Need a mother's helper for a couple of hours on weeknights - does this exist?

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to the bitter "do it yourself " posters.

Put an ad up at the university and care.com. You might find a nanny in the neighborhood who may want a few more hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Next year I will have a toddler and an infant. I work full time (and will return post-maternity leave) and my DH travels Monday-Thursday every week. I'd like to get someone to help me from 6:00 to 8:00 Mon.-Thurs. with dinner, clean-up, baths, and bedtime. It's premature to actually post around looking for it now, but has anyone ever heard of someone making an arrangement like this? We live near Howard University so I was thinking maybe a college or grad student would be interested as a way to make a little cash.

If you offer a good rate, maybe you can find someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a student and wouldn't do this job. I sometimes don't understand why people are under the impression that students have all this extra time to waste on a 2 hours/day job. I'd rather do 2 shifts on weekends or a 2-4 overnights somewhere make close to $400-500 a week than this for 250 a week and commute close to an hour plus 2 hours of work for 4 days. OP should handle this job, not worth it for another person to do.

That really depends on the circumstances. I mentioned Howard because we live a couple blocks from there. Obviously no one would willingly commute for an hour to do two hours of work, but a 5-10 minute walk may be a different story. I was a college student and law student once (not that long ago) and I had plenty of free time. Everyone's schedule is different and I'm sure it won't appeal to plenty of people, but if I can find someone willing to help me out for the right price, why "should [I] handle this job" myself?

OP, what do you consider to be "the right price?"

[Anonymous]

if you want someone to do this, you need to guarantee the hours. people who are looking for a couple of hours here and there never seem to do this, and are then furious when the sitter cancels on them, etc. if you want her to take it as a serious commitment, treat it like one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if you want someone to do this, you need to guarantee the hours. people who are looking for a couple of hours here and there never seem to do this, and are then furious when the sitter cancels on them, etc. if you want her to take it as a serious commitment, treat it like one.

The hours would be guaranteed - ideally 6-8 Monday through Thursday. The right price is whatever I can get someone to accept, within reason, likely $20-25. It's not worth it to me at more than $25/hour / $200/week. I'll post in the spring and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you want someone to do this, you need to guarantee the hours. people who are looking for a couple of hours here and there never seem to do this, and are then furious when the sitter cancels on them, etc. if you want her to take it as a serious commitment, treat it like one.

The hours would be guaranteed - ideally 6-8 Monday through Thursday. The right price is whatever I can get someone to accept, within reason, likely $20-25. It's not worth it to me at more than $25/hour / $200/week. I'll post in the spring and see what happens.

Good luck, OP. I think your salary range and expectations are well within reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you want someone to do this, you need to guarantee the hours. people who are looking for a couple of hours here and there never seem to do this, and are then furious when the sitter cancels on them, etc. if you want her to take it as a serious commitment, treat it like one.

The hours would be guaranteed - ideally 6-8 Monday through Thursday. The right price is whatever I can get someone to accept, within reason, likely $20-25. It's not worth it to me at more than $25/hour / $200/week. I'll post in the spring and see what happens.

If you want to start at 6, you could be looking at college students and nannies with full-time jobs. Many are off by 4.30 or 5, and a full-time nanny would be able to hit the ground running for you.