Guest guest Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 Hi everyone, I have recently started back to work part-time in a nice position that relates to my education and I wouldn't want to give it up. Very flexible hours. My older daughter is in first grade, but my younger one turned three in June so I had to find a babysitter for her. I've been very happy that she accepted it so well. (I tried working when she was two, but she cried so much when I would leave her with a babysitter that it didn't last long.) She likes the babysitter and for the most part so do I. Yesterday though the babysitter said to me that she has a different little girl who will be there next week and she wants to make sure that my daughter, Josie, doesn't say anything to her about eating meat. Josie is going through phase, same as my older daughter did, where she asks everyone if they eat meat and then tells them that she doesn't. She never tells them that they are bad or anything like that. We have carefully taught her that we don't eat meat because it hurts animals (that is as much as she understands), but that other people do eat it and we still like those people. So anyway the babysitter tells me that the little girl can't be influenced not to eat meat because she recently fell from a 4-wheeler and needs the protein from meat to heal properly. I told her that was odd that she would need meat for that reason, but anyway that it would be hard for me to convince Josie not to say anything. (also, do I really want to teach Josie to be hush-hush about not eating meat??) I'm feeling worried that the babysitter may say something to Josie. I realize that it shouldn't really be a big deal, but it seemed like such a strange thing for her to say to me. Any suggestions from you guys? Do you think I should just forget about it or since my hours are flexible (only two days a week) should I offer not to bring Josie when the other girl is there? btw, the babysitter is not educable on veg nutrition...she constantly tells me how she needs meat because she is diabetic. (sigh) Sorry about the very long email...it's nice to know there are others out there. Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 If the parents of the other child are so brainwashed into thinking their daughter needs meat, maybe it's time for a little education. Your daughter is doing absolutely nothing wrong by talking to others about her eating choices and her beliefs. If you can't be sure this babysitter won't try to shut your daughter up about it, I'd really get her out of there if it were my little one. Telling her not to talk about her beliefs could easily make her think it's something to be ashamed of. Jill Wenzel <jillben2005 wrote: Hi everyone, I have recently started back to work part-time in a nice position that relates to my education and I wouldn't want to give it up. Very flexible hours. My older daughter is in first grade, but my younger one turned three in June so I had to find a babysitter for her. I've been very happy that she accepted it so well. (I tried working when she was two, but she cried so much when I would leave her with a babysitter that it didn't last long.) She likes the babysitter and for the most part so do I. Yesterday though the babysitter said to me that she has a different little girl who will be there next week and she wants to make sure that my daughter, Josie, doesn't say anything to her about eating meat. Josie is going through phase, same as my older daughter did, where she asks everyone if they eat meat and then tells them that she doesn't. She never tells them that they are bad or anything like that. We have carefully taught her that we don't eat meat because it hurts animals (that is as much as she understands), but that other people do eat it and we still like those people. So anyway the babysitter tells me that the little girl can't be influenced not to eat meat because she recently fell from a 4-wheeler and needs the protein from meat to heal properly. I told her that was odd that she would need meat for that reason, but anyway that it would be hard for me to convince Josie not to say anything. (also, do I really want to teach Josie to be hush-hush about not eating meat??) I'm feeling worried that the babysitter may say something to Josie. I realize that it shouldn't really be a big deal, but it seemed like such a strange thing for her to say to me. Any suggestions from you guys? Do you think I should just forget about it or since my hours are flexible (only two days a week) should I offer not to bring Josie when the other girl is there? btw, the babysitter is not educable on veg nutrition...she constantly tells me how she needs meat because she is diabetic. (sigh) Sorry about the very long email...it's nice to know there are others out there. Jill Kadee Sedtal " I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people. " -Jack Handey Everyone is raving about the all-new Mail beta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 that is so silly. i think it's wrong of the sitter to want to stifle your daughter. it doesn't sound like your daughter would tell the little girl that she was wrong anyway, is that right. like she would just ask if she ate meat and then comment that she didn't. i don't think that there's anything wrong with that. i would just mention to your daughter that this little girl eats meat and maybe she shouldn't bring it up, and then tell the sitter that you have asked your daughter not to say anything but you can't control what she says every minute. and it's not right for the sitter to say anything derogatory to your daughter for just expressing herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 I had a different reaction to the story....instead of being concerned over how to stifle your daughter's openness one time next week, I was thinking about how, in the long run, you're probably going to find this is an ongoing problem with your caregiver. Will she read labels before feeding your daughter something picked up at a local store? Will she take her to a fast food chain some time when they're out and there isn't time to get home for lunch? Will she ask questions if another mother offers a treat at the playground or on a playdate? It doesn't sound like she understands enough to respect your family's diet. Believe me, I understand how hard it is to get good childcare. If she's wonderful in every other way, it's a tough call. But clearly she doesn't " get it " , which means you'll have to do a lot more work to make sure that she doesn't accidentally feed your daughter animal products. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 Your daugther is doing nothing wrong. My 7 1/2 year old son still is proud to tell people he is Vegetarian, but dosn't try to change others. I would mention to her that the other child does eat meat, but I would not tell her not to bring it up! What's the worst that could happen, the girl goes home and says she doesn't want to eat meat? We all know that there is nothing wrong with that! (And I doubt she would do that anyways, LOL!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 Variety is the spice of life, eh. But this just reminds me why I am reluctant to leave our little one with any caregiver. We screen them really carefully. I am sure you do too. I don't know how old this sitter is. But I think I would sit her down and explain that it is her job to care for the children. Not to decide what they eat. That is the parents job. Your job for your kids. Other parents'/guardians' job for theirs. Full stop. Your kids are not to traumatise the other kids while in the sitter's care. But no one can control what they talk about. Maybe time to find a new sitter? BTW, I'd look for one that is first aid trained. Good luck with it ~Paul > Yesterday though the babysitter said to me that she has a different > little girl who will be there next week and she wants to make sure > that my daughter, Josie, doesn't say anything to her about eating meat. > Josie is going through phase, same as my older daughter did, where she > asks everyone if they eat meat and then tells them that she doesn't. > She never tells them that they are bad or anything like that. We have > carefully taught her that we don't eat meat because it hurts animals > (that is as much as she understands), but that other people do eat it > and we still like those people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.