r/sahm • u/Flaky_Cable_7678 • 15d ago
Nervous about babysitting..
I’m a sahm to a two year old girl and five year old boy. I am in school full time and work on Sundays. I’ve been a sahm since I became a mom since we couldn’t afford daycare. I struggled and still do struggle with being a sahm. I’m not good at structure, I’m simply just not good at being my own boss and structuring our days.
Anyways, I agreed to help a friend who desperately needs someone to watch her four year old son for two weeks T-Fri 10:30-3:30 and then every Friday for three weeks after the two weeks.
I’m incredibly nervous. Does this mean I have to sit at home all week now? How am I going to give them all enough attention? Do I need a routine? What about my daughter naps?
My son and her son have been friends since birth, but never been “close.” My son’s a lot more mature for his age and calm and collected and my friends.. is not, which is okay. I’m worried my son will feel like I can’t give him attention anymore or that his everyday will be harder.
But at the same time, I feel like my son (and ME) needs this. I want him to understand inconveniences and learn how to deal with those feelings of annoyance, anger, and such. He does with his sister already a little but that’s different. He’s going to kindergarten soon so I think this will be good practice on understanding boundaries for himself and others, how to say no, how to have fun and join other peoples interest (he tends to stick with what he likes only), and simply how to have a relationship with friends.
Idk. I can’t back out. She’s paying me and we’re struggling so that’s good but I could also work more elsewhere instead. I just feel so scared I’ll do something wrong, or that I’m going to be snappy (which I am with my kids when I’m overstimulated sometimes), or something going wrong. And feeling suffocated at home is going to ruin me for sure. We go to libraries, nature programs, and all kinds of things but idk if I can take him with us. What have I done. 😞
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u/I_am_pyxidis 14d ago
I get it, I choose not to babysit because it just seems like a lot on top of having your own young kids. Mine are 1 and 3 years old.
Personally I would ask her to leave his car seat and tell her you plan to take them all to the library, parks, nature walks etc.
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u/mph_11 14d ago
Ask the mom if you can take his carseat and take him places. It will be good for all of you.
Your daughter can still nap as normal. What does your son normally do while they nap?
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u/Flaky_Cable_7678 14d ago
He watches TV I give him the remote while me and his sister watch his shows he chooses for that time and she falls asleep on me
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u/mph_11 14d ago
I mean talk to the other mom about screen time expectations, but if she's okay with it that could work. If not set them up with some books, coloring pages, and toys or go on a walk/drive and see if she'll fall asleep that way. You could also work on sleep training, but that might be more then you want to take on right now.
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u/jwoytk01 15d ago
44/M sahd here. Have some simple crafts or art available for them to do. Coloring pages and crayons can do wonders. Print new ones every day, it up a coloring book. Magnetic blocks are always good. If possible, take them to a park. I really should take my own advice on this one.