CM Club: Tricky tot!

[mogs0]

I have been minding a baby since January only one day per week. She is always happy when she arrives but as the day goes on she gets more and more upset. She doesn't really sleep for any length of time (which makes her grumpy) and I find she's only really happy when being fed or out in the buggy. When she has everyone's undivided attention she's happy but screams if you look at something else or play with one of the others.

The worst time of the day is between 4.30 and 6pm. I feed her first in the hope that she'll be content for 15mins while I get the other children's tea on the table then we all sit together at the table.

I have now started taking her home instead of parents collecting as I find the 20 min walk to her house calms her.

I'm thinking of asking the parents to collect her at 4.30 instead of 6 to see if this helps the situation otherwise I'll have to give her notice as it's stressing me out so much and isn't fair on the other children that are here.

Any advice? Which do you think would be best; finding alternative childcare for one day a week or reducing the hours?

Sounds very similar to a baby I'm currently looking after mogsO. I look after her older sister too and have the pair of them full time. I can appreciate how stressful it can be as baby is constantly wanting attention and cuddles, which is fine when you can give it but difficult when you're trying to do stuff with others or putting out hot food etc when its just not possible to hold a baby!
How old is the baby you have? It is possible she'll start to 'grow out' of her grumpiness although if you've had her since Jan and there's been no change then I can appreciate you're feeling a bit fed up. Have you spoken to the parents about it? What do they say? Do they have any top tips or is she the same with them? Do you feel as though you want to give the parents notice...or for one day a week is it worth just grinning and bearing it?! Hard I know.

She's 10 months.

One of my other mindees (10 months when he started) was exactly the same but at that time I only looked after him and my ds so it was easier to give more attention to mindee. However, it took 6 months for him to stop crying. Now, he's a dream and it's hard to believe that he was so difficult to look after. But I don't think I could handle another 3 months of crying (even if it's only 1 day a week!). I'm sure she will grow out of it and I know it's because she's used to having lots of attention from her devoted parents and grandparents!!

She's just not used to having to share with 2 other children (and one of them is only here from 3.30pm) who need attention too!!

I've got a couple of weeks off from her so I will have a good think about what I should say to her parents. I think I'll suggest a shorter day and see if that's a possible solution.