Another question in our mailbox this week… 

Hi May and Kay!
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I hope you’re doing well today!
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First, I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. I’ve been reading it for a year and a half now and you guys always have such interesting topics. It has really helped me in many different ways!
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I have a question for you guys and for the Cribsheeters! I want to book a flight to travel back home to Atlanta with the baby in the next month or two. We’ve never been on a flight before and it will just be me and her (my husband is saving his PTO for when our daycare is closed this summer).

She will be 5 months old next week. I’m really nervous about it, though! I’m just not sure how she will react being in such a strange environment in the airport and in the plane, being around strange people, the sensation of her ears popping mid-flight, etc.

I’m also not sure when to fly…should I book the flight for nighttime so she will sleep through it all? Or will that backfire and will she not be able to sleep in public in the midst of all the commotion (she does sometimes need it to be quiet to sleep, unfortunately). Should I get an aisle seat or a window seat? And what do I do if she cries mid-flight? I’d really love advice from anyone that has flown with an infant before!
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Amy of Woodbury

A question from T. of St. Paul….

My husband and I are going away for several days in March, and a babysitter couple that we use will be staying with the kids.  We have no idea what to pay them.  Wondering if Cribsheeters have some ideas of the going rate for long-term sitters.Â
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Salient facts:

husband-wife couple in their late twenties,
we know them well and the kids love them,
will be staying overnight with two kids, 3 and 6 on weekdays,
will drop kids off at schools/daycare and pick them up at the end of the day,
and in between they’ll both go to work (obviously, if a kid is sick they will have to take the day off from work)
on weekend, will drop off/hang out at a couple of activities (circus class and sunday school)
they will be with the kids for essentially 5 nights and 6 days

Cribsheeters?

Today we have a great question from Cribsheet’s in-box prompted by last weeks post “Day Care Decline” regarding childcare and the current economy.
Any other parents or providers want to weigh in?

What is the normal policy of providers when families are expecting baby #2? Our completely-reliable and otherwise-terrific home day care provider is balking at holding a spot for baby #2, because her next opening is much sooner than baby will arrive. I’m curious about what others have experienced. What’s fair, and what’s not? Should we be expected to pay for those open months? I don’t think so, but out of respect for my provider, I don’t want her to forgo income, either.

- Jennifer

We just can’t get enough DeRusha this week. Well tonight on WCCO during the 10 pm news his “Good Question” is…
“Parents: When should you keep your kid home from school? Ever purposely send your child sick to daycare?”

The topic was prompted by this article yesterday in the New York Times: “The Cough and Sniffle Question - When to Keep a Child Home?”
I myself struggled and wrung my hands about it last week. Ben was totally himself, in a great mood, no fever, but had a dry cough. Sent him to daycare.
Over the weekend it progressively got worse and now he has a double ear infection. All the questions that fly around in your head. “Would he have gotten better if he had stayed home?” “Was he contagious when he didn’t seem to be?” The last thing I want to do is get any other kids sick and also since we’re in a home daycare - if our provider gets sick then no one gets to go. Oy. The parental guilt.

What’s your rule of thumb -And have you purposely sent your sick child to daycare?

Jason will be peeking in on your responses this afternoon - and some may even be used in tonight’s spot. You can also comment over at his DeBlog.

From Cribsheet’s inbox a few weeks ago….sorry for the time lag…but the question’s still relevant!

Okay, so I’m at work two days before Christmas and needless to say, not working much. My mind was wandering to all the fun activities that will be available to my dramatic and active daughter when she turns 3 in a couple months.   She loves to dance, sing and pretend constantly so I thought I’d research fun preschool dance and theater classes.  Any Cribsheeters out there have some recommendations for a place that offers such classes? 

Elizabeth in St. Paul