I told myself this is bonkers but after spending 2 hours start and stopping mopping the kitchen floor I’m semi tempted.
There’s a little girl, let’s call her Rosie who’s friends with my neighbours little girl who is slightly younger (Lily*).
Rosie is spending a fair amount of time with my neighbour as they’ve got a childcare arrangement this summer whereby both kids keep switching between houses between holiday clubs. I’ve also had Lily over here over the years when neighbour has needed a hand. So while I don’t know Rosie’s mum she could potentially be reassured by Lily’s mum that I’m not a complete nutter.
This summer I’ve had more than usual invites over to Lily’s house as the girls would like to play with my DD (not yet one). It’s been great, I’ve been able to enjoy a hot coffee whilst the girls play with DD. I can tell that Lily gets bored after a short while and that it’s obviously Rosie’s idea to invite us over.
Rosie is stuck to DD. Even if I’m holding DD, she’ll want to hold her had and engages with conversation about her. She says she loves babies, her younger cousins and even invited us over to her house! (Could you imagine the post about a CF who left a one year old for a ‘play date’). Rosie has offered to babysit for free!
As this thread is already long enough, I know it’s completely bonkers to get in contact with Rosie’s mum and ask if Rosie would like to come over to a strangers house an hour here and there to play with DD. I have a pile of clothes I need iron which is just impossible to do during the day, and by the time DD goes to bed I’m knackered. I’d obviously be supervising, it’s just for Rosie to keep DD entertained while I run around to do chores. I’d be happy to pay a nominal amount as I’d feel I was taking advantage of Rosie’s good nature, but maybe I’m talking myself into this, but maybe do her mum a favour too if she finds herself stuck for childcare herself?