I am an in-home childcare provider, and I currently watch my 2 children, 5 yrs and 10 months, a 3 month old 5 days a week, and a 6 month old 1 day a week, but for 13 hours. My problem is that the 6 month old cries all the time whenever I am not where she can see me. I have been watching her for 3 months and it hasn't gotten any better. Not only is it really wearing on my nerves and making me feel slightly depressed, it is affecting my baby and the other 3 month olds napping schedule simply because she cries and screams so loud. I really want to tell this mother that I don't feel like I can give this child the attention that she demands, but I don't really know how to go about doing so.
maybe talk to the mama what the child is doing, see if she can come up with ways to get the baby to not scream so much? perhaps she's got tricks she uses at home that would work
A.,
It is hard, but you should be honest and tell her in a polite way that you cannot take care of her child, and give her the attention she needs anymore. Just be sincere.
Good Luck!
Alejandra
I would just say exactly that. "I don't feel that I can give your child the attention she deserves. I have three other children that I take care of, and your child cries whenever I get out of eyeshot. Not only do I feel that this is stressor for your baby, but it is a stressor to the other children that I'm watching because they can't carry out their normal schedules when she's screaming."
I have done full time daycare for 10 years and I have three kids of my own. I've always told my clients up front that we can only do this if there is completely open communication between us. They must be free to ask anything from where did he get this scratch to how can I get him to stop biting? You need to let her know that the baby is screaming, ask her if this is normal at home and what does she think you can do? It is not reasonable to assume that you would be 100% devoted to the baby and most moms understand that. I found that when you find what the baby likes, you get at least most of the time without tears. Any swing? Jumper? Walker? Does the baby like TV? Sometimes kid shows like Face or sesame street can be a nice break. The infant may not be learning but they like faces, music and movement. Eventually, they do learn stuff, too. If nothing really is working, you need to be honest with the Mom and give her time to find a decent replacement. She can contact Daycare Answers to get a referal for a license daycare. Good Luck!
