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Hi coco,
Your post makes me so happy for so many reasons...
The biggest is the contact you have with your bdaughter. It makes me so happy, I can't explain it, don't know why, but it's so awesome.
AND, the respect you have for your daughter's amom. In all honesty, if the pbmom we're matched with places with us, and years down the road has a new baby and needs a babysitter, I am pretty sure I'd be honored if she asked me. And, yeah, I would feel very weird if she offered me money. Your daughter is one thing (it's not a bad thing for a kid to be reimbursed for learning responsibility, especially if they truly are being a responsible baby sitter), but the amom, it's a very nice gesture, but I'm pretty sure it'd be awkward. I would actually feel badly if our pbmom offered me money for anything. I can't explain why, I guess I'd feel less special in her eyes. I can't put my finger on it.
The infant CPR class, FANTASTIC idea. AND, if your daughter decides to babysit more often, she'll have that to tell anyone who needs a sitter. A big bonus. And you both can have a beautiful bonding experience.
I think this is all awesome. If you feel compelled to do something for the amom, maybe offer making her dinner some night. Or maybe order some chinese food for her that night or something. Your daughter is approaching an age where she probably doesn't need any babysitting, but maybe offer to return the favor to hang out with your daughter on a night when the amom needs a night out.
As far as the age that she might be ready to start sitting, if you're home with her, 13 should be old enough. I won't tell you how young I was when I started going to neighbors houses to sit (times were different then, safer for kids). I was ready for it, but would have loved an infant CPR class. My biggest fear babysitting was if a child choked while I was watching them, how would I dislodge something?
I finally took a course in highschool and it helped ease my mind.
Anyway, that's all I've got. I just think it's fantastic how close you and your daughter's adoptive family are.
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