What to Think About This?

[cheerfuldom]

talking to a potential new mom. She says her current daycare has a 4 to 1 ratio in the infant room and she feels her well behaved baby is being put down all day while the provider is busy with the others. I explained that the ratio is common and legal for our state for infant rooms and further, licensed home daycares may have less babies (2 under 2 years old) but the max is much higher at 10 or 12 kids total. She can go with an legally unlicensed provider (like me) and the ratio is supposed to be 4 or fewer children of any age not counting the providers children. So my ratio for her would be 5 to 1 (my youngest is still at home) but I only care for one child under 12 months at a time, my own personal rule. I explained to her that if she wanted a ratio LESS than 4 to 1, she needed to explore SAHM or nanny options.

After explaining all of this, if she wants to interview, should I waste the time doing so? Sounds like your typical mom. wanting nanny care for daycare wages. I just get so tired of talking to moms like this. She is looking for more interaction for her child.....from the adult I guess. What is it that parents expect us to be doing by way of interaction? Her child is 5 months and non mobile so I guess she means holding the child? If her statement about having a well behaved child is true, then I would do the same thing as the center. Feed, change, nap a baby and then put them down, don't bother a baby that is happy on the floor playing. Of course, this whole story could be a lie too.

[Josiegirl]

Every new mom wants her child to be loved and feel loved. And to them that means being held, cooed to, played with, sang to, rocked, etc., all the things she'd be doing if she were home. But we know babies need to learn a lot of skills, physical and emotional. My kids as babies never wanted tummy time so I'd pick them up cause they'd fuss. Well, now I know there's nothing wrong with letting them cry as they wiggle and squirm. It's just what babies do and it's part of how they learn about their world plus develop important muscle groups.
New moms have a lot to learn. It's her choice as to what kind of care she wants but if you're up for a baby, give it a try. Another thought is, with the older kids present too, babies always have interaction.

[Shell]

Oh, I know exactly this type of mom, and frankly, I am tired of them as well. I understand that every parent wants the best for their baby, but group care is a juggling act. I wish I could only take one under 12 months, but around here, infant care is the way to go. I recently accepted and then turned away a mom like this one- she wanted to know what curriculum I was using for infants, for me to make sure her baby was always held during a feeding (even after the child could hold his own bottle), she wanted all this special, and for cheap, too. I guess I would interview in person to see what kind of vibe you get, she could be a good dcm-maybe her baby really is ignored at the current place, though I doubt it. Good luck!

[Crazy8]

I would interview. You laid it on the line - she's not getting a personal nanny. Show that you understand what she's looking for and explain how your type of environment is the best fit if she can not stay home or afford a one to one nanny. Then she can decide. We were all first time mom's once, they just need to know their child will be well cared for and to learn that maybe their expectations are a little out of whack with reality sometimes too, LOL!

[MarinaVanessa]

I would interview too and further explain that it's important to not only establish positive relationships with infants and babies but also to allow them freedom for movement to develop their gross motor skills. Let her know that you won't spend all of the day holding her baby and that the baby will also not be subjected to being restrained in a highchair, bouncy, swing, or other restraining device. That you have a balance of free movement and physical contact ... let her know that this balance is important because it focuses on development of the whole child (physical, cognitive, emotional, health etc.) and fosters confidence, ability, independence and curiosity early on in life.

[DaisyMamma]

Run!

That baby is held constantly at home and will. be. spoiled. Spoiled. Spoiled.
And mom will nit pick.