by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: January 31, 2009

Family babysitters are a treasure reminiscent of times long ago when we all stayed fairly close to home and had lots of extended family around. If that is the case in your family consider yourself blessed. As with most blessings the situations are mixed.

Family sitters rarely follow the house rules. They seem to believe that because they are a grandma or an aunt they are somehow excluded from the rules. They tend to be very relaxed about the behavior and just have a good time. The children may have a sugar high and missed naps when parents come home.

Family members can become resentful if they are often asked and receive nothing for babysitting. Most probably insist that they need no pay, but do something. Make them cookies. Do some shopping for them. Mow their lawn. Something that shows gratitude for the time they spend babysitting is appreciated. If you can afford it, pay them for their services.

It is a well known fact that babysitters spend some time talking or texting to people other than the children they are watching. Families tend to gossip more about other family members. If there are family tensions chances are the children will hear about them. Families tend to talk and children are like mini tape recorders. They may hear and repeat things that make family situations even more uncomfortable.

On the other hand, family members love the children and have their best interests at heart. There aren't any concerns that they don't love the children.

Members of your family are more likely to accept last minute invitations to babysit. They are often more willing to help out in a pinch.

Sometimes family members are available to have the children overnight in their homes. This can be very helpful if there is an early morning appointment. The children can get the rest they need and be picked up after the appointment.

Allowing the children to understand the term family includes many people and they have a large support group is a wonderful present. Knowing they are loved and safe in many different homes does great things for the self-esteem and feeling of security in a child.

As can clearly be seen there are pros and cons to having the family babysitting. The best solution is probably a healthy mix. It amazing how many times a good balance of different things is a key to things we need to learn. Social skills will improve as the children meet and learn how to deal with new sitters. If they enjoy a daycare they will learn tolerance and how to deal with others there own age. When they stay with grandma they will feel unconditional love. Shake it up and educate the children.

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