Hey guys. I really need help with this. I have been a childcare provider for many many years. I just started a new job with a little boy who just turned 2 and his little brother who is 3 months. The mom just went back to work and the little 2 year old cried for 5 hours today. I have dealt with kids who want their moms and everything has been fine within 1/2 hour at the max. It isn't that this little boy is being naughty. He is just heartbroken, he doesn't understand. The baby won't eat - he is used to being breastfed and will only eat about 3 ounces all day. I am 20 weeks pregnant and am completely exhausted already. I don't feel like taking on this job would be very wise. I don't know how to inform the family. I know they appreciate me a lot, and I really like the family. I just don't know how to tell them that this isn't going to work without them thinking that I hate their family. It is just that I feel the little boys need their mommy, I am exhausted, and also I do not think the mom is making too much when you actually consider childcare costs and other things. What can I do?

You are a professional; give them a professional opinion about the children's readiness to accept child care. Having done that, tell them that the physical demands caused by their unreadiness are too much for you to cope with. Recommending a replacement may be a way to soften all this. Cheers, sera

I am sure that in time, the little boy will become comfortable with you. I have watched many kids who were scared to be with me at first b/c I was new.

As for the baby, I would think the same. Prehaps you want to give it a couple of weeks before throwing in the towel. I think it is normal for children to go through this.

When you talk to the parents put the blame on your pregnancy rather than the boys. No parent wants to hear how sad their child is when they are away. I agree that it is alot to take on, you have to do what is best for your health and in the upcoming weeks you are just going to get more tired.

No offense but some children just don't ever become fine. My mom is also a childcare provider, for many years now, and she had this little girl around 2 also and she cried for hours every day. This went on for a very long time. My mom let her mom know this is what was happening but the mom just kept bringing her every day. This girl would stand by the door and cry all day long. As to the breastfed baby, it will eventually take to a bottle. It may take some time but the baby will eat when it gets hungry enough.
And you are right about the cost not being worth the job. I was talking about this to my accoutant and she said that for this tax season she only saw one family that having both parents work was worth the day care costs they paid. The family brought in 180000.00 and day care, I believe was 20000.00. I ask moms that I work with all the time, why they work full time and pay that much day care. It takes up over half their paycheck. They could get a part time job when their spouses are home and make the same amount. I work part time but my mom watches my 2 for free.