by mommyoftwo

Created on: December 31, 2008

Having a family and or friend watch your child might be convenient for you but is it really helping your child develop properly? In some ways I think it is and in some ways its not. I think there are more negative aspects to this than there are good benefits. I used to see nothing wrong with it until I myself had kids.

The cons of having relatives watching your child is you already know the family member and usually in most cases feel safe having them watch the kids. But they aren't getting the experience of having interaction with other kids. They need that to be able to function in the real world. If they always are with people that they have been around since birth then how can they feel comfortable with their teachers when they go to school.

Also most family members are more lenient on discipline the children too. They feel bad about doing it because they know the child and don't see them as often so they like to love and spoil and not discipline. Therefore the child is confused and often acts out because the discipline is so spread out. When they go to preschool or daycare the person doesn't know the child therefore has no problem discipline.

Another con is that a child needs to have a schedule and a learning environment. Children do learn a lot when they are with family members but there is so much more to learn when they are in an environment meant for kids. Family members usually just wing it when it comes to play time and other activities. As a preschool teacher I make it a habit to do the same thing at the same time every day. That way the child knows what to expect and what they are going to do next. They also get the benefit of being able to do things with friends their age and with the teacher one on one. There are so many more things to do in a child care place then out of the home.

There are pros of relatives doing child care. It is convenient for you as a parent. You know the person and you feel comfortable with them most of the time. It takes time to find and interview potential child care providers. And then you really never know what is going on the whole time your child is there. Sometimes parents do just drop by randomly to check up on them but most parents don't have time to do that. Having a trusted member of the family would put any parents mind at ease.

Another pro is that it would probably be cheaper. Most family members do the child care for free since it is a family member. Child care can be really expensive. And a family member can save a lot of money. Even when parents pay their family members it isn't half of what it cost somewhere else.

Whether you think it is a good thing for a family member to watch your child or a bad; it is ultimately up to you. Only you know what's best for your own child. It is your decision and your child. If you feel its better for the family to watch your child then a perfect stranger that is your decision.

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