Onthaalmama (babysitter)

Yesterday I signed my contract for school year 2008 - 2009. I will start school this Monday already, I am excited but at the same time sad. I will have to leave Raidon to a babysitter. There's nothing to worry about because the government is strict with people working as babysitter. They have monthly unannounced visit to check if the babies are doing well and if the babysitter is taking good care of the children she's attending to. They're not allowed to have more than 4 children in their home and there are standard requirements before they can tend to other people's children, like making the whole house safe for the baby, each baby should have their own bed to sleep on, there has to be a lot of space for them to be able to run around and play, the house should be clean and smoking is certainly not allowed!

There's a babysitter across our house and I went there to ask if she still have a place for one. She seemed friendly but then again I really don't know her so well. After a few months, Nick noticed that the woman spends most of her afternoon outside her house at the corner of the street to gossip with other people while she lights a cigarette after the other. Who's looking after the children then? No one! So I called the office and asked them if they can find me another babysitter around my city because I will not bring my child to that woman. A few days later, an inspector came and took her permit. I don't feel sorry for her. She's paid to take care of the children not gossip!

Another reason why I don't have to worry about Petra is because she lives across my sister-in-law's house and probably 100 - 200 meters away from Raidon's omi and opi. But still, not spending time with my baby is making me feel sad. On the other hand, he'd get to spend his time with other children unlike at home or at oma's. If he's a year older and he can walk already, he can then play and run around with other kids which is a lot better than to have no playmates at all.