Watching friends 2 dds on top of my 3 kids....am I crazy?

[caiesmommy]

So a hs friend of dh lives 2 doors down. The family is amazing and our kids get a long amazingly.

She has a 4y old dd starting full time jk in Sept. and a currently 8m old. Friend is going back to work in October. I have a currently 9m old dd,a 3y old dd(who goes to preschool 2 mornings a week) and a 6y old ds who goes to school full time

Friend will be dropping her dd off at school every am,her dh will be bringing baby over around 9/10 depending on his shift. I will have both young ones all day and my 3y old most of the time. I'll pick up friends dd at her school 15min before ds gets home on the bus(which drops off right in front of the school. Then walk all kids home and friend will pick up about 4pm. Friends mom lives down the road and my mil lives next door. All kids are fine with everyone incase emergency happens. 

I'll be making about $600 a month. We could REALLY use the money. Am I crazy?

[MichelleZB]

Do the kids get along well? If so, it could probably work out! You live in Ontario, and you'd be running what amounts to an unlicensed daycare. You're allowed to have 5 children or less (that aren't your own).

[caiesmommy]

Kids get along amazingly...it's actually quite nice when they're all together b-c they distract each other lol

[rdehoff-us]

I'd do it if I were you. The kids get along, gives them playmates, a distraction, entertainment, a little extra to help with the family budget, and these are people you actually like.  I would be up front about any concerns you may have and just in case let the couple know if it is too much for you that you don't want it to affect your friendship.

[OkiMom]

Id do it if they got along. I watched my friends 2 with my 3 and had them all day.. It was actually easier because the kids enjoyed playing together.. My middle actually took a nap because my friend's daughter still napped (close in age to my DD) so they laid down at the same time.

[anj_rn]

I would do it, but I would be very specific on whether or not you will take care of sick children, and what constitutes sick.  Also, find out her preference on if your kids are sick.  I ran into this last year with my nephew.  I had absolutely made it clear that I would not take care of a sick child (since I have a SN child at home who is very susceptible).

[Natalya]

No, you are not crazy, it sounds like a great idea.  Just make sure you get SOME kid free time each week.  good luck!