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AIBU?

To reconsider our childcare arrangements

29 replies

zirca · 20/06/2013 20:33

Currently, my baby is looked after by my parents while I work (part time). They have recently increased their pet population, and now have 2 cats and 4 dogs. The cats aren't a problem, but the dog breeds chosen haven't exactly been family pet types (think GSD, Doberman sort of thing - 2 of whom were rehomed to them as adults) and now there are so many of them, they are more of a 'pack' and less desperate to please humans all the time. There have been no signs of aggression and the dogs have not been a problem so far, but I'm getting increasingly worried about what will happen when my child starts to walk. Also, today the GSD (big heavy thing) jumped onto the sofa where the baby was, and scratched the baby on the face.

My parents don't see that there is a problem, and see today's scratch as 'one of those things'. My concern is what might have been, and that a dog that large was almost landing on the baby. Also the gps don't interact with the baby much during the day - they are busy and I obviously wouldn't expect them to do anything massively different as they're not being paid. Will that affect development e.g. speech etc? Baby is PFB so maybe I'm just over protective - am I being? We'd obviously have to pay for childcare otherwise. Is it worth it for peace of mind?

OP posts:
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ukatlast · 20/06/2013 20:36

YANBU get your baby out of there pronto....the 'just one of those things' attitude is where the real danger lies.

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OwlinaTree · 20/06/2013 20:36

Use a nursery. You will be calmer.

IMHO 4 dogs is too risky.

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turnipsoup · 20/06/2013 20:38

Go with yoir instinct, you would never forgive yourself or your parents if something happened. I've done both, GPs looking after DS2, and before that CM looking after DS1. Both have their ups and downs, but do you know what? Both my DS's are well rounded, confident kids.

But I think if you have concerns about the dogs (and I would too) you should look at alternatives

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ratbagcatbag · 20/06/2013 20:38

Get paid childcare, and I say that as a total dog lover.

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LunaticFringe · 20/06/2013 20:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KittensoftPuppydog · 20/06/2013 20:39

I love dogs. My dog is an angel, but I'd even worry about a puppy introduced into this situation.
Yanbu

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 20/06/2013 20:40

I'd be worried too about that many dogs, especially their breeds and backgrounds.

Looking for a nursery (or CM) would be my priority right now.

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RikeBider · 20/06/2013 20:41

Find a nice childminder. If your parents are too relaxed about the baby's safety around the dogs now it will get worse when she's a toddler.

With paid childcare you can ask for things and know that the day is geared around children's activities.

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WilsonFrickett · 20/06/2013 20:47

I have no problem with dogs BUT 4 dogs is a lot and as you say I'd be worried about pack behaviour. 2 dogs who have been rehomed would definitely worry me as you have no idea about their temprement or triggers.

And of course, if they're not actually doing anything with DS then really, no, I'd change this arrangement.

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Nanny0gg · 20/06/2013 20:47

Even if the dogs weren't an issue (which they are; a massive one), this 'Also the gps don't interact with the baby much during the day - they are busy and I obviously wouldn't expect them to do anything massively different as they're not being paid.' would bother me.
They are looking after their GC. Presumably they either offered or agreed. So they should do something different they should look after your DC. That includes keeping the dogs away (for as long as they look after their DGC) and interacting with your baby.
Payment or not has nothing to do with it.

But if I were you, I'd look elsewhere.

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Alibabaandthe40nappies · 20/06/2013 20:49

YANBU

They sound almost negligent.

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PurpleSwift · 20/06/2013 21:02

I don't think you are being unreasonable. 4 dogs can easily get carried away and if your parents are some what laid back about it, it isn't a good combo. I do think the scratch is just one of those things, but i do understand your concerns.

I DO think you are being unreasonable to refer to them as not being ' family pet types' !? Dog breed has very little bearing on how they work within a family.

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fabergeegg · 20/06/2013 21:07

I have kept dogs all my life (see my thread about my DD turning feral!) but I honestly think you have a big problem. What your parents are attempting to do is foolish.

My dog is only safe in situations that I'm monitoring at some level, despite being chosen for her child-friendly breed and temperament. She was also carefully protected from negative experiences around children and trained with a view to being around children. These rescue dogs don't have any of that and you're not even going to be there to watch like a hawk. You don't know what these dogs will do when your baby staggers over and makes a dive/ tries to scrunch up a handful of fur/ give a good shove with a sharp piece of lego. I don't think it was a good idea to have your parents look after the baby in the first place.

How rotten for you.

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fabergeegg · 20/06/2013 21:09

purpleswift I have to disagree. Some breeds tend on the whole to work better around children than other breeds.

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DontmindifIdo · 20/06/2013 21:10

YANBU - Move to paid childcare.

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Fairylea · 20/06/2013 21:11

Yanbu.

Even without the dogs you need childcare. Not just child "watching" which is what they seem to be doing, and not doing that well either!

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shazbean · 20/06/2013 21:21

I second fabergeegg.
I've always had dogs, but had a gap when we had DD. We spent almost a year looking for the right dog for our family once we thought DD Was old enough and we could teach her to respect a pet - we would have loved a rescue dog but because you are never sure of their background we were advised by the centre to get a puppy, which we did in the end.

We have a large dog and she is great with DD, who is 5 Btw, but I would not trust her and they are supervised or separated at all times, for both their sakes.

In your situation I would make alternative arrangements.

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shazbean · 20/06/2013 21:21

Forgot to add, ASAP.

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thebody · 20/06/2013 21:24

I was a childminder for years and wouldn't dream of allowing the minders and cat in the same room without supervision.

I had to have a policy about the cat for ofsted and quite right.

You get the idea? Move move move.

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ConfusedPixie · 20/06/2013 21:25

"Also the gps don't interact with the baby much during the day - they are busy and I obviously wouldn't expect them to do anything massively different as they're not being paid." - That would bother me because it's actually very bad for a baby to not be interacted with, they learn so much through interaction and speech before they are a year old and it's a crucial time for development that does affect them for the rest of their lives.

The dog thing would be the tip of the iceberg to me. get your child out of there pronto!

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firesideskirt · 20/06/2013 21:31

This is not a good arrangement for anyone. You need to find proper responsible childcare for your baby. How about a childminder?

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Dackyduddles · 21/06/2013 07:24

With the stories of maulings of children in the press usually being in a home atmosphere (grandparents to friends) and by all sizes of dogs (jack Russell to Doberman) I personally would have to use a childminder/nursery. It might be a small chance that something bad would happen but it's too late isn't it if something does.

Particularly as GPS are busy and not necessarily watching every movement of learning to walk child. It's hard enough with a cat tbh (I have two often wishing I didn't now with toddler), at least they avoid baby like plague, dogs aren't quite like that. I love dogs but they need careful looking after for their own safety don't they?

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Homebird8 · 21/06/2013 07:32

the gps don't interact with the baby much during the day

Babies need interaction. Both babies and dogs need taking care of. How part-time is your work? Do your parents have other responsibilities that take up their time?

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candyandyoga · 21/06/2013 07:35

No way. Yours parents are being very blasé and negligent. Don't take your baby there and tell them exactly why. I am shocked at their stupid attitude.

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raisah · 21/06/2013 08:23

Get a cm or nursery to care for your child, the financial cost is worth it for your peace of mind. My cm had a dig but she has it in a large cage or in the garden away from the children as recommended by Ofsted. Your parents wouldnt pass the Ofsted/council health & safety checks if they were childminders. I think relatives looking after kids should be inspected like cms are because some relations do get away with shocking behaviour.

You are right about the pack mentality, people forget that dogs are descended from wolves so that behaviour never really goes away. Some dogs are better with children but other breeds aren't, take the scratch in the face as a warning sign.

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