Email Having a relative or friend care for your child can be a good arrangement, and it is an option for many families. Parents know and trust the caregiver to spend quality time with the child, the location is familiar, and scheduling may be more flexible than with any other type of care. But, problems can arise with this type of arrangement.
Relative care can be lonely for the child.
Sensitive and completed family issues can arise that affect the child's care, and ideas about discipline might differ between the parents and the caregiver. Studies show that relatives or friends may watch your child just to help you out, not because they enjoy children and have selected child care as a career. They may not know about good child care or how to keep your child safe. When you are counting them to watch your child, at the last minute they may find something they would rather do. They might get sick, or have appointments of their own that would keep them from watching your child.