What does your college-educated babysitter do when kid is sleeping?

[Anonymous]

We are having a babysitter (college grad) watch our infant daughter while she is sick this week and can't go to daycare. Not sure what I can/should ask her to do while the baby sleeps ... she said she likes cooking, so I was thinking I could nicely ask her to help with some very basic cooking (put a salad together), or maybe I should just let her chill out?

It does not seem appropriate to ask her to clean/tidy up. I pay her $12/hour and she is an occasional babysitter.

[Anonymous]

For $12 an hour, I wouldn't expect her to do anything other than sit on the couch.

Also, why does it matter that she is a college grad??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For $12 an hour, I wouldn't expect her to do anything other than sit on the couch.

Also, why does it matter that she is a college grad??

My thoughts exactly. Sounds like you have a very convenient and reliable back-up care giver. Be happy and don't worry about keeping her busy every minute.

[Anonymous]

I am the OP. I reference the college grad because I feel bad asking her to do menial work if she has a college degree. It's different when our cleaning lady occasionally watches the kids because she cleans our house on a regular basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP. I reference the college grad because I feel bad asking her to do menial work if she has a college degree. It's different when our cleaning lady occasionally watches the kids because she cleans our house on a regular basis.

You are paying her. Also, we all do menial work - lots of us have multiple degrees. Welcome to the real world. I'm highly educated and I'd clean your toilets if the price was right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP. I reference the college grad because I feel bad asking her to do menial work if she has a college degree. It's different when our cleaning lady occasionally watches the kids because she cleans our house on a regular basis.

I find this very strange. Work is work, no one is above whatever they are being paid for.

That said, if you don't want to ask her to clean, ask her to cook and/or tidy some closets. Or do laundry.

[Anonymous]

Our babysitter is fantastic with DD when she is awake, is getting her masters degree in child psychology, and will always help us out when we need her in a pinch. I would trust her with anything.

I absolutely tell her to do nothing and sit and relax. She's worth every cent.

[Anonymous]

I'd have her sort baby clothes. Weed out the stuff that the baby has overgrown and box it up. Organize the 'next step' clothes so they are by season and by size. Do baby laundry. Balance the checkbook. Prep for dinner - baking is awesome! She can even research convertible carseats for you, or search for baby stuff that you need on craigslist/amazon.

It's one thing if she's perfectly happy chilling on the computer, and I'd flat out tell her that if she needs a mental break, then by all means her (and your) first priority is giving her breaks so that she can be a happy, involved, energetic babysitter. But if she's one of those people who can't sit and stare at the computer, or who just needs to be doing something when earning a paycheck, then please please please give her things to do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd have her sort baby clothes. Weed out the stuff that the baby has overgrown and box it up. Organize the 'next step' clothes so they are by season and by size. Do baby laundry. Balance the checkbook. Prep for dinner - baking is awesome! She can even research convertible carseats for you, or search for baby stuff that you need on craigslist/amazon.

It's one thing if she's perfectly happy chilling on the computer, and I'd flat out tell her that if she needs a mental break, then by all means her (and your) first priority is giving her breaks so that she can be a happy, involved, energetic babysitter. But if she's one of those people who can't sit and stare at the computer, or who just needs to be doing something when earning a paycheck, then please please please give her things to do!

I can't tell if you are kidding or not.

She is being paid $12 an hour, which is the low end of the babysitting rate for a twenty something. I can't imagine asking a babysitter to do work around the house. Would you ask the college aged babysitter who you pay to watch your kid for date night to do the laundry? Give her access to your computer if you want, but asking her to research carseats?

[Anonymous]

Balance the checkbook!!! (Hers or yours? Also, I don't think I've balanced a checkbook in fifteen years. Possibly twenty.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Balance the checkbook!!! (Hers or yours? Also, I don't think I've balanced a checkbook in fifteen years. Possibly twenty.)

I know. Funniest post ever ... and I don't think it was supposed to be funny!

[Anonymous]

I always tell my sitter she's free to watch TV, surf the net, or read (I put out various magazines) when my son is sleeping.

She, however, always manages to rinse dishes and put them away, sometimes fold some of my son's laundry, or otherwise do something helpful around the house. Totally unneccessary, but very much appreciated. Love her!

[Anonymous]

As someone who was a part-time nanny through grad school for a family I love very much, I would have been appalled if I was asked to do housework or cooking (other than preparing food for the little one I was watching). I also can't imagine that the mom or dad would ever ask me or anyone else to do anything other than watch the child, especially not for $12 an hour. She is there to give her full attention to your child when you can't and that is why you are paying her for her time even through naps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was a part-time nanny through grad school for a family I love very much, I would have been appalled if I was asked to do housework or cooking (other than preparing food for the little one I was watching). I also can't imagine that the mom or dad would ever ask me or anyone else to do anything other than watch the child, especially not for $12 an hour. She is there to give her full attention to your child when you can't and that is why you are paying her for her time even through naps.

So what did you do, sit there and stare for hours at the sleeping child? I find that a little bizarre.

[Anonymous]

I honestly wouldn't tell her to do anything - if she's up for it she'll clean up after themselves a little bit.

As for 10:10 - I also was a part time nanny for a family who I am still in contact with. I definitely cleaned up after ourselves and would load/empty the dishwasher as long the kids were sleeping and I had time. Of course the parents wouldn't blame me if for some reason I didn't do it, but imo - that's a part of the job.