Childminder - Looking after friends child.

[MaryPoppinsBag]

A close friend of mine has chosen another childminder to look after DC (10m)
I was gutted as I am just starting up, I never expected her to come to me as such as I didn't know the families working commitments. And grandparents are helping out.
I didn't realise until it happened how upsetting it would be.
However, after telling my family and select friends they have pretty much all said that it is for the best and that looking after friends children is not to be done.

CMs what is your experience on this issue? Am I being naive in thinking that it would have been doable?

It's the best thing. I will not look after any friends/relatives as mixing business with pleasure is a recipe for disaster.

Sorry you feel bad though.

I've heard this, but have only ever minded children of friends and family and it's been fine. Don't worry. It's even more upsetting when they leave

I agree with your family and friends! I only once ever took on a friend's child and that was as I knew it was a short term thing and at the time they said they wouldn't use anyone else. I wouldn't want to make a habit of it and certainly couldn't for a close friend, could ruin a great friendship if there ended up being a difference of opinion.

I think it could cause difficulties tbh

I knew my CM socially but we weren't "friends" we did become good friends but she had my dc a max of 2 days per week and tbh she is a very experienced and outstanding CM - she is actually one of their guardians.

The other way around could be a nightmare as there are ALWAYS things other people do differently that is irritating. Mine was that she didn't protect their clothes with bibs etc like I would have, completely minor and irrelevant and the dc came back having had a great time but it still "got" to me occasionally (blame the continual pregnant, breast feeding hormones!)

I have looked after a friends children under the very strict understanding that our business relationship was completely separate to our personally friendship. It was fine, but I have seen it go badly wrong for other minders.

I have also become close friends with a family I have been minding for for 7 yrs and it's very hard to approach them about non payment of bills, when I know they are struggling.

HSMM - that is a nightmare!

I regularly used to forget to collect one of my dc, I just had the wrong pick up time in my head - CM used to text me in the end

Thank you.
I will just have to get over it!
The reason cited was that my DC go to a different school that the one that they hope their DC to go to. But I was never approached and asked if I could.
A very awkward situation for all concerned. I guess she will be feeling it too.

I have got to stop wondering if there's anything else to the decision!

It comes at the end of a disappointing 6 months post registration where I have earned nothing because all my parents plans have fallen through!

Hopefully September will be kind to me.

I meant to say
I was never asked if I could do both schools - I could As there is a suitable time difference to get between the schools. But I guess these things change so it wouldn't be worth the risk in 4 years time.