Seeking Advice - Tacoma,WA

You love children. It won't be a problem. However, if the baby is colicky they will have to take him to a homeopath so it will subside. Otherwise you will manage better than you now imagine. You know how fast babies change from now to a year of age.

Looking back at your past questions, why would you want to do this? It seems like you have a lot going on at home and have posted several times about being really stressed out. Caring for a newborn 11 hours a day, five days a week will only add to this. What if the baby is colicky? How would you handle it? If it's for extra money, why not take on an older child who could be more of a playmate to your three-year old? And maybe start with something part-time and see how it goes first. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

I used to babysit 5 kids (on different days) and my house always had at least 4 kids under 4 (2 were always infants, born within 2 months of each other, one being mine). It was actually a whole lot of fun. Sure, morning's got off to a rough start, but the rewards were huge. I love a house full of kids! Maybe start BEFORE they go back to work so you can make sure you have a schedule down, so you're not freaking out the first week. You've already got all the baby gear and the means to entertain them all, why not!? Make your 3 year old your helper. Just make sure you have rules with the new parents, like if your kid is sick (or theirs is), you won't be able to babysit. The worst thing that could happen is everyone sharing germs. Other than that, enjoy! The biggest jump is going from 1 child to 2... anything after that is a cake walk ;)

It'll be easier than you think. I did just fine with a 5 yr old (who acts like she's 2 or 3) and 2 mobile babies.

I'm sure you already have a schedule that you more or less follow, only difference with one more will be more naps for the 6 week old.

Just make sure to keep your own children on a schedule- the infant will make up his own schedule that will change regularly! Come up with a general plan for each day (including any housework that needs to get done) and tackle it like any other job- one thing at a time!

Remember to also stay on top of what the infant needs, so the parents have a day or two to buy it... diapers, wipes, formula, food, extra clothing etc. From experience, when the daycare provider told me that my son was "running low" on something I had a day or 2 to get more. When the note said "out of diapers" that meant a late-night trip (and an annoyed mama)!

Here's some (in my opinion) great advice:

1. Ask them to have a backup daycare option available, and say you want to try a 2 week trial. Let them know you'd really like to do it, but that you also have to make sure you can handle 3 little ones at a time. Make sure they understand that you have the best interests of the children at heart, and you don't want to commit to it if you feel you won't be able to adequately care for all 3.

2. Make sure you have a payment contract in place, and let them know that this is a business arrangement completely separate from your friendship. I can't tell you how many posts I read about friends taking advantage of another friend's offers of babysitting. You don't want this to become a situation where you're not getting compensated for the work you've done, and it starts to affect your friendship with these folks, and possibly your feelings towards their baby.

Let them know your daily/weekly/monthly rate and tell them exactly when you expect payment. If they start to pay late or not at all, be firm and tell them that you cannot continue to care for their child and that they'll have to find another arrangement by x date. Be firm. Do NOT let yourself get into a situation where you feel taken advantage of. Be sure to put a clause in the contract that either party has the option to terminate the arrangment with x day's notice.

Good luck, and I hope it works out for you.

You will need to make sure you have a GOOD carrier - like an Ergo or Bijorn, a portable bouncer and/or an exersaucer and a good stroller - a double would be best. Basically you'll need options as to where you can put either your 5mo old or the baby when you need to be hands free - and a blanket on the ground won't always work. Be prepared for the juggling act!! And the stroller will be necessary because you will all go stir crazy if you can't get out of the house!! And I agree about making your oldest your "little helper" :) It will keep him/her engaged and hopefully teach them a little about responsibility.

Good luck mama!!

i agree it'll be easier than you think at first. the 6week old will probably sleep most of the time at first and that will help you establish a routine. it'll get harder once the 2 little ones get older. the 3yo should be able to help you out a little, too, with getting diapers, premade bottles, burp cloths, etc.

I think you have a lot going on based on your recent posts. Taking care of your friends' baby could be a wonderful thing and it would be great for your kids to grow up together. Given you are just learning to manage with two without much support or breaks and your husband gone, i think you need to think it thru thoroughly and make sure this is the best thing for you, for both of your kids, and for your friend's baby.
Three is a lot, especially with two so young who will need a lot of care in the coming months and those are lvery ong days. If you feel it might be more than you can or want to handle, you should talk openly with your friends about what is best for all the children and for you too.
If you really feel this is something you want to do and have the energy for three kids then I hope it turns out wonderful. If you do, definitely get a good carrier and dbl stroller! Good luck and i hope it turns out great.

oooh S......

this is hard as you will then be considered to be "operating a day care"...if ANYTHING happens to their baby while in your care - you could be sued...

You will have to check into your state laws about operating a home day care, get licensed and insured...this is to COVER YOUR BUTT...doesn't mean you need to take on more kids - but it's a way to cover your butt should anything happen - as we all know stuff happens!!

You need to have a contract in place - hours you are to care for the child, what they are to provide, when they are going to pay you, what if the check bounces, etc...this is a business and will change your friendship forever...just so you know....make sure you have a schedule in place...pick up and drop off, payment, meals - bottle feedings, etc.

You will be fine in dealing with the kids - adding one more the mix is nothing!! I find 3 to 4 easier than 2!!! I know - call me crazy!!!

GOOD LUCK!!

In the beginning, he'll just sleep a lot. I've tried to babysit my sister's baby and my SIL's preschooler once and it got to be too much for me. I had 2 other kids with my sis and 4 other kids with my SIL. I was homeschooling too which probably made a difference but when my two older ones were little, I tried babysitting two other kids but I couldn't do it. It was too much for me. =) Not saying that you can't do it but maybe this will put things in perspective in case you decide to change your mind before you start. Totally not saying you should change your mind!! I think it's a great opportunity!! Because he'll just sleep a lot in the beginning, you'll ease into it and your kids will be getting older too, which might ease things up and you'll get used to it. I wish you the best!!

I agree with the 'cover your butt' advice. They could be your best friends, but they'll be blaming you if their son gets sick or concussion or whatever.

But you wanted encouragement right? My thought would be to remind your husband that you will be working FULL TIME with 3 kiddos in the house and that he needs to take it easy on you and support you, etc. Dinner may not be done by the time he gets home. You may not have gotten a shower that day. You may be grumpy b/c the kids didn't nap that day. You may need a relaxing bath at the end of the evening. If you have this conversation with him ahead of time, hopefully it will go well with the two of you. B/C I bet it'll take a few weeks or maybe even a month to get into the 'groove of things' where you learn the baby's routine and can predict and figure out what you can do and what you have time for. Good luck! We'll be here for ya.