Do any of you have sitters come in to help?

[catemom]

I'm seriously considering taking DS out of his preschool as his behavior isn't up to their standards, they don't seem to be skilled or knowledgeable enough to handle him, and their proposed solutions strike me as being insensitive and overly simplistic. Anyway, I still really like some things about the Montessori Method, and would consider doing it at home, but I really need some time to myself to rest and regroup since I'm 4 mos. pg and kind of tired. Does anyone else have a sitter come in to give you a break? I'd like to hear some options, b/c I'm really at the end of my rope with this school and I'm a little reluctant to subject him to another school without doing some serious footwork and research first. Any ideas would be most appreciated.

[kewb]

I have not done what you are considering but when my children were little I did have a sitter come in and help so I could rest and recharge. It was one of the best things I ever did for myself.

[sleet76]

I do have a sitter. She comes two mornings a week. One morning I run DD to gymnastics and DS to his occupational therapy session. So I don't have to take everyone to places that are so NOT easy to have extra kids. The other morning, I schedule appointments for all of us, so I don't have to bring everyone. Or, I fold laundry w/o kids, go shopping w/o all the kids, or do something special with one of the kids. It's been really good, but it does take some time to "break in" the sitter. Now it's very comfortable having her here, whether I'm there or not.

It's definitely a luxury. But I'm liking it!

[mamamelia]

when this babe is born we will likely be getting a part time nanny for a few months. i am prone to PPD and i refuse to make our home life a living hell because mama can't get it together. so yes we will have a sitter and still be homeschooling.

when we interview the potential nannies i will be making it clear of all the things we do on a daily basis, how we discipline, what we eat etc so that i can be sure everyday will still be the same or at the very least similar to what they were before. i think this is the most important bit. hiring someone who will keep up to your ideals. i don't know if i would want the nanny outright teaching dd as they are not hired to be tutors but i'd like to believe she would do all of the taking care of for 2 dd's (not the baby) and play based stuff and leave the 30 minutes of academic stuff to me or dh in evening.

why don't you write out a list as to what you'd like to achieve every day or every week and keep that at something to refer to (not only for yourself but for the sitter). just a rough guide. that's what i'm doing right now.

[Love_My_Babies]

A friend and neighbor has a 10 yo daughter and two sons my kids' age. The 10 yo comes over after school one or two afternoons a week to play with my older two while the baby is napping. I get to knock a few things off my to-do list while she is here.

[mommy68]

Originally Posted by Love_My_Babies

A friend and neighbor has a 10 yo daughter and two sons my kids' age. The 10 yo comes over after school one or two afternoons a week to play with my older two while the baby is napping. I get to knock a few things off my to-do list while she is here.

I was going to suggest this. There are a lot of homeschooled girls out there (or boys) that would probably be very willing to help out for a small fee.

[ahdoula]

My 16 year old sister comes a few times a month to help with some of our big project days which she thinks are fun too but other then that I just push through with the three kids: homeschooling, housekeeping, working from home. DH makes sure I get extra rest in the AM and I go to bed at a decent hour and I am hyper organized. Those are my strategies! Not saying a sister isn't a good idea- just don't have the luxury myself.

[phathui5]

You could check the local homeschooling email lists. That's how I found our babysitter.