Mother’s Helper for Older Kids

[Anonymous]

We need to hire someone to meet our kids at the bus stop next year due to changes in our work schedules (they are 6&8).

We are considering a mother’s helper. If you have hired one, what are their typical duties and roughly how much do you pay them?

[Anonymous]

You want someone for just that task? I think they want most of a full days pay.

[Anonymous]

A mother’s helper is someone who assists the at-home parent (like playing with the kids while the parent fixes dinner). That’s why they have lower rates than a nanny or a babysitter. The term generally isn’t used for someone providing solo care.

The rates for providing short-term care like picking up from school/driving to activities are usually higher, because it has to be worth their while to work a so few hours. And there’s a lot of competition.

[Anonymous]

You probably are better off with signing up a after-school care. SACC would be great if you can get it.

[Anonymous]

A mother's helper is to play with kids to keep them from disturbing the at-home parent. You want a babysitter.

[Anonymous]

That's not a mother's helper. That's a babysitter. And good luck finding someone for those limited hours. It will not be cheap if you can find someone.

A mother's helper is someone who plays with your kids while you're home. Basically just entertaining them but too young to babysit on their own (think 10-11 year olds).

[Anonymous]

You need to befriend some moms at your bus stop. Your plan sounds overcomplicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's not a mother's helper. That's a babysitter. And good luck finding someone for those limited hours. It will not be cheap if you can find someone.

A mother's helper is someone who plays with your kids while you're home. Basically just entertaining them but too young to babysit on their own (think 10-11 year olds).

My mother’s helpers are 12 and 13 and they play with my son while I finish work. They are awesome and come together (2 friends). I pay them $10/hr each.

[Anonymous]

I hire 12& 13 yr old Mothers helper types on days when school is closed and I’m working from home. Then they are vetted and comfortable and can babysit for short stints when no parent is home. I pay them their age/hr. That’s very ad hoc though and flexible. If you are hoping to rely on someone M-F long term I would think you need to think about a part time nanny (or someone who nannys for another family mornings but wants some afternoon hours).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to befriend some moms at your bus stop. Your plan sounds overcomplicated.

Do not do this! You are assuming that other moms don't work or have other things to take care of! This is honestly a job that we would call necessary but, a sh$t job. Sorry but, one of you is going to have to pick up your kids. Anyone who needs to work won't want it because it isn't enough money and those who could do it don't want to because they are busy with their own lives!

You may have to do after care if you can't pick up your responsibility ( kids)

[Anonymous]

You need a babysitter. We pay ours $15/hr to get kids off bus (three boys), feed a snack, and keep them off screens for two hours, three days a week.

She doesn’t drive the kids. Found her when the last sitter went to college and passed the job along. Found the first sitter on a list serve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's not a mother's helper. That's a babysitter. And good luck finding someone for those limited hours. It will not be cheap if you can find someone.

A mother's helper is someone who plays with your kids while you're home. Basically just entertaining them but too young to babysit on their own (think 10-11 year olds).

The best bet for finding a babysitter like this is a neighborhood homeschooled teenager. Or a middle schooler (if in FCPS where middle school starts and ends abominably early).

[Anonymous]

You might be able to find a middle or high schooler to walk them home, but I wouldn’t go that route (because older kids get busy, have unexpected things after school, etc.). Might be good to know neighborhood/mother’s helper aged kids to call for backup but not for a daily commitment.

How far are you from bus stop? Are there sidewalks? Will you or your spouse be home (just unable to leave desk)?

[Anonymous]

I would look for a middle schooler in your neighborhood or maybe a retired person in the neighborhood. Since it is just a short time each day it might be a challenge to find someone, but I could see where someone that is retired and on a fixed income might appreciate the opportunity to earn a little $$ while also engaging with some elementary kids.

[Anonymous]

If you have friends at school that have a nanny or au pair already picking up their kids, you could ask if your kids can tag along with that (and pay them, of course). Are they just walking the kids to your house and a parent will be there to receive them?

If you need more than that, a nanny or sitter is what you need but as other mentioned you pay a premium for limited hours and it's a hard position to fill.