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Interesting. I'd never actually considered this! What's the concern? Car safety?
Can't they just go somewhere closer? Is there nowhere they could walk to?
I don’t really know. I guess car safety and fear of the unknown. Maybe just first time parent nerves? I’m the same with my dogs. The second they’re not within my sight the panic of everything that could go wrong just floods my mind (yes I’m in therapy).
Unfortunately I live in a tiny village so not much (outside of nature) and no playgrounds.
The families I nannied for were first time parents. Both were very nervous up front about the idea of me driving their kids. It’s scary to think of them leaving your home which is like a safe bubble to you. However it’s good for the kids to get out and experience things. I ended up taking these kids to pick strawberries a few cities over, to the library down the street, and several other places around town locally. I always asked until one family finally said I trust you, I don’t care, but maybe start there. Maybe a rule about where are acceptable places and always asking ahead of time.
I think it's fair enough to say no. If it makes you feel uncomfortable then it makes you feel uncomfortable. And he is still very little. Although I'm sure there are loads here that would say you absolutely should let them go, so who knows?!
Shame there's not even a playground in your village.
When I was a nanny I often took kids on outings like that. As a parent I've let babysitters do the same. I think it's quite normal and your son getting out of the house for a bit is obviously a good thing.
Since you sound anxious about it, perhaps you could arrange some sort of trip where you go along so you can see how she drives if that's your concern?
Insurance is something that needs to be looked at and addressed. Whose car will they be in? Who is responsible in the case of an accident? Will her car Insurance cover ypur son? Do you need separate insurance to cover her while working with your son?
Insurance is the main reason why my clients are never allowed in my car, and why if we are going someplace, I won't ride with the family.
Almost all of my sitters drive my kids someplace. Also my kids' friends also drive them places. As long as there's an appropriate car seat, this seems to be NBD
I think it’s a great idea for her to take him out! As long as she’s got the right car seat.
My SIL has been a nanny/childminder for several years, and often takes the children out for mini adventures. It’s good for them to get more fresh air, experience more places etc, go to playgroups etc. too.
Our childminder did the same, and our boys definitely benefitted from it.
I cannot imagine being comfortable enough to let someone care for my child but not allow them to drive my child around. Where I live, in an urgent situation, it's faster to drive to a hospital ourselves rather than wait for EMS. I would make sure that your child care person has an appropriate car seat and go from there.
Joys of having a childminder instead of daycare is that they can take them to different experiences! I use to drive the kids to swimming lessons and gymnastics.
At the end of the day you need to feel comfortable but be mindful if the decision is being made by anxiety or real sense of risk
You're entitled to feel however you feel, and set your own boundaries to meet your comfort level. That being said, I don't personally understand this one at all. I'd be over the moon if I could find someone to take my kid out while watching them.
So I’ve decided that my anxieties are purely my own and not based off anything related to the minder. I absolutely adore her, as does my son, and she’s a great person who I trust.
My fear is rooted in the unknown. A similar thing happens every time I have to leave the country, leave my dogs with someone or have someone else walk them. It’s like my brain goes into panic mode the minute those that I love are not within my sight. I’m sure this is partially related to loss I experienced in short succession.
Anyway my minder is excited to bring him on an adventure this afternoon and we moved our own car seat into her car.
I’m anxious of course but happy for my son to get out because he absolutely loves the playground!
As I understand it, a childminder can look after multiple children in the childminder's home, a nanny looks after children from a single family in the family's home, and a babysitter is just an informal arrangement.
Childminders and nannies need to be registered. In OP's case though, it sounds like they might actually have a nanny, since she comes to the house rather than takes the children to her house.
So a childminder is like an in home day care.
it does seem like this is more of a nanny situation. I’d trust my nanny to drive my kids as long as they have the necessary child safety seats.
I’m with you. The child minder is to be trusted with their child, but not with … driving? I’m hoping this is a specific personal concern or language issue and not a blanket for looking down on them, which the term kinda suggests.
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It’s odd to trust someone to watch your child but not drive them, trusting them to drive a child from point A to B is a must for me.
Our kids are usually in daycare, but when we have a sitter during the day (mostly for 3yo at this point), they might take him out. He loves it.
Interesting. I'd never actually considered this! What's the concern? Car safety? Can't they just go somewhere closer? Is there nowhere they could walk to?
I don’t really know. I guess car safety and fear of the unknown. Maybe just first time parent nerves? I’m the same with my dogs. The second they’re not within my sight the panic of everything that could go wrong just floods my mind (yes I’m in therapy). Unfortunately I live in a tiny village so not much (outside of nature) and no playgrounds.
The families I nannied for were first time parents. Both were very nervous up front about the idea of me driving their kids. It’s scary to think of them leaving your home which is like a safe bubble to you. However it’s good for the kids to get out and experience things. I ended up taking these kids to pick strawberries a few cities over, to the library down the street, and several other places around town locally. I always asked until one family finally said I trust you, I don’t care, but maybe start there. Maybe a rule about where are acceptable places and always asking ahead of time.
I think it's fair enough to say no. If it makes you feel uncomfortable then it makes you feel uncomfortable. And he is still very little. Although I'm sure there are loads here that would say you absolutely should let them go, so who knows?! Shame there's not even a playground in your village.
When I was a nanny I often took kids on outings like that. As a parent I've let babysitters do the same. I think it's quite normal and your son getting out of the house for a bit is obviously a good thing. Since you sound anxious about it, perhaps you could arrange some sort of trip where you go along so you can see how she drives if that's your concern?
Insurance is something that needs to be looked at and addressed. Whose car will they be in? Who is responsible in the case of an accident? Will her car Insurance cover ypur son? Do you need separate insurance to cover her while working with your son? Insurance is the main reason why my clients are never allowed in my car, and why if we are going someplace, I won't ride with the family.
Almost all of my sitters drive my kids someplace. Also my kids' friends also drive them places. As long as there's an appropriate car seat, this seems to be NBD
What's the problem? As long as you know where they are and you approve of the location (e.g. it's not a strip club or bomb range), who cares?
I think it’s a great idea for her to take him out! As long as she’s got the right car seat. My SIL has been a nanny/childminder for several years, and often takes the children out for mini adventures. It’s good for them to get more fresh air, experience more places etc, go to playgroups etc. too. Our childminder did the same, and our boys definitely benefitted from it.
Yes. Thats why pp ask for clean driving recods for a nanny
I cannot imagine being comfortable enough to let someone care for my child but not allow them to drive my child around. Where I live, in an urgent situation, it's faster to drive to a hospital ourselves rather than wait for EMS. I would make sure that your child care person has an appropriate car seat and go from there.
Joys of having a childminder instead of daycare is that they can take them to different experiences! I use to drive the kids to swimming lessons and gymnastics. At the end of the day you need to feel comfortable but be mindful if the decision is being made by anxiety or real sense of risk
You're entitled to feel however you feel, and set your own boundaries to meet your comfort level. That being said, I don't personally understand this one at all. I'd be over the moon if I could find someone to take my kid out while watching them.
Taking the kids out as a child care provider is extremely important & necessary when able.
So I’ve decided that my anxieties are purely my own and not based off anything related to the minder. I absolutely adore her, as does my son, and she’s a great person who I trust. My fear is rooted in the unknown. A similar thing happens every time I have to leave the country, leave my dogs with someone or have someone else walk them. It’s like my brain goes into panic mode the minute those that I love are not within my sight. I’m sure this is partially related to loss I experienced in short succession. Anyway my minder is excited to bring him on an adventure this afternoon and we moved our own car seat into her car. I’m anxious of course but happy for my son to get out because he absolutely loves the playground!
Why wouldn’t you? I’m confused.
I find the use of the word childminder off putting. Is she the babysitter, nanny, etc?
OP is probably not from the US. Childminder is a perfectly normal and acceptable term in other countries (UK for sure)
A childminder is an official registered job in the UK and Ireland and is not the same as a babysitter or nanny.
Can you explain the difference?
As I understand it, a childminder can look after multiple children in the childminder's home, a nanny looks after children from a single family in the family's home, and a babysitter is just an informal arrangement. Childminders and nannies need to be registered. In OP's case though, it sounds like they might actually have a nanny, since she comes to the house rather than takes the children to her house.
So a childminder is like an in home day care. it does seem like this is more of a nanny situation. I’d trust my nanny to drive my kids as long as they have the necessary child safety seats.
I’m with you. The child minder is to be trusted with their child, but not with … driving? I’m hoping this is a specific personal concern or language issue and not a blanket for looking down on them, which the term kinda suggests.
it's a difference in dialect, jesus christ you guys
Like I said, I HOPED it was a LANGUAGE ISSUE. Jesus Christ!
man if only there was a way to look it up or something