The challenge with babysitters and our kids

MaryPoppins

We tried a new babysitter this weekend. I was having a garage sale Saturday morning, and we needed an extra pair of hands around to help with Max. So the daughter of one of our regular babysitters came by. She’s 25, and works at a daycare. She charged us more than we pay her mom because, she says, she’s “qualified.”

I don’t know what that means, but I do know that she spent most of the time trailing after Max as he pushed a ride-on car up and down our street. Left to his own devices, Max can literally do that for hours. He gets caught up in routines, and needs to be reminded that there are other ways to play and have a good time. He may whine when you tear him away from that car, but if you can distract him he’ll try other stuff. But she didn’t even try.

It bothers me when babysitters are passive. I mean, of course, you want someone who can handle the basics, like making sure your child gets fed and keeps him safe. But Max definitely needs the extra encouragement when it comes to playtime, an issue we’ve had over the years with some caregivers. He needs some creativity. He needs Mary Special Needs Poppins.

I’m not sure whether it’s a lazy thing or an I’ll-let-this-child-do-what-makes-him-happy thing. Maybe both? I didn’t say something on this occasion but if we use her again, I will.

Have any of you run into the same issue with babysitters or caregivers?

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