Aftermath...

[mommydama]

I feel sick. We went the ball which wasn't too horrible, actually had some kind of fun moments. We got home and I could feel negativity oozing the moment we walked in the door. Brad had called the babysitters (a brother and sister duo, Red Cross certified, teenagers but seemed mature) during dinner and told me things were okay, the girls had been crying some, but he didn't seem concerned. We got home and the girl half of the babysitters is looking like she is going to fall over from exhaustion. We ask how it went and they both kind of go "Well.....". Then she tells me Zoe "messed" in her pants and looks at me like I should be horrified. I told her before we left that we were potty training and Zoe needed to be sat on the toilet frequently and that she might have an accident. Is that so horrible? Then as I am leaving to take them home, Brad reminds me to ask if they are available next Friday (for a Hail and Farewell that may or may not be child friendly, we don't know yet). I laughed and said, JOKING, that they won't want to come back. The girl says, very clearly, "Not anytime in the near future." I start feeling sick at this point. When I got home, I went to check on the kiddos and Zoe is sleeping without her blankie. I cannot really believe that since she has slept with that blanket every night since she was about six months old and the few times we didn't have it she screamed for hours. Turns out she "messed" on the blanket. Brad told me later that as soon as I left to take the babysitters home he went to check on the kids and Zoe's eyes were open. She didn't say anything to him or start crying so he asked her if she was okay. She said yes and he asked her where her blankie was. She said "I messed it". I know this may not make any sense to you all, but for her to be so matter of fact about it, while lying awake at 10pm and not crying or reaching for her daddy makes me really worry. What the did those kids do to my children? Did they cry the whole time we were gone? Why didn't they call us if they were in over their heads? I don't ever want to leave my children with non-family members again. I can't even cry I'm so upset. Why would Zoe be so wierd? I'm freaked right now.

Comments

[ntiva.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's awful. :(

Will you call them and try to get more information out of them? Or just never ask them back again?

I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience.

My prayers are with you.

[videoleslie.livejournal.com]

Calm down...I don't think it's as bad as you think. Your mother-nerves may be on high alert, but I really think that if Zoe was traumatized in any way, she would have jumped all over you guys when you got home. I think that her quietness probably means she wasn't upset, just a little out of sorts because of strangers in the house. If the babysitters thought your kids were a handful, then good on you for being a good mother to them all day every day...and don't invite the babysitters back. Don't let this put you off babysitting; you and Brad need time to yourselves occasionally.

[linnapaw.livejournal.com]

I second that. You two definitely need some time alone. And if the kids aren't used to babysitters, then it can make things kind of odd. I started babysitting for my "second family" when I was 15. Two kids, 6 and 2. They were a handful, but a lot of fun.

If I were anywhere in the area, I'd offer to babysit, but alas, I'm a bit far away.

[justamy.livejournal.com]

i agree with the others...i think if zoe was truly bothered in a big way she would have been more demonstrative of that. she was probably acting weird because having a babysitter was weird to her. i agree with leslie that maybe these babysitters weren't right for you, but don't let it put you off of babysitting forever. you have good instincts...trust them, but don't go over board. kids are weird sometimes...even zoe ;)