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Message |
    
Tofugrl3
Citizen
Username: Tofugrl3
Post Number: 11
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 6:08 pm: | 
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It has come to my attention, that in recent weeks, there have been several posts of members complaining about their baby-sitters and how difficult good ones are to find. I must say, finding a good family to work for is not exactly easy either. I have been baby-sitting for many years and come across these people on a regular basis. There are the ones that tell you that they'll be home by a certain time and show up an hour or two later, without calling, causing you to miss your class. Then, the ones who leave you with no food in the house but tell you to feed the kids dinner before putting them to bed. The ones that don't specify bedtime routines, causing you to spend an hour looking for "the blankie." The ones that forget to mention life threatening allergies, causing Billy to swell up like a balloon. The ones that leave you their cell numbers, but can never be reached, leaving you to fend for yourself in an emergency. The ones that forget to tell you that the delivery man is coming, so you're not sure whether or not you should let him in. People that call you a few hrs before they need you and get upset when you can't make it. Those that "forget" to pay you the right amt on a regular basis. Messy houses where you can't find anything or cook the children a meal because there is just no room to do it. Forgetting to mention your lovable lab that I am deathly allergic to. The list of things goes on and on. I'm not posting this in a mean way, just want to get the point across that if you're looking for a good sitter, you better be a good host to the sitter. I have been with my families for over 4 yrs and will continue to be with them for as long as they need me. In between, I have had many that I will never return to. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3184
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 6:19 pm: |
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Interesting perspective Tofugrl. Good sitters are hard to find. Sounds like you're one of the good ones. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 409
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 7:25 am: |
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You go, girl! Stick up for yourself! And don't let some of these parents gaslight you into believing that you need them more than they need you...quite the contrary. I'm shocked by how many parents mistreat their sitters. Sitters are wonderful and valuable and are very, very hard to find. I love my sitter (when I can catch up with her!) and treat her kindly and pay her well because she's giving us a break for a few hours to relax sans the kiddies. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 436
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 11:10 am: |
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Tofu, just out of curiosity.....
- What's current going rate out there?
- How late is too late to ask for evening sitters? I've never been sure.
- Which is better? Leave something ready-made to heat up or leaving money for Pizza? |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 734
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 12:47 pm: |
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Tofugrl3- good for you! I cannot imagine people doing things that you mentioned above and yet I am sure that those things happen. I think any person contemplating sitting should interview the family and meet the children first if that is at all possible. These things work two ways!
I am printing your note to share with some neighbors that are new parents. |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3226
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 1:23 pm: |
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Smarty, are you asking about full-time nannies (which I think is what Tofugrl is) or about babysitters you might hire for a few hours on a saturday night? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12899
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 3:41 pm: |
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I think tofugrl3 is a babysitter, not a nanny, but I could be wrong.
Tofugrl3, I think all of those expections you expressed are totally reasonable, except, perhaps, for your clients warning you about your dog. I suggest you ask prospective clients if they have dogs. Other than that, I wish people treated you better. My daughter is 17 and does a fair bit of babysitting, and she hasn't complained about any of the above. Either she takes it in stride or she's been lucky.
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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 444
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:33 pm: |
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Babysitters.... |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3229
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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The answer pretty much depends on the sitter, I think. I have a young sitter (13) who I use only on weekends (because she can't be out late during the week) and only when I'm going to be staying fairly local. She's very mature and responsible, but I usually try to get the kids pretty much ready for bed before we leave--and I always count on her mom as a back-up, just in case. I pay her $8 per hour. Now, her older sister, who is 20ish and who I've known for 6 years, I pay $12 an hour, but that's because I can leave any time and she can give them dinner and/or a bath if need be and get them ready and in to bed on her own. I can go farther--like have dinner in the city--and worry less about what time I get home.
Also, I have three kids, and even just getting them in bed is a big undertaking. If I had one child, I might not pay as much, because it would be a much easier job. Particularly if the person is sitting for you mostly when the child/ren are sleeping--then I might go as low as $5 per hour. Depending. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 414
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 5:06 pm: |
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I know I'm going to get some flack, but I personally think 13 is a bit young to sit. I remember being 13 and I know I wasn't prepared to change a diaper or do the Heimlich on a child. I know that many 13 year old are extremely level headed and mature, and I'm sure this young woman is precisely that type of girl. I would use a 13 year old to run a few errands that took no more than an hour, but not for a date to the movies and dinner. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 740
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 5:12 pm: |
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Our sitter was 11 when we started using her. We had her with us until she went away to college. Both of my children starting sitting when they were 11 after they took the Red Cross babysitting course offered the CHS during a summer session. I only let them sit when I knew that Mr. BGS and I would be available for emergencies. I think that the age depends on the person...I also have to tell you that there are plenty of teens that probably do not know how to do a Heimlich on anyone. Anyway, this is just our experience and it all worked out very well for us. |
Kiba
Citizen
Username: Radical_kiba
Post Number: 60
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
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Tofugrl, thankyou for making our side known. I've been yelled at and fired from a job because the kids weren't in bed at EXACTLY 9:00 on a saturday night and the mother came home early, and went completly postal on me. It's understandable to be upset if the children are not in bed at exactly the time you wanted, but it was a weekend, not a school night, and the kids were being particularly stubborn. It's hard to be a perfect babysitter, and when you get yelled at for little things then it's just plain ridiculous. The mother said harsh words to me and made it clear that she wouldn't ask for me to sit for her family ever again.
but then again, why the hell would I want to sit for a crazy woman like that? I'd gladly take my services to nicer and actually SANE clients, who appreciate my time.  |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 450
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:09 pm: |
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Unfortunately, I don't know if I'm open to using 16-18 age range....I can recall many parties at homes when I was that age, a lot of times with "responsible" babysitters at the helm, and I just don't know if I'd want to risk it....not sure what the experience is around these parts (homes much closer together) but this was in the hills of PA.... |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1059
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:59 pm: |
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FWIW to anyone, our first Mpl sitter was a young man around 13-14 BUT his parents were down the block, and we were not gone very far or very late. Moved on to BGS's girls when they were in their mid-teens. I didn't have any problems with the ages of the sitters, since there was always adult backup not too far away, and I knew the parents.
Paid $10/hour, rounded up, to sit for 2 preschool-elementary boys. Sitters were expected to supervise, entertain when possible, serve pizza or other pre-prepared (?) meal and put them to bed eventually. This was say 8-15 years ago.
Yelling at a sitter for not having the kids in bed on the stroke of 9 is IMO declasse in the extreme. Was she drunk or just as the sitter says, nuts? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12924
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:59 pm: |
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That decision is yours to make, but there are also plenty of success stories of teenage babysitters.
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Kiba
Citizen
Username: Radical_kiba
Post Number: 61
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 1:11 pm: |
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mjc,
the woman is postal. Even when she lived on my street like 5 years ago she was mad.:/ |
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