It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.
This Week's Confession:
A mom left her 4 year old in the care of another mom she met just minutes ago.
We live in a town house community, and I was outside with my 3 and 4 year old girls. Another mom was outside with her 4 year old daughter, and we started to visit. After a while, her daughter asked if she could come to our house and play. I didn't mind and neither did her mom -- which was a little troubling. She'd only just met me!
After playing a little bit, the mom came over and asked if I could keep her an extra 10 -15 minutes so she could shower. I agreed. She also offered to take my girls to the park while I stayed at home with the baby, but I said no. I don't know her or trust her, even though she lives right down the road. -- anonymous
Do you let your toddlers play at the houses of parents you only "sort of" know? What age is appropriate for letting kids visit their friends without you around? What is your criteria for when you feel comfortable leaving your child in someone else's care?
Past Confessions:
My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts
I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted
My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight
I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public
I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut
My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast
I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath
Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding
I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care
Kim and Kanye's Baby Name Predictions!
Moms Love Birthday Parties, Too!
Father Knows Best - Happy Father's Day!
Are Cheaters Entitled to Privacy? - A...
Comments 35
I voted no. theonly exception I can think of is if she is a well known friend of the family or works for our church, and they were going to all stay in a group setting, such as our church sunday school. But I would still be weird about it.
I say no to a situation like this where I want time alone or need to do things. Nothing like that until they are older and I will meet their parents. I agree its the momtuition thing. But I do leave my son with a daycare so I guess you could say that its the same thing. I don't know them really good personally but I leave my son with them. So I guess it depends on the situation.
I have totally arranged my life and work schedule around the kids so that I don't need a day care or another mom's help. There are moms I'd feel comfortable leaving my child with, but I do everything with in my power to avoid doing so. And it certainly wouldn't be a mom I'd just met 15 minutes ago. There are moms I've known for years that I wouldn't leave them with.
It depends on a lot of things. At my sons age, No way. When he's OLDER and able to communicate CLEAARLY, then I'd allow it IF my intuition wasn't saying no.
NEVER. EVER, EVER, EVER, NEVERRRRRRRR. My children aren't even babysat by my own parents. I don't even trust THEM enough! They are MY kids, MY responsibility. I find it appalling that people would actually be like, Here's my defenseless three year old, I need to shower. Shower at night! Shower when your SO gets home! Whatever! I have gone days without a shower bc I don't have time, and don't trust others to keep what I consider an appropriate enough watch on my son, and so I don't shower, and either wait til my SO comes home or I choose sleep at that point and hope for one the next day. Freaking ridiculous! NOTHING should come before or above your childs' safety! Put on some perfume. UGH.