The soft morning light filtered through the kitchen curtains as Sarah wiped her two-year-old son Max’s sticky hands. He giggled, oblivious to the tension growing in her chest. Her phone buzzed on the counter, the familiar chime of a message that Sarah had come to dread. She picked it up, bracing herself for disappointment.

Sarah stared at the screen, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. It was Megan, the babysitter she had hired just yesterday. The third babysitter in a row to quit after only one day.

She glanced at Max, who was toddling around the living room, laughing at his wobbly steps, while five-year-old Lily was engrossed with her toy tea set. The kids were happy, well-behaved even. So why did every sitter leave so abruptly?

Sarah’s best friend Julie arrived for their usual coffee chat, her warm presence a small comfort. After pouring their drinks, Sarah set the mug down harder than she intended. “Three babysitters, Julie. Three! All quitting after just one day. What am I doing wrong?”