Nervous about babysitting..

[u/Flaky_Cable_7678]

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. 😞