When my baby brother was a toddler, we were living in a household which consisted of: My two parents, both of them in their mid/late 40s, both of whom love and are good with kids. Me, then college-age (home for summers, did lots of babysitting) Middle brother (then in his mid-teens, very responsible and good with kids) My parents' friend (same age, okay with kids) My parents' friend's son (mid-teens, middling responsible, okay with kids).
All of us pitched in with childcare at least some. This is a ratio of four adults and two teens to one toddler. And there were times it felt like he had us outnumbered and surrounded. Granted, he is autistic and had some special challenges there ... but dude, autism runs in the family, we're used to it.
In summary: HOLY CRAP is it important to get As Many People Around For Childcare as you can possibly get. One person is not enough. Two is not enough.
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My two parents, both of them in their mid/late 40s, both of whom love and are good with kids.
Me, then college-age (home for summers, did lots of babysitting)
Middle brother (then in his mid-teens, very responsible and good with kids)
My parents' friend (same age, okay with kids)
My parents' friend's son (mid-teens, middling responsible, okay with kids).
All of us pitched in with childcare at least some. This is a ratio of four adults and two teens to one toddler. And there were times it felt like he had us outnumbered and surrounded. Granted, he is autistic and had some special challenges there ... but dude, autism runs in the family, we're used to it.
In summary: HOLY CRAP is it important to get As Many People Around For Childcare as you can possibly get. One person is not enough. Two is not enough.