Rough week - Sorry....it got long.

mammag wrote: Hello everyone! I haven't been around much because I've just been a bit stressed and trying to figure stuff out.

Last Wed. the woman I babysit for (Emma's mom) called first because Emma's dad was leaving the house (they live across the street) and Emma wouldn't wave at him. She called acting all concerned "is she okay?" I blew it off because in the three years I've been watching her she has always done stuff like this that make me feel like she doesn't trust me (she called several times a day). Then she calls back a few minutes later and said "I noticed a bruise on Emma, what happened?" I asked when it happened and she wasn't sure so it could have happened at her house as easily as mine and she hadn't cried like something happened recently so I said I didn't know. This was about the size of a nickle, if even. Anyway, I didn't like her tone at all. I got off the phone but was stewing about it. I ended up calling her back and saying "I get the feeling you are concerned about Emma's care" to which she said "I am"....we got into it a bit and I ended up (to make the story shorter) calling her and telling her I wasn't going to be able to watch Emma anymore. I can't put myself at risk to accusations. She threw a fit, of course, and tried apologizing but said a lot of hurtful things (like I don't care at all about Emma or I wouldn't quit her).

Anyway, things got messsy. She came to my house when my brother was visiting and was yelling and carrying on, didn't want to give me my check (her husband ended up making her....didn't seem happy about how she was acting), etc......

So now I have no kids I'm watching....right before Christmas....which makes things tighter. We'll be okay but it's just an added stress I didn't need right now.

Mostly, I'm just upset because I watched her for three years, treated her like my own, and it just makes me angry that she acted like this and never was able to trust me. I know it is her issues not my own but still.....it hurt. Now I'm more furious about the way she is making this.....I'm worried about interviewing new families because she's liable to go out and make a scene then too..... URGH!!! Frustrating....I should have gone with my gut and never watched for her since she was a neighbor (normally against my policy) and was never really friendly to me until she got pregnant and wanted a convenient sitter.

I don't know how much I'll be around because I'm trying to take this time without any kids to get organized and enjoy my family....while figuring everything out.

Hope you all are well!

moped replied: i AM SO SORRY - sounds like a yucky situation but I would have done the same thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there

mckayleesmom replied: Oh..thats horrible Jeannie.....Want Mckaylee? I would trust you...your kids look very happy and healthy to me

5littleladies replied: I'm sorry! That was kind of ridiculous of her-my girls have all kinds of bruises and since we are always home I know they get them here, but I have no idea how. Kids get bruised up-It's a fact of life. I would have done the same thing-you definitely don't need someone accusing you of things you aren't responsible for. I hope you get everything figured out.

coasterqueen replied: I'm sorry she acted that way to you and has made things difficult.

Boys r us replied: Oh my goodness...things sound really out of whack..or should I say that mother does!!
Braedon gets bruises and scrathes and boo boo's at his sitter's house, I know it's going to happen..it is just normal..there have been times another child has bitten him, which don't get me wrong, I wasn't pleased with..but I also know that even if Kathy(his sitter) had been sitting in the floor right beside Brae, it could have just as eaily happened..things can happen so fast. It's just life, sounds like she's a little unstable!

Debra replied: I am so sorry! What an awful situation! I hope you are able to find someone else to care for quickly & without any troubles!

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Oh my goodness - I'm so sorry!! That happened to someone else I know who did day care, and all of her moms except one pulled their kids out.

I hope you can find someone new without any problems!

My2Beauties replied: Maybe I am getting all psychological here, but it sounds like she is blaming you for every little thing because she, herself, may have some shortcomings when it comes to raising her child - KWIM Hon, don't beat yourself up over this, everything will work itself out. What a dumb woman to think that her kid won't get bruises Hanna has had black eyes from falling down at the sitters, she was running fell right smack into a chair, got a shiner I mean it's gonna happen! This week she scratched herself under the eye with her own fingernails I mean kids will get scrapes and bruises!

PS - Please no one call CPS on me after this post

jcc64 replied: Oh Jeanie, so sorry for the mess with your childcare clients. The whole relationship is by its nature based on a mutual trust, and when one or both parties start to question that trust, it becomes toxic very quickly, and is, in many cases, beyond repair. I think you made the right decision for everyone, although of course endings are always sad.
FWIW, I experienced a "bad breakup" with my previous caregiver. The circumstances were very different, but it all boiled down to a breakdown in trust between us. The whole experience was incredibly draining and ugly, so I know what you're going through. Big hugs to you- really miss seeing you around here, but I totally get it.

amymom replied: Aww I am so sorry. I think you are a great mom. Sorry you are going through this. That women is weird.

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: I hope things get better for you!!

gr33n3y3z replied: I'm so sorry Jeanie that it even came down to this
But look at it this way now you have a little more time to get other things worked out at home

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I'm sorry, Jeanie What a horrible situation. I hope she doesnt' cause anymore trouble for you and you are able to find some more kids to keep.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: We miss you Jeanie, but we totally understand wanting more time with your kids and all. I'm sorry the relationship with your neighbor ended like it did. Hopefully she will discover that she was feeling insecure for no reason and can be mature about it all...and maybe even apologize correctly. If not, no bother. I'm sure you have such a good reputation that if she were to go out and gossip, people would think she's nuts! Don't worry yourself sick over it, but I know it must be hard.

Hang in there! I'm sure things will look up in no time!