Anyone having luck hiring "mother's helpers" or other part time childcare (<10 hrs a week)?

[Anonymous]

Can you pod up with another family who lives nearby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with others that a college student is really the sweet spot here and would probably be exactly what you need (and would be cheaper too)

This. Keep looking. Even before covid, finding someone part time whose time / days coincide with yours was hard. Also, keep in mind that most would prefer their hours to be consolidated given their commutes. So, you will have better chance finding someone to provide this extra care either who already lives in your neighborhood or who already comes to work. Very few would drive or commute for an hour to do 2 hours of work, unless you pay enough to make it worth it for them. But in that case, you could just hire someone for more hours.

[Anonymous]

We had a very reliable college student during the first few months of the pandemic, but it was full time. She managed our two older children's remote learning and also watched our toddler. But we knew her for years and knew she was mature and a hard worker. Before the pandemic she was working over 40 hours a week and going to college full time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A mother's helper is a kid who is too young to babysit. They entertain your child while you are elsewhere in the house. They are typically middle schoolers - 10-13 yr olds

This is Correct. A mother‘s helper is usually a young kid. You mention an ECE background and possibly assisting with schoolwork which Is more nanny territory. Maybe you’re not getting leads because your Job description is confusing? Maybe you can find a in-home daycare or any daycare to put her in a couple mornings a week.

[Anonymous]

Because your hours are so minimal you are looking at hiring one of two types of people:

Type 1: Someone who doesn't really need the money--like a college student whose parents are paying for their basic expenses but just wants a little extra spending cash. This will be where the "unreliable" comes in; when something comes up that they feel is better (studying for a final, breakfast with a friend, etc.) it's a lot easier to pass up your $44.

Type 2: Someone who needs full time employment to pay the bills, and is working several part time jobs to cobble that together. During Covid, the fact that your sitter is also working for 2+ other families will increase the risk of spread.
Even during non covid times, this kind of arrangement can backfire because if the sitter finds one full time family to work for, they will leave all their part time families .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I use a young teenager for this type of thing. Does require more supervision but theyre thrilled for the money and the right teen is hard to find.

A teenager will be in class during the day, no?

Right now there's lots of homeschoolers. The main hoops are I have to provide transportation and the parents have to trust us to be good role models for their preteen/teen.

Through our religious community I've been able to find a good situation but it does require investment in relationships over time. That said, if you're well connected it is worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

What does your ad look like on these online nanny sites? Perhaps it’s the wording of the ad.

[Anonymous]

If you just want a babysitter, go older not younger. College kids are flakes, IME. We have a wonderful, loving older woman as our babysitter. She’s responsible and reliable - never one minute late and never has missed a day. My kids call her Auntie and they adore her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can increase the number of hours and use the extra time to do something else besides teach.

I would do this but people are looking for 20 or more hours a week, which is more than twice what I was looking for. I've offered to go as high as 16 (two full work days), but still no dice. And that's even with my DD taking a 2 hour nap every afternoon, so they'd be getting paid simply to be home with her while she rests in the afternoon. I thought it would be perfect for a student who wanted study time and extra cash.

Just wanted to chip in that just because your child takes two hour naps now, it is never a guarantee.
When children get sick, their sleeping patterns often are affected.

Likewise if they hear a loud noise or maybe have a bad dream.
I used to work for a family that told me that nap time was my “free” time.

Yet I had to stay in their house.
I couldn’t meet a friend for lunch or even grab a ☕️ coffee at Starbucks.

So it wasn’t really “free.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have older kids but was running into similar issues - I tried all the usual online sources for a mother's helper and struck out everywhere.

We ended up hiring a neighborhood kid who is in college but learning from home, so has flexibility and extra time on his hands since he doesn't have anyone to socialize with! He is basically our extra afternoon driver. Do you know any families in your neighborhood with kids home from college?

I was going to type this too - I'd post heavily on neighborhood listserevs or next-door. Can you find someone who your an team up with? A college kid who wants extra cash? A young mother who would watch your kid, too, for the money?

My 15 year old is cleaning up in baby sitting money, but it's after school - 4-6pm.

[Anonymous]

I second NextDoor. My teen is doing just this, once a week for a few hours, does class from the house and makes sure the kids are doing their class.

[Anonymous]

Hi! Not sure who you are, but my name is Maren Dunn and I currently work part time and am available in the mornings. Let me know if you still need someone! I have over four years of experience. My number is 202-412-3404. Thanks!