Wibu to ask my babysitter to play more quietly or even just watch my child? And how do I phrase nicely.

[peanutbuttersarnies]

I have a new babysitter who watches my 14 month old at home while I work. She is great and he loves her. But the play is quite boisterous. I can hear them doing tickle games and whooshing him round while he giggles. Which is all nice, but it hypes him up. While it's ok at 14 months. She will hopefully be my babysitter for a while and as they get closer to 2 you don't want them being hyped up unnecessarily. She doesn't have kids of her own. And I think she doesn't maybe realise this finer point of childcare.
Do you think Iabu? Should I just relax and like the fact she is good with him? And hope her play quietens down once she gets to know him better.
My own mum is a childminder and ex teacher and she has a lovely quiet way with children where she observes and talks to them but takes their lead. And sometimes just let's them play themselves. But it's difficult to explain what I mean. And I don't want to offend her as she is lovely.

Can you not just put a "wind down " time into the routine. ?

I think the fact you are at home has something to do with it, she's probably nervous in case you can't hear her 'doing her job.'

Give it a while before you say anything, can she not take him out to the park or for a walk?

Perhaps you could suggest some alternative activities that he'd enjoy, that would also be quieter - reading stories, craft activities, puzzles etc.

If you need total quiet when working then it's probably not a great idea to be in the same house as a 14 mo. They do get noisy, whether someone is hyping them up or not!

Don't, at this point.

Thanks. I am not worried about them disturbing me. I don't need total quiet. I think giving a few activities and wind down times will help. I will maybe try that. Agree that she maybe is paranoid that I am listening in and needs to be busy all the time. That's why I wondered if I needed to maybe tell her to chill a bit.

Perhaps you could phrase it like ' I've left you some magazines there so if ds is playing by himself for a bit you can have a quiet 5 mins while watching him, I find now he's getting older he does like some time to play by himself'

You'll have to judge that she's sensible enough not to take this as not watching him at all

Thanks Valium. That sounds good wording

Maybe just point out how much he is enjoying playing on his own and assure her that she doesn't need to entertain him the whole time. Are we talking an entire day or just a couple of hours? If the latter, I can't see a problem really.

Since I assume she's not qualified in childcare, she may not have an idea about different types of play. She sounds like she's doing a good job, all things considered.

If it goes well, can you come round here and have the same conversation with my DH?

Yeah, what valium said! Totes agree that she might be fishbowling.