I am happy to report that Kate’s response to the new sitter, Anita, was a smashing success. Kate liked her and accepted her immediately after meeting her. Anita arrived about five minutes early (a good sign). Kate was working outside when she drove into the driveway. I went out to meet her while Kate continued tending to her shrubs. I took about 10 minutes to brief Anita on my expectations and to explain a few things. Then I went outside to invite Kate to meet her. Kate was very compliant, coming right in when I called her.
I brought her into the family room where I had left Anita. As I introduced her to Kate, I said, “You remember that I have not felt good about leaving you alone. I am going to the Y and then to meet Mark for coffee. Dee is . . .” At this point, Kate said, “is my ‘guardian’.” This was said in a very natural, positive manner. That led us into a brief conversation about ourselves just to get acquainted. I had an immediate liking for Anita whose has a beautiful smile and great warmth. I mentioned that Kate likes to work outside and that she might want to do that while I was gone. Then Kate asked Anita if she would want to work with her. Anita said she would be happy to stay with her outside. I told them they could choose what they wanted to do. I didn’t want either of them to feel they needed to spend the next 3 ½ hours outside. I knew that might not be a problem for Kate but wasn’t sure about Anita. Before I left, Kate mentioned another time that she was her guardian.
I returned home about 4:45, 15 minutes before Anita was to leave. I found both of them in the front yard where I had left them only Kate was on the ground pulling weeds out of the flower bed in front of the house. Anita was standing near her. When I walked over to them I commented on the fact that they were still outside. Kate said something about their enjoying themselves and that Anita had been her “companion.” Before Anita left, Kate mentioned one more time that she was her companion and that she had enjoyed her.
When we got inside, Kate commented on how Anita knows just what to say. What a relief for me. It seems like Kate has completely accepted her. I am going to feel a whole lot better about leaving from now on.
