What would you do?

[Spixie33]

I had this same situation come up a few months ago.

I had someone I knew that really really wanted a spot for her 1 year old but it meant I would have to take her older child who is 9 after school for about 45 minutes. The older child spends half the month at their father's house and 1/2 with the mother (shared custody) so about 8-10 days of the month I would be over possibly for 1 hour (until 4)

I also have another child who usually gets picked up between 3-4 which would then eliminate the issue or might mean I have 6 kids here for 10-15 minutes only. So far it has worked out that it has only happened once where I have been over. The timing has been going pretty good.

I really had to think and weigh the whole situation and even composed an email telling the mom I could not do it but then I talked to some people on this board and all people I know in the real world and they encouraged me to do it based on the short amount of time.

Next year the child for after school will turn 10 and won't count in my numbers anyways. I am counting the days.

Sometimes I am out with 6 kids and then I feel like the whole neighbourhood is watching and I feel self conscious but I love the younger sibling I took on and the family.

I tell myself that it is okay because the child that puts me over is only here such a short amount of time plus they are 9. It would be different if I took on another 15 month old for 8 hours a day - right?

I don't know if I made the right decision.

I understand your dilemma completely. I hope you find a good solution that works for you.