adventures with baby

After visiting the daycare centers, I wasn’t sure which way to go.  For now, we’re going to use an in-home babysitter.  That would be in her home.  Today, I took Thomas to meet her.  She is a mom from the school where I work.  She also watches another baby who just turned one.  I first met with her when I was still pregnant. I got a good feeling from her, and I liked how she interacted with the other baby.   One big concern is that he will ride in the car with her.  I am not crazy about that, but I couldn’t find a single babysitter who wasn’t going to have to go in the car with him. Another concern is the tax benefit.  There is a decent child-care tax credit.  However, my work offers a pre-tax dependent care flexible spending account (as I posted yesterday).  I signed up for it today, and learned more about it.  There is a maximum of $5,000 and I signed up for the max.  I learned that I am able to pay a babysitter, and it doesn’t have to be a licensed childcare facility.  When I turn in my claim form each time, she will have to sign it.  That means she would have to declare the income from babysitting.  I told her about that today, and she said she’ll talk to her husband about it.  I guess we’ll have to see what he says.  We had a nice talk today, and I tried to explain what he likes and what works for him.  As I’ve posted before, he is not a good napper.  He does nap, it’s just not on a routine.  Once I start back at work, I will be on a regular schedule, and that might help him too.  Maybe with her experience, she’ll be better at “getting” the baby to nap.   So, next Thursday is the big day.  My husband and I will go over to her house one evening to bring the Pack N Play for his naps and he’ll get to meet the babysitter.  I already told my boss that I’ll be crying on Thursday.  I just hope Thomas does all right without me. 

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