Instincts or paranoia?

[Midnightfoxes]

I’m far from an anxious or helicopter parent, but sometimes I get a strong instinct not to allow certain people to care for DD when they’ve offered. It isn’t based on anything they have done or said, it’s just a really strong gut feeling I get. So I always politely decline. (This doesn’t happen often, only 2/3 people who we know.)

I happily leave her with my mum and close friends, and trust she will be in good care, so I don’t think it’s me having separation anxiety or anything like that.

I trust my instincts, but I’m wondering if it’s normal to feel this way - and if anyone else does. Or does it sound more like anxiety/paranoia? Tia.

It’s probably unconscious bias.

Why would anyone who isn’t your mum/close friends offer to have her? Doesn’t seem unreasonable or paranoid - most of us are only comfortable with someone we are very close to looking after our DCs, unless they are qualified childcare professionals.