysits to know CPR. DH says it's not possible. I was certified in infant/child/adult CPR for 16 years and just since let it expire. I still plan on taking a class with DH. Then I said to DH 'But what about your sister? She wants to babysit!' He said I can't expect her to take a class.
So then I said 'But we wouldn't hire a babysitter if they didn't know CPR.' He said 'then you'll never leave the baby with anybody'.

Am I expecting too much? Or do I just come from a different background that CPR is a given? I've covered way too many stories with my years in the news about a child that choked and died. I've heard those 911 calls from parents that didn't know what to do to help their child. Am I overly sensitive because of this?

Please give me your opinions.

Message edited 6/8/2007 9:30:17 AM.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I understand your concern. I believe all people in schools, daycare, etc.. should have CPR.

Should your SIL be certified? That would be good but that may be hard to "enforce".

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I understand the SIL thing (although I'm not happy about it). I'm wondering about hiring a babysitter without it. DH thinks it's impossible to find one that's certified.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I'll be honest, I was never certified when I was growing up and babysat. I understand your concern and agree with you, but you can't expect people to pay for or sit through a course so they can babysit. Then again, it is your child, so I suppose you COULD expect them to, too.

I am no help, sorry....

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

It's not unreasonable if that's what you want for your child. You could offer to pay for the class if you find someone who you love but they're not certified

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I don't think it's unreasonable, I just think realistically, it might take you awhile to find someone. I can't imagine the average neighborhood teenager (assuming you go through route) would be certified in CPR.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I don't think your being unreasonable, its how you feel ... but the downside to that is not being able to leave the baby with anyone who doesn't know how to administer CPR ... and you can't force anyone to learn.

If my sister said to me that she won't leave the baby with anyone that doesn't know it, I'd probably take the class, for her, and because it can benefit myself as well...but thats just me!

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Are you talking about requiring someone who is watching your baby full time (like when you are working) to be certified in CPR and first aid? Because no, I do not think thats unreasonable at all. In fact, before hiring a nanny (even if its a family member) you SHOULD require them to take infant CPR and first aid (and offer to pay for the class for them).

If however you are talking about anyone who may come to watch your baby for a few hours while you go to the doctor, or to the movies or to dinner with DH, then yes, I do think its unreasonable to expect every potential babysitter (grandmother, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, neighbors, etc etc) to be CPR certified. You never know when you will need to run out for something while the baby is sleeping, and you may need to call a friend or neighbor to come over for 30 minutes or so. You really limit yourself in who you can call on to help you out in a jam if you require everyone who comes into contact with your baby to have the certification.


Finding someone... ANYONE who you trust enough to leave with your baby is difficult.

Message edited 6/8/2007 8:04:41 AM.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Posted by Mommytimesthree

Are you talking about requiring someone who is watching your baby full time (like when you are working) to be certified in CPR and first aid? Because no, I do not think thats unreasonable at all. In fact, before hiring a nanny (even if its a family member) you SHOULD require them to take infant CPR and first aid (and offer to pay for the class for them).

If however you are talking about anyone who may come to watch your baby for a few hours while you go to the doctor, or to the movies or to dinner with DH, then yes, I do think its unreasonable to expect every potential babysitter (grandmother, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, neighbors, etc etc) to be CPR certified. You never know when you will need to run out for something while the baby is sleeping, and you may need to call a friend or neighbor to come over for 30 minutes or so. You really limit yourself in who you can call on to help you out in a jam if you require everyone who comes into contact with your baby to have the certification.


Finding someone... ANYONE who you trust enough to leave with your baby is difficult.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I think its fine, your choice, your baby. I would maybe approach it like this"would you like to take CPR with me"? Im sure she wont mind if you go about it the right way. Explain to her how you feel. I once had to do the hemlick on a child...

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I completely understand why you feel that way. I think it's a great idea to have everyone certified but unfortunately, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. Getting everyone to go for the class with people's schedules, etc. may not be so easy.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

For someone you hire, that should be a requirement. For a family member, you can't really force them to do that.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

I don't think you are being unreasonable but I can kind of see your DH's point on expecting everyone who may watch your child on a whim to take a CPR class. I think it's vitally important for parents, grandparents and anyone else you KNOW for a fact will be watching your child to know CPR and of course the daycare/nanny you choose to know it as well. For me personally, the only people who will be watching our son is family and close friends, all of whom know CPR. I'm sorry I'm not much help!

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

You aren't being unreasonable, but family members will likely feel offended if you require them to take a class before they can watch your little one, especially if they have children of their own. I know my MIL felt "attacked" when the mom of the kids she watches now asked her to take an INFANT CPR class...after all, she raised 4 kids of her own and over the last 30 years has taken care of about 20 other kids as well.

Maybe you could pay for it? Get all the women in the family together and take it together??? Might be $$$, but it might be a neat way to bond over your baby as well?

There's nothing wrong with having standards for care. This is like requiring an advanced degree for a job...in order to be a caregiver, you are requiring advanced knowledge in a life-saving technique. You sound like a concerned parent, not an unreasonable one.

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Re: Am I being unreasonable?

Thanks ladies!!!!

Like a new mom, I am nervous. But since we don't have friends or family in the area, I get very nervous. Sometimes I feel alone in this and it scares me.

Re: Am I being unreasonable? (More of an explanation at bottom)

Message edited 6/8/2007 9:58:00 AM.