When our teenage babysitter called 911 during an emergency, my wife fired her on the spot. The aftermath left me questioning if I was wrong to stand up for her—and if this conflict was about more than a single moment.
Daisy, our 16-year-old babysitter, had been like family, beloved by our kids and trusted by us. That Friday, she was watching our children when our 7-month-old stopped breathing. Panicked, she called 911 instead of us.
When I arrived home, my wife was furious, accusing Daisy of overreacting and wasting money on an unnecessary ambulance call. Daisy, in tears, explained she thought the baby was in real danger.
The tension erupted into a heated argument between my wife and me. I defended Daisy’s decision, saying she acted out of care during a terrifying moment. My wife, however, felt betrayed, arguing Daisy should have called us first.
That night, calmer and reflective, we both realized we’d failed to prepare Daisy for such emergencies. Her mistake wasn’t malicious; it came from fear and love for our child.
Together, we decided to reach out to Daisy, apologize, and rebuild the trust that had been strained. Because sometimes, in moments of crisis, the only way forward is through understanding and grace.
