I really need some advice/help

Our babysitter of 10 months quit on us suddenly on Friday. She was with DS five days a week since I went back to work (he was five months old when I went back to work from maternity leave). It worked out so nicely for us because DH and I both work very early morning shifts (I leave my house at 5:45 AM and DH leaves at 5:15 AM). We never had to drag DS out of the house early in the morning, and we were able to keep his routine. Now that the sitter quit (without notice), we are forced to figure out what to do from here. I immediately placed an ad on Care.com and we already found a wonderful sitter: the only catch is, starting Monday, we will have to take DS to her house. My ad on care.com was specific in that I really wanted someone to care for DS in our home. But, the new sitter said that this would work while her DH was not working, but once he goes back things would change. So, we felt it might be better to begin dropping DS to her house. We really like her, and the idea that she will be teaching DS things one-on-one. She will also cook for him (which is something our other sitter NEVER did). I am so confused on what to do: Do I keep my early morning work hours (I like getting home by 4:00 PM) or should I change my hours so that it isn’t so early for DS? I just feel so guilty dragging him out of the house at 5:45 AM. I could change my hours so that it won’t be so early, it’s just that I would then lose time with him in the evenings. I am sorry if I am rambling, I am so new at this and I am looking for some direction from the experts out there Thank you for your help!

I really need some advice/help

How far does the sitter live from you? Would she be willing to come to your home for a few hours just so you dont have to drag him out in the freezing cold so early in the morning?

ps. that was an unprofessional thing the previous sitter did by not giving any notice at all.

Message edited 11/15/2012 7:20:45 AM.

Re: I really need some advice/help

I'm a little confused what her DH not working has to do with being in her house vs. yours?

I would keep looking.. while this sitter seems great, it's important to you for the sitter to be in your home and you like your current hours, both of which don't work out with this sitter. When you make little sacrifices here and there and move further and further away from your idea child care situation you're happiness level starts to go down and things could get miserable.

Re: I really need some advice/help

Re: I really need some advice/help

I really need some advice/help

That's a shame the old sitter left...maybe in the end it will be a blessing in disguise. If she's willing to come to you now since it is so early maybe she would possibly come to you each day and when he wakes take DS back to her house and you could pick him up there later. ??

I really need some advice/help

I know you like her, but she doesn't seem to meet your needs. I would keep looking for another sitter that may be just as good but can meet your requirements. DC would have to be up super early and that is kinda disruptive.

Also, I know this is awful to say, but I wouldnt want DC to get into a routine of waking up that early either.

Re: I really need some advice/help

tough one..if you could go to work a little later, i actually would. i'm only saying this b.c that is super early to get your DS up and out of bed. i used to have to get both of my DC's out of bed to go to daycare when they were little (like 1 and 3) i had to be at work by 8am so they had to be @ daycare by 7:30 which meant getting them up around 7am. for them that was early! it was awful peeling them out of their warm crib and bed- i hated it! so much so, that it is one of the reasons i went with getting my sister to be my "nanny".
i will also say that winter time was the absolute worst getting them out and about in the AM. it is so cold and dark and when the weather is snowy or frigid, ugh forget it.
so i know that is just my experience and opinion but again, i would go with the later time for your DS's sake.
i know you said you like getting home earlier-what time would it be if you went in later? if it's not by much then i would.
good luck, these things are never easy to figure out but you will either way!

Re: I really need some advice/help

Re: I really need some advice/help

I know that taking him out so early is not the right thing to do. I think that we will try the sitter coming to my home, waiting for DS to wake, and then taking him with her to her home. We will see how it goes. These are tough desicions, but I am hoping that we can find a happy routine for DS! Thank you all for your help