Leaving My Baby with a Babysitter While He's Awake

A happy mom who can manage her stress and balance her life to include 'me time' is the best type of mom out there.

Do it! You'll be a much healthier person and your child will benefit in so many ways.

The first time you WILL feel guilty but commit to the free time activity you've granted yourself. It will get easier.

You are not abandoning or neglecting your child by attending to your own needs from time to time. You are actually modeling a great behavior for your child - that being, people need to make sure they are taking time to refresh or reinvigorate themselves for their own emotional well-being.

Good luck, set an appointment for that haircut, make a date with a friend for a coffee, or just do something for yourself!

What you are feeling is normal! Your son will be completely fine with another person, and you're not being selfish for wanting to go to the gym. Finding time for yourself will make you a better mother, and help keep your sanity. Being a mom is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but you are more than just a mom. Having time to yourself reminds you of that.

If you're asking if he will miss you... of course he will! Will it damage or brake him? No. You can help by spending a little time with him AND the sitter before you leave. Have the sitter come over and hang for about 30 minutes before you leave. He will learn that this is a person who takes care of him and that he can trust. The best thing is to make sure it's the same person who sees him each time, and that it is somewhat regular (at least 1x/week) that he sees this person. Daycares work because the child learns to trust the daycare provider.

N.,
Do not feel bad for needing N. time. Your son will miss you sure, but it will not cause him harm to be away from you. It is healthy for him.
I am a SAHM as well and spend 24 hours a day with my four year old daughter. We co-sleep too so she's ALWAYS with me. I love her more then life itself but sometimes I need a break. Even if it's just to walk around the mall or sit in the library for an hour.
If you are anxious about it maybe you could try a few dry runs with whomever you hire. Like the first time you, the sitter, and your son all interact together. The next time have the sitter watch him and stay in the house with them just in a different room. That may make it easier to leave them because then you know he's gotten to know the sitter and so have you and it will be an easier transition.
Good luck!

I was really touched by your post. What an awesome Mom you sound like! I am a SAHM to a 25 mos. old, and I have had the same 'guilt' and concerns as you, which has kept me from hiring someone to watch her. I have come to realize though, the transition would have been much easier to do when she was younger, but we have FINALLY decided to hire a sitter for some 'mom time'. You should NOT feel guilty, as the previous posts said, it makes you a better Mom to have time to yourself. I personally think having someone watch your little one while they are very young would make it easier. Find someone you feel confident with & take time to your self. Your whole family will benefit from this. Good luck to you!! :)

Do not feel guilty for taking time for yourself. We need to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others.

My oldest went to daycare starting at 4 months ( 3 days a week).
Yes it is hard at first, and you feel guilty, but you do get past it. You will feel so much better after you get in a workout, or go shopping, or just go to a coffeehouse.

Maybe have the soon to be sitter come in and play/watch your son while you are there, then just go out for 1/2 hr, and then work up to 1-2 hr stretchs.

Congrats on the new addition.

I know the feeling and it is normal. My daughter is now 15 months old and it kills me to even take her to daycare for the whole week. Then on the weekends if I need to get something done I can't bare to not have her with me. Kids are fine once the mommy leaves. So kids cry but they get over it in minutes because they start playing. My daughter sometimes gets down and just goes off to play with out looking back. Other times she clings to me and crys. So I have to put on my brave face and hug, kiss and say goodbye I will be back soon. The longer you prolong the goodbye is the worse it will be on you both. They are not mentally holding anything against you and you will be a better mom when you find the time for yourself. I am still trying to find that. :-) Good luck. Eventually I have been trying to do a home daycare of my own so I can be at home with my daughter. I will have to find full time children first because I have had my current job for 10yrs and quitting is not a comfortable feeling. If you ever want to check out my ad on here under mom owned business's please see if I can ever be of help to you. I will be doing drop in's which means you can drop your son off for an hour or two if you want to get some things done. Hope this helps. thanks

not at that age - he probably wont notice too much as long as your not breastfeeding. seperation anxiety doesnt start till about a year, so get him used to baby sitters now lol

we did mothers helper for awhile, babysitter while i was home doing things for them to get to know the sitter. Don't ever have a sitter come babysit after y ou've put your child to bed. it back fired huge for us. mostly he never knew but the one time he woke up he cried for oever 2.5 hrs... even after we got home (she called after 1/2 hr saying she didn't know what to do). it takes some time. just remind yourself its really harder on us then them : )