How Long Should 4 Year Old Nap

[Unregistered]

Thanks For Your Suggestion!

Probably the best place to find a willing stay at home mom is through the school your child will attend. Call and ask if they know of any stay at home moms who watch a couple kids. You could also check with your local story time librarian. She'll usually know who the stay at home moms are that bring an extra or two along. We're around, we just don't advertise because someone is always recommending us. ;~)

I cannot believe I did not even think about that. I thought about getting a babysitter, but I only knew friends and family members who all work and mainly take their own kids to centers. I will definitely become a little more nosy about what these mothers are doing - going to the library in the afternoon on a weekday! haha. I may sound like a freak asking "Hello, it appears you are a stay at home mom and you have three kids with you. May I please go into your home and observe for a day so that I can determine if I want to ask you to watch my son, as well?"
I'm sure I can find a better way of finding one of these fabulous people, but I pictured my self totally doing that like a weirdo.
I am still so shocked that I did not think of this. I mean, if I am going to allow a stranger to watch my child, why does she have to own an in-home daycare? I can find a good "babysitter". I was just thinking friends & family when I thought of "babysitter". My mother wasn't licensed to care for children, but she watched my son & my nephew and she was absolutely the best. I would need to find someone who only keeps a couple of kids, and I would need to see what they feed my child, what the home is like, etc. I just have to track one down.
Thanks!!!

[Meyou]

Check with your local elementary schools as well. They often keep a list of moms that babysit in the area and have children attending the school. You might find someone who can continue with afterschool care next year for you.

[Unregistered]

I cannot believe I did not even think about that. I thought about getting a babysitter, but I only knew friends and family members who all work and mainly take their own kids to centers. I will definitely become a little more nosy about what these mothers are doing - going to the library in the afternoon on a weekday! haha. I may sound like a freak asking "Hello, it appears you are a stay at home mom and you have three kids with you. May I please go into your home and observe for a day so that I can determine if I want to ask you to watch my son, as well?"
I'm sure I can find a better way of finding one of these fabulous people, but I pictured my self totally doing that like a weirdo.
I am still so shocked that I did not think of this. I mean, if I am going to allow a stranger to watch my child, why does she have to own an in-home daycare? I can find a good "babysitter". I was just thinking friends & family when I thought of "babysitter". My mother wasn't licensed to care for children, but she watched my son & my nephew and she was absolutely the best. I would need to find someone who only keeps a couple of kids, and I would need to see what they feed my child, what the home is like, etc. I just have to track one down.
Thanks!!!

You're welcome! But, I do have to warn you...asking to come and observe for a day probably won't get you anywhere. We are stay at home moms...we do the things stay at home moms do....laundry, dishes, cooking/baking, gardening, etc. and we would feel really weird having you come to watch that so the day wouldn't look like a normal day anyway. Definitely ask to visit to see what the home and mom are like, but don't be thinking that because we're home all day that it's all neat as a pin...we live in it 24/7 so it may or may not be quite as tidy as your house. Of course, ask about the food and napping, just don't get too high and mighty on us. Don't think you're our boss, because we are not a nanny. Don't go into it thinking it should be any cheaper. It has to be worth our trouble to do it. Check around. You'll find what you're looking for, but have an open mind when you find someone. Good luck on your search!

[Country Kids]

Remember also with a SAHM, they are also doing things for the family also. If they need to go to the store, run errands, do grocery shopping your son will need to go so don't ask that they don't transport. Also, they will probably be very involved with their own childrens lifes so don't be suprised if they want to go on field trips, school parties and things that maybe your son won't be able to do. In that case will you have back-up care?

[Unregistered]

You're welcome! But, I do have to warn you...asking to come and observe for a day probably won't get you anywhere. We are stay at home moms...we do the things stay at home moms do....laundry, dishes, cooking/baking, gardening, etc. and we would feel really weird having you come to watch that so the day wouldn't look like a normal day anyway. Definitely ask to visit to see what the home and mom are like, but don't be thinking that because we're home all day that it's all neat as a pin...we live in it 24/7 so it may or may not be quite as tidy as your house. Of course, ask about the food and napping, just don't get too high and mighty on us. Don't think you're our boss, because we are not a nanny. Don't go into it thinking it should be any cheaper. It has to be worth our trouble to do it. Check around. You'll find what you're looking for, but have an open mind when you find someone. Good luck on your search!

Oh my goodness, I think this summed it up why she has gone from daycare to daycare!

[Michael]

Oh my goodness, I think this summed it up why she has gone from daycare to daycare!

Consider registering on the forum. You won't have to wait for your conversation to be moderated.

[Crystal]

Oh my goodness, I think this summed it up why she has gone from daycare to daycare!

how did this sum it up? I am not sure I understand what you are saying here?

[Unregistered]

Consider registering on the forum. You won't have to wait for your conversation to be moderated.

Thankyou Michael, I am already a member on here.

Just decided to post unregistered for this one!

[momofsix]

I cannot believe I did not even think about that. I thought about getting a babysitter, but I only knew friends and family members who all work and mainly take their own kids to centers. I will definitely become a little more nosy about what these mothers are doing - going to the library in the afternoon on a weekday! haha. I may sound like a freak asking "Hello, it appears you are a stay at home mom and you have three kids with you. May I please go into your home and observe for a day so that I can determine if I want to ask you to watch my son, as well?"
I'm sure I can find a better way of finding one of these fabulous people, but I pictured my self totally doing that like a weirdo.
I am still so shocked that I did not think of this. I mean, if I am going to allow a stranger to watch my child, why does she have to own an in-home daycare? I can find a good "babysitter". I was just thinking friends & family when I thought of "babysitter". My mother wasn't licensed to care for children, but she watched my son & my nephew and she was absolutely the best. I would need to find someone who only keeps a couple of kids, and I would need to see what they feed my child, what the home is like, etc. I just have to track one down.
Thanks!!!

Even though in my state you are not allowed to watch kids w/out a license, there are still plenty of SAHMs that advertise on Craigslist to babysit. You might be able to find someone that way too.

[Unregistered]

Remember also with a SAHM, they are also doing things for the family also. If they need to go to the store, run errands, do grocery shopping your son will need to go so don't ask that they don't transport. Also, they will probably be very involved with their own childrens lifes so don't be suprised if they want to go on field trips, school parties and things that maybe your son won't be able to do. In that case will you have back-up care?

These are definitely things to check on as well. I live in the country so we really don't go anywhere too often, but if I want to go out & about, we do. I have parents sign the same type of transportation waiver that a daycare would. I carry with me all the pertinent information about each child that a daycare would. It's not a bad thing to go to the grocery store. There are a LOT of learning opportunities to be found there, from colors to numbers and letters. I probably wouldn't watch your child if I couldn't get permission to leave the house. If I want to do things with my school kids, I simply have my mom come over just like she would for my own kids. Parents know this up front and within a few days of the child being here, I usually have my mom, who is still a stay at home mom, come over for pickup time so the parents can meet her. Some parents have just taken a day off, some get another family member...it all depends on what they want to do, but I always have a backup for them if they need it.

[Unregistered]

Suggestions on establishing trust with a SAHM as a babysitter?

how did this sum it up? I am not sure I understand what you are saying here?

I think this person thinks it was "summed up" because I think I am the boss & need to realize that I am not. This is true, I need to really think about daycare as a service that I sign up for. I know I am having a hard time viewing it the right way. & I am sorry for that. I just have a hard time paying someone and then dealing with that person when they are not doing the job to my standards. I know that this is not the same thing as hiring an employee. This is very different, but at the same time, there are similarities. It's hard for me to grasp that. I will get over that, just need to think about it as a business owner. I apologize for offending anyone with my wrongful way of labeling the work you do for me.

On another note, this really isn't summed up. I thought it was a GREAT idea to find a SAHM to watch my son. But I would HAVE to ask her what goes on day to day, and she could list all these wonderful things all day long, if she wanted. But I am still asking a stranger to care for my son, I would HAVE to visit her home and watch what goes on with these children, even if only for an hour or so. I cannot believe what she says and drop my kid off the next day. No way. I mean, what if she sits on the couch all day and yells at the kids to shut up because she is trying to hear the TV? What if she says it is OK for my son to have potato chips and chocolate ice cream for lunch? I know nothing like that would go on while I was watching, but I could get idea of who she is and what she does by watching her tone and how she interacts with the kids. I wouldn't mind if she folded laundry and let the kids help, or watered the plants, or turned on a good TV show for them for a little bit. I understand that a child does not have to be sitting at a table reciting ABC's and 123's and doing the standard "curriculum"-based activities in order to learn. My mother watched my son for quite a long time, he learned so much spending his days with her. She did not do anything special, she took him to the park, showed him how to tie his shoelaces, my son actually knows how to fold a towel perfectly, . He can say his ABC's and count to 19. (He gets mixed up after that and goes back to 12). I actually wouldn't mind if the SAHM drove my son around, as long as they didn't take a full 8 hour road trip each day, & there were logical reasons to drive him, that is fine. I just need to know I can trust this person first. How can I do that if it is too weird for me to watch for a little while? I need to make a good call on this person and evaluate them the best I can before I allow my child to spend a great, big chunk of his life at this home? Can I get some suggestions here? (I also just registered but I am not sure if I should sign in because I do not want to get attacked and remembered as a horribly difficult parent that daycare providers hate, and I am not sure if I will be using this forum regularly. I don't typically have this many daycare issues. The whole nap thing with a recent provider really irked me. I went searching online for other nap policies pertaining to four year olds, and I came across this).

[Cat Herder]

It's hard for me to grasp that. I will get over that, just need to think about it as a business owner. I apologize for offending anyone with my wrongful way of labeling the work you do for me.

Can I get some suggestions here? (I also just registered but I am not sure if I should sign in because I do not want to get attacked and remembered as a horribly difficult parent that daycare providers hate, and I am not sure if I will be using this forum regularly. I don't typically have this many daycare issues. The whole nap thing with a recent provider really irked me. I went searching online for other nap policies pertaining to four year olds, and I came across this).

You have the same right to vent your frustrations here as anyone else. Stick around, we ALL have something to learn from each other.

And for the record, I was the worlds most horribly demanding parent :::: . That is why I opened my own daycare.

[Unregistered]

Should Probably Start A New Thread

I posted the last reply on this thread. I am thinking I should probably start a new thread asking for suggestions on how to establish trust if I choose a SAHM as a provider. What category should this be in? The Parent and Guardians category? I think I will start there.

[Cat Herder]

I posted the last reply on this thread. I am thinking I should probably start a new thread asking for suggestions on how to establish trust if I choose a SAHM as a provider. What category should this be in? The Parent and Guardians category? I think I will start there.

If you want the providers to tell you to absolute truth, no PR, then I'd recommend the providers section. Many Family Home Providers started out that way.

[HeatherJ]

Ok, I will post it there.
Thanks!