A couple of my husband's Aunts are always wanting to watch our 10 month old daughter. The problem is they both have dogs that I don't trust. One has bit other people, the other growls and nips if you come near it while eating. Neither have been around kids or babies before. I know it isn't that they are bad dogs but it is obvious to me the dogs are nervous are my daughter and this makes me VERY concerned. I thought the aunts would use a little common sense and keep the dogs away....but they don't. These dogs are like their babies. They will make comments about how we should bring her over to play with the dog! My husband also doesn't see the problem. I don't want to hurt anyones feelings but I don't want to leave my daughter with them anymore. But in a split second my daughter could be scarred for life. How can I make them understand this?
Thanks for all your great advice! I talked to my husband this morning and it didn't go so well. He thinks that I am just too over-protective and paranoid. He "trusts his aunts" which I do also (I just don't trust their dogs!) But I am just going to put my foot down. My daughters health and safty is more important to me then my husband or inlaws thinking I am too over-protective! Thanks again!
I would thank them for their offer and insist that if they want to watch her, they do it in your home. Tell them anything - she has seperation anxiety and does better at home, she's used to her own toys and crib for naps - or just explain that she's not used to dogs and the dogs aren't used to her and you feel uncomfortable having them all together.
Good Luck!
Stick to your guns girl! You are right on saying your precious daughter life could change in an instant and NOTHING is worth it! Tell the in-laws, they are welcome to come to your house sans doggies, but you will not be leaving your little chew toy at their house unsupervised. Perhaps your pediatrician can give you some written recommendations...sometimes grandparents do better with that stuff. That generation tends to be indoctrinated in obeying the doctors words..safety..allergies.whatever it takes. I took this stand with my father in law and his smoking years ago and I never regretted it. Good luck!
What's the chances of them coming to your house to see the baby without the furry babies with them?
You need to make it clear how uncomfortable you are with this situation. A small child and dogs are nothing to turn your head about. Small children make noises and make akward movements that can easily scare a dog, especially one that is already skiddish. I would tell your husband as well as the Aunts that you want your daughter and the dogs kept apart at all times or you will have to make other arrangments. I know they believe their dogs would never do such a thing, but they are animals and as sweet as they may be, can still be unpredictable. Your childs safety comes first.
I have a very sweet dog too, until you get near her when she's eating. My children are never left alone with her. At any time. That should be the rule with any child and animal. The Aunts need to respect that.
you just need to tell your hubby your concerns and make it clear that it has nothing to do with his aunts and everything to do with you not trusting the dogs...make sure to bring up that fact they've bitten other kids and snap and growl when they are eating. a baby doens't know not to aproach a doggy when it's snoot is in a bowl. then it is his place to explain that you all will not be leaving your baby with them at thair house. if they really want to babysit, then let them come to your house...with out the pooches. i went to school with a girl a long time ago that got malled by a naieghbors dog. she had played with it a 100 times and she accidentally did something that set it off and something tragic happened. you don't want the same thing to happen to your child.
I would just be honest. To lighten the "blow" tell them you are worried about what your baby may do to the dogs... how she will react. Babies don't understand how to handle pets and you are worried that if she makes the "wrong move" then the dogs may react and that you are worried about the outcome. Suggest for them to come over to your house--without the dogs--to watch your little lady!
Tell them if they want to watch your daughter, it will have to be at your house. A child of her age doesn't know to stay away from a dog & could not defend herself. If they have bitten others in the past, then the aunts should understand that it could happen again. Explain you love for your daughter to spend time with them but your mind can't be at ease if the dogs are there.
My husbands aunts have a small dog that has bitten my 10 yr old TWICE on the leg now! We won't go back there unless they cage the dog, which they won't, so now, visits take place at our house!
Well, this may sound harsh, but it's your responsibility to protect your daughter. I suggest you not leave her in their house without you present watching her (and the dogs). Your aunts are at a disadvantage for not spending time with your daughter, but if something happened in your absence, I know you would never forgive yourself (or your aunts). Better to assume the worst in advance than hope for the best. Good luck.
