| Posted By |
Message |
Tfor3
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 291 total posts
Name:
|
Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
My in laws watch DS one day a week while I work. DS is 18 months old. Every morning I drop him off, FIL has been putting him in an exersaucer-like thing (it looks like a little car, but its really the same thing as an exersauer with that seat). Supposedly they keep him in that just while he watches Sesame Street so FIL can eat breakfast, then they put up the gates let him out. I don't understand while they can't put the gates up earlier and just let him sit and watch TV, but for some crazy reason the gates don't go up until after breakfast and therefore they put DS in this exersaucer thing. I don't like it because I feel DS is WAY too old for it. He looks ridiculous in it and it looks uncomfortable. Plus, it keeps his eyes glued to the TV which I don't like. And who knows how long he is really in it.
So last week I made a subtle comment about DS being too big for it. FIL agreed but still put him in it. Then this week I said something again, FIL still put him in it. DS started to cry (just for a second). I then said I think he's uncomfortable in the car. FIL looked annoyed and said he's fine. Am I right for saying something?
I've told DH to say something, but he never drops DS off and I know he will not just bring it up on his own, so its up to me. How would you handle this situation? Since I made a slightly bigger deal out of it this week, maybe they won't keep doing it but I don't know. I know I'm lucky to be getting free child care and I shouldn't complain, but this just seems wrong to me. Any advice would be appreciated.
|
Posted 6/19/07 3:40 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
dawnie
Barb-Never removing this pic!
Member since 11/05 3932 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
I would take it home with you!
18 months is way to old to be in a exersaucer!
|
| Posted 6/19/07 3:42 PM |
| |
|
Tfor3
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 291 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
I wish I could take it - its not mine. Its theirs.
|
| Posted 6/19/07 3:43 PM |
| |
|
ddunne2
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Doreen
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
What if you brought over a small sized kids chair to replace the exersaucer.
|
| Posted 6/19/07 3:45 PM |
| |
|
Tfor3
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 291 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
They put him in it to keep him confined before they put the gates up (to keep him from wondering out of the room while they eat breakfast). I wish they would just put the gate up before they eat, but they are lazy and don't wake up until a few minutes before I get there I guess.
|
| Posted 6/19/07 3:51 PM |
| |
|
Tfor3
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 291 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
Anyone else? Is this really not a big deal and I'm just overreacting?? You can tell me - I won't be offended!
|
| Posted 6/19/07 7:40 PM |
| |
|
MsG
Should be working
Member since 5/05 2824 total posts
Name:
G
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
Honestly, I would really push DH to discuss this. You have tried twice, and obviously they are not listening to you. They are his parents, and it is his child too, he should speak up.
Other than that, I think that when family babysits, you are somewhat limited to their way of doing things. You can make suggestions, and hope they follow your rules, but it may not work out that way. Maybe daycare or a nanny would be a better option?
|
| Posted 6/19/07 7:50 PM |
| |
|
KateDevine
*
Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
Posted by MsG
Honestly, I would really push DH to discuss this. You have tried twice, and obviously they are not listening to you. They are his parents, and it is his child too, he should speak up.
Other than that, I think that when family babysits, you are somewhat limited to their way of doing things. You can make suggestions, and hope they follow your rules, but it may not work out that way. Maybe daycare or a nanny would be a better option?
ITA with this. If you are really concerned then tell DH and have him discuss it with them.
But is it SO bad? Obviously I have never been in this situation since my DS is so young, but this isn't physically hurting him, right? I think that possibily your in laws are creatures of habit and they have a certain routine that worked for them and they are continuing it. I am sure if he was in pain or complaining about it they would take him out, wouldn't they? I am not saying it is the best thing in the world, but sometimes this is the problem with having family watch the kids.
|
| Posted 6/19/07 7:54 PM |
| |
|
Tfor3
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 291 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
Thanks for the advice. I don't think its harming him, he may just be a little uncomfortable in it. And I totally get that I have to make concessions for family watching him. I could start a whole new post on using a nanny or daycare instead of my in laws. I would have to figure out a tactful way to tell them I would rather pay someone to watch my son then leave him with them! (there are other issues as well). Thanks for the advice though!
|
| Posted 6/19/07 8:53 PM |
| |
|
Calla
My girls
Member since 7/05 4303 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Need opinion on in-law situation (child care related)
I think that at 18 months your son would let it be known if he was uncomfortable. 
|
| Posted 6/19/07 9:05 PM |
| |
|
