How Would You Handle This??

[daycarediva]

I have a dcb in care FT, 3, been here a year, sweet kid, parents were never in a relationship but are now friends & have an awesome relationship while co-parenting dcb. I have a contract with Dad only (for payment) and a copy of their custody agreement. Never ANY problems.

DCM asked me if I would be willing to take her older son just turned 5/in Kindergarten. He has a different father than dcb, and she and Dad have different custody agreement and 50/50 payment. He was cared for by his stepmother at home, but she is returning to work. I have met this little guy, and he seems more undisciplined than my dcb (but that could be just the excitement of seeing dcb/going to the movies so I don't want to judge his behavior too harshly based on one encounter). He will be going to school full-time, and then here before and after.

I told her that I would have to think about it. I would definitely want a copy of their custody agreement, a separate contract with both parties listed but one primary party who is responsible for payment. Anything else you would require? I am a little concerned about the big brother not working out (I am PICKY about SA kids) and then losing other dcb, no parent is ever going to understand a one kid termination. I want to sit them all down (dcm, her fiance, dcd, his wife) and go over all of this very clearly when we interview. She wants an interview tomorrow!

I have the opening bc of terminating another sa dcb, and prefer to take SA kids with a younger sib in care. The time that she needs care is the week after dcb's last day, so the timing will mean I won't miss a beat with kids/payments. Almost too good to be true.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Would I do it? No.

[Willow]

If it's a situation you'd be willing to move forward with I'd go over very plainly what your concerns and expectations are during the interview. Before they officially enroll get them to sign a form stating if this doesn't work this is how this is going to play out detailing the ground rules specifically between the families. Everything needs to be in writing.

Aside from that I think it's quite the complement. They obviously think you're doing a fantastic job with the younger dcb and believe the older one would do just as well in your care.

I'd rather be faced with the what if's of this working out rather than the why's if I found out they didn't want to even ask to bring the older boy to me, kwim?