L.B.
Hello Peggy,
I have read all the other posts and I have another perspective to offer. From a mother's point of view, I would NOT want anyone who is watching my child to be doing it when they don't really want to. That is not a good situation for you and especially for the baby. Infants are hard enough to deal with and if there is any resentment toward the situation that this little one brings to you, you don't want the baby to pick up on the stress that causes you. That is not fair to either one of you. As a mother, I would want to know that my childcare provider needs out of the deal. Mostly for the sake of my child. Let this mother know you are no longer in a position to continue this arrangement. The infant has a right to be with a childcare provider that is ready, able and willing to take on the responsibity of caring for it. This is not about what is right for the friendship, money, you, the mother or anything else. It is about that baby getting top quality care from an interested and able party. There is NO fault on you for not being that party at this time. But you do have the responsibility of being honest and saying this is simply not where you are at right now.