by Lindsay Horvath

Created on: January 27, 2009   Last Updated: October 04, 2010

As a new parent, one of the first things I learned was that grandparents are built-in babysitters! So are aunts, uncles, and cousins. In some families, even older siblings can serve as babysitters. My son was barely out of the womb before his grandparents were offering to take him for the day or inviting him to spend the night. In the early weeks of life with a baby, I graciously accepted this help because it provided a chance for me to spend a little time with my husband or actually sleep more than three hours at a clip.

As my child grew older, I continued to reap the benefits of having family around as caretakers...and I was also starting to see a few of the downfalls. Having family there to help you raise and take care of your children is invaluable, but they are not always the best choice as babysitters. There are many pros and cons to having your family members take care of your child.

Pros

When it comes to leaving your children with family, the greatest pro is the security you have in knowing that your child will be well cared for. Of course, you might worry; all parents do. But knowing your child is tucked safe in bed with your own parents just downstairs is extremely comforting. Having people that you love and trust unconditionally taking care of your offspring is beneficial in many ways. You will worry less and you will trust their judgment. You will also be better equipped for your time away, whether it's enjoying a night out, being able to focus on a doctor's appointment, or being able to take your time running errands, rather than rushing to get home to your children.

There is also great comfort in knowing that your child's caregiver knows them well. Grandma and Grandpa are more likely than not going to know why your child is crying, how to comfort him, what his favorite snacks are, and when he's trying to pull a fast one. Since they also know YOU as well, they will know how you would handle situations and will hopefully be sensitive to that. Of course, grandparents are well known for spoiling their grandkids...but very few kids are going to go to bed without socks or without their favorite teddy bear under Grandma's watchful eye.

Flexibility is another pro when it comes to using your family as babysitters. When the kids are staying with a relative, you are more likely to have leeway on when you pick them up. On the other hand, when you hire a paid caretaker, you are committed to being home at a certain time. Your sister is going to be a lot more

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