Is it normal to feel unsure about your CM???

[luckymummy2Sophie]

Hi, my dd is 4 mths old and will be going to a CM in Jan 07 when she is 7 mths old. I have booked a CM who lives (& works) 2 min walk from where I work. I'm feeling apprehensive about leaving dd with someone who is not family, I'm sure this is normal but would appreciate some reassurance. We are going once a week for an hour together at the moment, and dd will go more in Dec as part of settling in period. The CM is registered and member of NCMA, has 10 yrs exp.

It all depends whether you are unsure about leaving your baby, full stop or whether you are unsure about leaving her with THIS childminder.

this is a natural feeling
but if it is just that cm then i think you should look elsewhere
but if you feel you would be the same if your child went to a different cm or nursery then its just nerves

I think that every parent whose baby I have ever minded (unless they were friends in the first place), was extremely nervous about leaving their child with me (or any other paid carer). It's usually something they have admitted to many months down the line!!

No matter how many times you may have visited with your baby, or how many short settling-in sessions the baby may have done beforehand, there is something a bit different when it comes to leaving your child somewhere and actually going to work.

All mummies (dare I be so sexist??) do a guilt trip about working whether they have to do it or want to do it. I've minded for close friends, who obviously know me well and trust me implicitly, and even they do a guilt trip!

If you have actual concerns about this particular childminder, then that is a different issue altogether.