I like the paying the older siblings idea. that way they are close in the house so you can help if you need to, and also they are less ecpensive than a regular sitter.
Perhaps you could hire a regular sitter 2 days and pay the older ones 2 other days. That way you have 4 clear days at about the same price.
Also I had a mothers helper, but she was 12-13. Not really old enough to be left alone with the little ones, bit old enough to be responsible. She also was less than a regular sitter.
I have tried this summer to get up early (bummer) and do the work before the kids a really roused and ready. So by 10 when they are "Soooo Booored" I can tell them 1 hour til lunch, the 12 we can go to the pool if you LEAVE ME ALONE! Of course I hae 2 and they are 9 & 7.
Best wished to ya....summer will be over soon....
I really can't believe the response and support from all of you. Thank you so very much!!!
Actually, we have tried using the older ones, but that isn't working out very well either. The two middle ones just don't want to listen to their older sister telling them what to do. So......
We have set up an area for them to play games, work puzzles, etc, and they have full reign of a wonderful outside play area. But I think the "newness" still has to wear off of the bakery and then there are only a few more weeks of summer vacation here and all three of the older ones will be in school and we'll just left w/ the little guys ages 4 and 2 1/2.
They are the easy ones!!!!
We live in upper East Tennessee, near the Virgina and North Carolina borders. Pretty rural area.
Just for the record, we tried rope, duct tape, royal icing and industrial strength plastic film wrap. NOTHING WORKS!!! Slippery little suckers, aren't they???
Thanks again and please, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, oh and if you have any extra prozac, please send it Fed Ex!!!!!!
julzs71 Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 18, 2006
Posts: 522
Posted:
Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:34 am
Could you have your nine year old take care of her 4 & 5yr old and her 10 yr old take care of your 2yr old? Give them activities to do at different times so they aren't all together at the same time.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14224
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:45 am
Trust me the newness wears off! My 15 year old cries how she can't get fired. "Working for mom S*CKS!" she says!
Way back when, when I first started out of my home, my son was 2. I'd lay a dining room chair across the door opening from the dining room to the kitchen. He'd stand, lifting his little leg, trying to climb over the chair, crying 'coz he wanted in the kitchen. Tuff. Mommy was working and he could go play.
Today, and being an off-site caterer, the work is hard, hot, and exhausting. NONE of my kids are really interested in working for mom.
As my youngest told my son, when he returned from the Marines, and when I offered to let him help me on events for extra money until he found a job, she told him, "John .... you may know what it's like to be a Marine ... but you've got NO IDEA what it's like to work for mom!" So this former 2 year old little boy who tried desparately to get into my kitchen, and now as a former Marine, he's just not interested in working that hard!
pay the 9 & 10 year olds to watch the other three.
also good training for them later on.
I agree with this... My 11 year old is almost certified in child care
Paying them will help you... lay the law down that the meaning of childcare is to keep the younger ones busy and out of your hair
k8memphis Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 21, 2005
Posts: 967
Posted:
Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:10 pm
I'm the odd man out on this. 9 & 10 is too young to seriously babysit kids that little on an ongoing basis. Once in a blue moon for an hour maybe. I mean even if they were all 10--five ten year old's watching each other or something? I don't think so. Five children need some good supervision while Mom's are busy churning out the cakes.
The whole point is to not have to lay down the law. If you lay down the law you gotta be ready to back that up so you're right back in the bowl of kid soup there and now your best help is in trouble. Yeah no the dynamic is all wrong I think.
Hire somebody is my advice.
And what part of Tennessee are you all in?
edited to say: oh oh oh oops you said upper East 10 --gotcha!
k8,
I have to say that I agree with you. I think an older, more mature sitter will be our best bet. In fact, spoke with my sitter for my 2 year old and she is more than willing to take my 9 year old a day or two a week for the summer months. She keeps several teacher's kids and could use the extra money, and after dealing w/ this crisis, I could use the extra help!!
I want my 9 year old to enjoy her summer too, even if it is half over here. They only get a 10 week break for vacation.
Thanks again to all!!!!! Love to get your advice and will keep listening.
mary-ann Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 05, 2005
Posts: 299
Location: Southern New Jersey
Birthday: May 03
Posted:
Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:20 pm
If the sitter doesn't work out maybe you could split the work so that one of you has the kids and the other is working?
I don't think a 9 and 10 year old are mature enough to handle that kind of work! Heck...I don't think I was mature enough and I was 25 when I had my first child!
Hire someone to watch the kids. Yes it is a huge sacrifice.
Also, could you do some of the work at night when kiddos are in bed?
I have done a ton of arts and crafts for shows and it was ALWAYS after my little darlings were out. I am still that way. I do most of my decorating at night because as old as my kids are they are still underfoot, dragging friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, a DIL and grandchild, etc.
Most of my gum paste work is done late at night. It is the only time I get peace and quiet.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
So this former 2 year old little boy who tried desparately to get into my kitchen, and now as a former Marine, he's just not interested in working that hard! 
