Another assistant topic

[Josiegirl]

I'm going to need an assistant this summer. Last year I used my dd that was home from college and it was great. But honestly, I've always felt uncomfortable with people kinda watching me all day. I have low self-esteem and feel I'm being judged. Most likely, any assistant they pair me up with will have come from a center. So, I guess my question to all of you who use assistants, how do you work that out smoothly? Do you break off into groups, does 1 of you handle all the duties of say, toddlers and babies, while the other person works with the SA? What happens with meal/snack prep? Do you take alternate breaks? Who does the planning of activities or being summer, would you just wing it, including lots and lots of outside play?
See, I know nothing about working with someone else.
Thanks for any help you can offer!

[Annalee]

I'm going to need an assistant this summer. Last year I used my dd that was home from college and it was great. But honestly, I've always felt uncomfortable with people kinda watching me all day. I have low self-esteem and feel I'm being judged. Most likely, any assistant they pair me up with will have come from a center. So, I guess my question to all of you who use assistants, how do you work that out smoothly? Do you break off into groups, does 1 of you handle all the duties of say, toddlers and babies, while the other person works with the SA? What happens with meal/snack prep? Do you take alternate breaks? Who does the planning of activities or being summer, would you just wing it, including lots and lots of outside play?
See, I know nothing about working with someone else.
Thanks for any help you can offer!

I have only worked with my mom and if she ever retired, I would go back to 7 where I could have dc by myself. Through the years, we have used subs usually family members. But I, like you, am leery of subs.....I tell my subs not to make any judgments until you have worked a while because a big part of FCC is "knowing" your kids....We learn whom can play together or cannot, we know who needs to be a pocket-buddy, etc... Since I do more of a contracted hour program, I now plan mine and my assistant's appointments around days we will only have 7 or are closed.....works great....last year we didn't use a sub at all.... Good luck!