candlequeen
16-09-2011, 02:28 PM
I started looking after a six month old baby at the beginning of the summer - just 6 hours a week at first. She was settling in OK but after a few weeks the family went away on holiday for 3 weeks. They've been back a few weeks, the mum decided to up the hours to 9 hours, over 3 3-hour sessions each week. But since they've been back the baby has developed separation anxiety, and basically cries the whole time only stopping if I carry her and walk around with her.
The trouble is this isn't possible, but if I leave her to cry it upsets my own 3 year old and other mindees who are only around 12 months old themselves.
I'm sure it's just a phase, and eventually she will grow out of it, however, I wondered if any of you who have a lot of experience of babies could advise if perhaps the short sessions of 2 to 3 hours three times a week are not the best way to do this. Perhaps longer sessions less frequently might be better? Or just building up gradually again from very short stints? Or any other advice basically on how to approach this.
The mum is due to return to work in January and would like me to do 30 hours a week then, which situation suits me well (provided she does eventually settle!) so although it's not important business at the moment I don't want to lose her if possible.
The trouble is this isn't possible, but if I leave her to cry it upsets my own 3 year old and other mindees who are only around 12 months old themselves.
I'm sure it's just a phase, and eventually she will grow out of it, however, I wondered if any of you who have a lot of experience of babies could advise if perhaps the short sessions of 2 to 3 hours three times a week are not the best way to do this. Perhaps longer sessions less frequently might be better? Or just building up gradually again from very short stints? Or any other advice basically on how to approach this.
The mum is due to return to work in January and would like me to do 30 hours a week then, which situation suits me well (provided she does eventually settle!) so although it's not important business at the moment I don't want to lose her if possible.