If you work – or even just use a babysitter occasionally – do you call to check-in every once in a while? I’m not a compulsive check-in-er. Most days when I work, even if the kids are at my mom’s - which means I could call as much as I want - I never do. I know this sounds bad, but I don’t think about them much. I mean, they’re never really off my mind and I obviously don’t forget they exist, but I don’t worry about how they’re doing. I know they’re OK. When I do think about them – maybe if I think one of them might be getting sick and I don’t know if I’ll have to stay home the next day – I obsess about it and barely get anything done. It’s easier for me if I go into work mode and try not to wonder how things are going or what they’re doing. I just concentrate on making it through the day. How about you? Does checking in on your kids ease your mind or make it harder to keep working?
I think the daycare would shoot me if I called to check in. Not that they don't care about parents but that would be nuts.
ReplyDeleteI managed to make it through Jackson's first few weeks at day care without checking in. However the first night Chris and I left him at home with my mom, I called 3 times. I have gotten better since then. Not that I don't miss Jackson while I am away from him, but I know he is well taken care of.
ReplyDeleteI don't use a babysitter often, but haven't ever called to check in when I had one. Mostly when we have a babysitter it's for date night and we go after the kids are sleeping. Seems pointless to call and say- so are the kids still asleep or what?
ReplyDeleteWhen I am at work, I'm at work. When I'm home, I'm home. I try to keep them separate. My babysitter calls me if she needs something.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about calling today to check in on Gizmo who was sick all weekend but I figure if there is something I need to know, the babysitter will call.
Nope, not ever. I'm also a horrible mother who doesn't miss the kid when she's gone. If I know my child is well taken care of (and why would I leave her with someone I don't trust?) then when I am out I enjoy myself.
ReplyDeleteWe don't use a sitter often (actually, we've never used an "official" one, just friends that we switch off with), but when we do, I don't check in. I figure if they need me, they'll call me.
ReplyDeleteWhen Ezra and Iris started daycare as smaller people, that first week I called maybe once a day. More for my peace of mind, really. Now I don't call at all.
ReplyDeleteWhen Iris was home with a nanny, J the Nanny and I would exchange texts a few times a day--quick questions here and there, or she would send me cute pictures. I loved it.
If we're gone overnight and the kids are with my parents or in-laws, we usually call at some point to check in, mostly because we feel like we have to. It's not that I don't care, it's that I assume they will call us if there's a problem.
ReplyDelete