grandma babysitting

Need everyone's opinion-grandma is watching our baby and she didnt listen to how much gripe water i told her to give at each bottle so had been giving her double the usual for two days. Now ds has had diarrhea for the third day due to this. The dr said it will pass and as long as she has no fever, vomitting, and wet diapers she just has to pass it out of her system.

I am so angry esp since she has yet to apologize and just said you never toldme and when i said i did she said well i didnt hear you because you give too many orders. I dont even know what to do at this point but i dont trust her with the baby.

Re: grandma babysitting

I think you have every reason to be upset. IMO, many grandparents are too old to be watching newborns, babies and young kids. Their judgement is off. One time my mom watched DD, and was given strict orders on how much "juice" she could have. Within 3 hrs, she wound up letting my DD drink half of the container b/c "she was thirsty". I told her she would drink constantly if I allowed her! I told her that for a reason and that was because that juice was mixed with water and too much water can harm a child. I wound up calling the ped and he even said, that's a LOT of water for a child to drink. DD was ok but it just confirmed to me that grandparents watching my DC are only for absolute emergencies! I just think they are too old, lack in judgement and sometimes too stubborn.

Message edited 2/24/2013 12:09:26 PM.

grandma babysitting

This is why I've been afraid to let any of DDs grandparents watch her so far. I know they mean well, but they did things so much differently when they were raising their kids and some of the things they hav suggested we do with DD are well known to be unsafe today. It sucks not being able to depend on them to help but to me it's not worth the risk since I know they are stubborn and will just do what they want even if I aske them not to.

grandma babysitting

Write out directions.

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Re: grandma babysitting

It's a hard call. If you think grandma is capable and well intentioned, I might give it another try if she is willing to repeat back/write down/do something in order to show she understands and is going to follow through on your wishes.

If you think she is either too elderly or is being oppositional, I'd pull the plug on her babysitting ASAP. Obviously there is a huge safety concern.

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Ugh... I went through a similiar experience with my MIL. I would tell her not to put a blanket on the baby and would come home to the blanket lying in the crib. She would say she forgot. My solution was to write EVERYTHING down. I typed up a general schedule and "rules" that I put on the refrigerator. Then every day, I would leave her a note with instructions and would reiterate anything that as important - every day! I even put labels on things like gripe water specifying dosing. It did get better. I know it's hard but having family watch your DC can have many advantages. We recently had to get a babysitter and it was realy hard for me because I was so used to having family who had lots of love for my DS. I know it seems like extra work, but the important thing is that you can go to work with as little worry as possible. Good luck!!!!!!!!

grandma babysitting

I write out directions that are very specific and I make her write everything Down- what time she ate, how much, Meds when she pees poops etc. no one will do things exactly YOUR way, but these are the sacrifices we make in order to have free child are! And their intentions are good.

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That's why I don't let their grandparents babysit they can spend time together and that's it

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Posted by NYCGirl80

Posted by alli3131

Write out directions.

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grandma babysitting

Wow I can't believe her response... Too may orders. This is one of the very reasons my DD was put in daycare. When my mom was alive I noticed things she was doing with dd, and I had NO peace of mind going to work all day. I can barely keep up with her, I can't expect my inlaws to keep on top of her 8 hrs a day either

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MIL overfed my puppy and got her sick when she was "babysitting" before we had kids...

Needless to say she will NOT be watching our babies.

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I just wouldn't let her babysit anymore. She seems to have a blaze attitude about it, however what she did is so dangerous. Babies can die from drinking too much water. Granted, I had witnessed my MIL do dangerous things with my nephew and he survived. I guess it's up to you, but I would be very nervoud.

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This is why I am not a fan of having family be the "caregiver" for our little ones..I would try not to be upset by the comment its an adjustment for everyone

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I don't have anything to add that hasn't been suggested already but I really do understand your frustration...

grandma babysitting

I am clearly in the minority here but I dont think I would take the position that the grandparent should no longer watch my DC. Give it another chance and maybe start writing things down as PP mentioned. I used to write things down for my mom when she watched DD but she found it easier to have written directions, just as anyone would. If she purposely doesnt follow directions or is forgetful or there is a pattern of mistakes then I would reconsider allowing her to babysit going forward. I am always surprised to read peoples reactions on here about grandparents watching grandkids- it often times seems SO negative.. My parents watched DD when I was working and I was SOOOO grateful both because I know no one else will love my DD as much and also because it is a huge financial help, I felt so lucky to have parents WILLINg to watch my DD- then again my parents and Ils too tried to follow any directions I left for them.

I wouldnt be so quick to walk away from having the grandparents babysit for something that COULD have been an honest mistake.

Message edited 2/24/2013 11:13:59 PM.

Re: grandma babysitting

Posted by hopingforbaby

Posted by gni1125

Posted by Goobster

I think you have every reason to be upset. IMO, many grandparents are too old to be watching newborns, babies and young kids. Their judgement is off. One time my mom watched DD, and was given strict orders on how much "juice" she could have. Within 3 hrs, she wound up letting my DD drink half of the container b/c "she was thirsty". I told her she would drink constantly if I allowed her! I told her that for a reason and that was because that juice was mixed with water and too much water can harm a child. I wound up calling the ped and he even said, that's a LOT of water for a child to drink. DD was ok but it just confirmed to me that grandparents watching my DC are only for absolute emergencies! I just think they are too old, lack in judgement and sometimes too stubborn.

Amen! Sometimes I see 75+ yo people pushing strollers with little babies and I just scratch my head. I understand some ppl don't have a choice but I would be so worried all day. I need peace of mind.

Not to single your post out but my in laws are older and watch DS during the day. An outsider may see them and think this way too but I can assure you they have more energy and gusto than I do! My FIL even says he is in the best shape he has been in in a long time. I think DS keeps them young in a way.

If it was an honest mistake, I would probably give her another shot. If you feel like she was intentionally going against your wishes I would say maybe she shouldnt watch LO for a while.

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I think it doesn't matter who the person is in relation to you. If you don't trust them with your child then listen to that and do what you feel is right for you and your child.

I use to write out everything for my mom. Medcine was written out so that even a elementary school kid could understand it.

Same for my MIL. I left her with DS when he was 4 months old. I left her enough breast milk to last him the time I was gone. She gave him all of it in one shot and threw out the rest that he didn't eat. So when he got hungry again there wasn't any breast milk and I had to cut my day short. I didn't let her watch DS again till he was wean from BF because I couldn't trust her to handle that type of situation again.