Babysitter Accidently Scratched Son's Face

Really? Do you want to insult her? You said she was great and that it was an accident. Let it go.

Really?? You can't be serious!!! I have done this to all of my children on accident. And it's exactly that...an accident!!!

I say drop the issue. If she's a great sitter, and she did it on accident it's not something to make a major issue over.

Jilly, back when my kids were tiny, I did not get upset over things that happened with our daycare provider if those things could have happened in our own home. You could have accidentally scratched your son, had a jagged nail that you hadn't filed yet. Most of us have accidentally hurt our child in some way. I am sure that your sitter feels just terrible and I don't think it's necessary to speak with an intelligent adult about filing their nails after a one time accident.

I accidentally scratched my son in the face. Nobody reminded me. It just happens. It was a fluke, as I'm sure it was with your babysitter. He moved, my hand was trying to position him, and, bam. It was all the way gone within a week or so. I've also scratched him on the eyelid, banged his head in the doorway, stepped on his toes, given him a bite of hot food. I could go on and on. He's a happy little camper, and my third child. Nobody's perfect. But, it is hard to find a good babysitter. If she's good, she's mature enough to know what she needs to do without a reminder. :)

I would absolutely ignore it. Accidents happen. Everyone moves on.

I've scratched mine before with a finger nail and even my diamond on my ring. I've felt horrible because they were accidents and obviously avoidable. I think some of the previous posters were spot on...let it go. I can almost bet she feels bad that it even happened, you said she is a great sitter, and it was an accident. I think a nail kit gift would be an insult...does she normally have jagged nails?

i'm sure she's aware of it and feels badly. i would go in the other direction, assuring her that you know it was an accident and that the world is full of oopses, and that you are perfectly aware that she wouldn't deliberately hurt your baby for the world.
i'd bet dimes to doughnuts that those nails are already filed smooth.
great babysitters are treasures.
khairete
S.

If you have a good sitter don't say something that is hurtful and insulting.
I had nannied for 6 years and was always complimented and took pride in my duties until I was reminded that diapers go into the trash. The day before I changed a diaper and the doorbell rang about five minutes before the parents came home. Rather than have a child get the door I rushed to prevent them from opening the door. They arrived home and I always left quickly so family time could begin, In the morning the statement was "we make sure even the wet diapers go in the trash right away so make sure you don't forget that trash goes in the trash". All I could think was "really I didn't know that" all I said was "I didn't realize you thought I was that inept, I don't understand how you have trusted me this long with your children if you don't think I have this concept down". At that point in time I let her know that I would be leaving as I felt she didn't trust me only accusations could follow in the future. So in other words if you like/trust your provider then don't go there,

Don't mention it. It was an accident, and I've had that exact same thing happen from MY own nail! Right now I'm actually recovering from a cut on my own eyeball from my 2 year old partially because I needed to cut his nails and hadn't yet. So, if she's a great sitter, don't stir the pot over this!

Relax... it happens.
We've all had crazy things happen to our children that are accidents. Your babysitter certainly didn't mean to scratch your child.
Let it go.
LBC

I've scratched my own children on accident. Say nothing and move on

If she's a great babysitter, as you described her, I'm sure she was mortified that she scratched your son. And that experience alone is surely enough to remind her to file her nails. I'm sure nothing needs to be said.

I have scratched my own child's face with my nails, by accident of course! It happens. She should think to cut & file her nails on her own, but if she doesn't I would let it go. If it happens a second time, say something. Hopefully it won't happen again, but I would only say something if it does happen a second time.

I am sure your baby-sitter has already filed that nail after the incident, but it might be worth tkaing a quick peek next time she arrives. And for her next holiday gift, how about a nail file set?

It was an accident, let it go. Kids scratch themselves all the time and it heals just fine. She probably feel bad anyways. If it happens again, buy her a nail file.

Don't say a word to her - that's just silly! In the business world we call that 'micromanaging'.

You will accidentally scratch your child's face.
You will accidentally bump into him and knock him to the floor.
You will be playing ball with him and accidentally hit him in the face.
If you're like me, you'll accidentally slam his finger in the door (oh Lord did I feel awful!).
You'll be at the playground and your young child will have no depth perception and will walk off the play-maze, plummeting two feet followed by screams despite the fact that you were watching him like a hawk.

Accidents are just that - accidents. Everyone will be just fine and no need to say anything.

If she isn't an idiot, she noticed it and she'll fix it. Don't say anything. Lord knows we've done worse to our own kids ourselves, by accident.
I am laughing at a related incident because yesterday my daughter came home and mentioned her school friend's "rat claws." Apparently his nails hadn't been cut in a while. Then of course I thought of the times I've sent my kids to school with rat claws.

I have accidently scratched my children, no harm just a crazy out of control nail. I am sure that is what happened. If your not sure and think your sitter is or could be harming your children, suscpision is enough, its your baby.

I would not say a word and would never think about it ever again. Scratches, and much worse, happen. let them all go.

M.

I'm sure it was an accident. I wouldnt mention it again unless she does it again. My daughter got scratched at her first daycare by another child and we couldnt get too mad, it was an accident and her parents were mortified.

I did that to my own kids and friends kids that I babysat. My rings even scratched myself and my husband. I told the parents/my friends when they picked up their kids. They were like no big deal, it happens all the time. Now if it was a major cut then yeah.

Just curious are you a first time mom?? It's ok to be over protective, your a mom and their your kids.

Jilly,

I am sure that if she is a great babysitter as you have stated, she feels absolutely, positively awful about this. There is nothing worse than something happening to a child while in your care. If you didnt say something right then, in my opinion I would just leave it alone.

If this was the first time, let it go. Not like your son is getting scratched everytime correct? If happens again...... then I would say something. We all have bad "nail" days, "hair" days, etc. Not taking this lightly, but really, it was an accident, and probably she is more aware now than any, that she needs to take care of her nails.

She has to cut her nails, and you cannot take care of children with long nails. She can keep them short, and square. You should tell her the truth, and be honest with her. She needs to know, and be reminded about it. "I noticed a scratch on .....'s face, and would appreciate it so much if you would cut your nails so it does not happen again". "I know you love, and care about him very much". It depends on your relationship with the sitter, and her personality. I like to know about problems, so I can correct them and appreciate the truth. You also have others who like to pretend it is ok when it is not, and I do not like it.

Accidents happen! You could always get her a manicure set! Given with a sense of humor and reassurance that you know it was accident and you think she is great!