What does a babysitter do?

[Anonymous]

Agree OP was certainly not raised by her mother. Some kid of paid servamt.

I don't think OP ever answered: what did your mother do as a MOTHER? moms teach their kids to read and swim. They do more than give birth.

[Anonymous]

*kind* not kid

[Anonymous]

I am not worried about losing the sitter as there were ten applicants for her job, I am just concerned that I have reasonable expectations of her. It seems like many here— and the babysitter herself— thought it was reasonable for her to do the babies lunch dishes and clean the high chair so that’s all I will expect moving forward.

Re: Starbucks, yes everyone including her and of course we would pay. There is one down the street I thought it might be nicer to ask that than “sit in the living room being quiet for an hour while the baby sleeps”.

I don’t understand the question about my mom working? What did she do as a mother? All the usual things mothers do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you were raised with a servant, not a nanny. What country are you from? What did your mother do besides have lunch?

I was born and raised in the U.S (in NY if it matters) and I would not describe our nanny as a servant. She was with us all the time and taught us to swim and read. She did housework when we napped and she made dinner while we did homework. My parents didn’t believe in separate meals for kids so just making the children’s meal wouldn’t have made sense. My mother worked.

You didn’t have a nanny. You had a house manager (if she scheduled and supervised repairs, took care of car maintenance and similar tasks) or a housekeeper/nanny. There’s a world of difference.

I guess we had a housekeeper/nanny? Certainly not a house manager by your description because she absolutely detests driving to this day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not worried about losing the sitter as there were ten applicants for her job, I am just concerned that I have reasonable expectations of her. It seems like many here— and the babysitter herself— thought it was reasonable for her to do the babies lunch dishes and clean the high chair so that’s all I will expect moving forward.

Re: Starbucks, yes everyone including her and of course we would pay. There is one down the street I thought it might be nicer to ask that than “sit in the living room being quiet for an hour while the baby sleeps”.

I don’t understand the question about my mom working? What did she do as a mother? All the usual things mothers do?

Good luck, OP. You’re going to lose this babysitter and the nine others already accepted other jobs.

Lighten up. You need to change your attitude on assigning tasks for her. Babysitters play with the children. That’s it.


But try it your way. Just swear to be honest and let us know how your attitude and expectations work out for you. See you in September.

[Anonymous]

Are you looking for a nanny or a babysitter?

Baby sitters are paid less, are a once in awhile things (IE date nights here and there, maybe a weekend day,etc). They make sure your kids are alive when you get home.

Nannies - this is their profession. Many went to school for some type of child education, many have years of experiences and trainings, etc. Their rates will reflect that. They will do all child related tasks like child’s dishes, child’s laundry, etc. They also plan educational activities, outings and so on. They work with you as a team mate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not worried about losing the sitter as there were ten applicants for her job, I am just concerned that I have reasonable expectations of her. It seems like many here— and the babysitter herself— thought it was reasonable for her to do the babies lunch dishes and clean the high chair so that’s all I will expect moving forward.

Re: Starbucks, yes everyone including her and of course we would pay. There is one down the street I thought it might be nicer to ask that than “sit in the living room being quiet for an hour while the baby sleeps”.

I don’t understand the question about my mom working? What did she do as a mother? All the usual things mothers do?

Good luck, OP. You’re going to lose this babysitter and the nine others already accepted other jobs.

Lighten up. You need to change your attitude on assigning tasks for her. Babysitters play with the children. That’s it.


But try it your way. Just swear to be honest and let us know how your attitude and expectations work out for you. See you in September.

Wow is this the op?

If so you really need to chill. If this is your attitude you won’t keep a “babysitter” for long. You’ll run through them like water and come back here to complain that you don’t know what wrong.

Just coming from your attitude posts - it seems you can’t afford a quality nanny. Stick your kid in daycare and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking for a nanny or a babysitter?

Baby sitters are paid less, are a once in awhile things (IE date nights here and there, maybe a weekend day,etc). They make sure your kids are alive when you get home.

Nannies - this is their profession. Many went to school for some type of child education, many have years of experiences and trainings, etc. Their rates will reflect that. They will do all child related tasks like child’s dishes, child’s laundry, etc. They also plan educational activities, outings and so on. They work with you as a team mate.

I assume what I have is a babysitter because it’s twice a week for half a day. My impression is that nannies are typically full time. We pay $20/hr, the same as the friends with similar arrangements who we asked for the “going rate” and the person we selected is still in college but has pretty substantial childcare experience and the trainings I prioritize (CPR etc.). Maybe she’s a nanny and I’m calling this the wrong thing? There are some very upset posters here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can not ask your babysitter to run errands. A babysitter keeps your baby alive and uninjured (as much as possible) and relatively happy until you get back.

You can say "during nap time would you mind folding the baby clothes in the basket". Asking them to make meals or do housework are totally inappropriate.

It is not appropriate to ask a babysitter to do any work. All they do is watch children.

[Anonymous]

It's ok to ask her to bring back some Starbucks for everyone on her way back from the park with your baby. I wouldn't ask her everyday though but from time to time why not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can not ask your babysitter to run errands. A babysitter keeps your baby alive and uninjured (as much as possible) and relatively happy until you get back.

You can say "during nap time would you mind folding the baby clothes in the basket". Asking them to make meals or do housework are totally inappropriate.

It is not appropriate to ask a babysitter to do any work. All they do is watch children.

So what do they do while the child naps? Watch the nap? That doesn’t make sense.

[Anonymous]

You’re paying them to be available ir something goes wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can not ask your babysitter to run errands. A babysitter keeps your baby alive and uninjured (as much as possible) and relatively happy until you get back.

You can say "during nap time would you mind folding the baby clothes in the basket". Asking them to make meals or do housework are totally inappropriate.

It is not appropriate to ask a babysitter to do any work. All they do is watch children.

So what do they do while the child naps? Watch the nap? That doesn’t make sense.

Babysitters watch tv, play on their phones or do homework. Nannies do baby laundry, wash bottles, etc.

[Anonymous]

If she fed the kid, fine to ask her to clean up after. If clothers or bedding get dirty while she is there, ask her to rinse, spray stain remover, and put in laundry. Suggest Starbucks and she if she bites, might enjoy the free frappe and chance to get out of house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she fed the kid, fine to ask her to clean up after. If clothers or bedding get dirty while she is there, ask her to rinse, spray stain remover, and put in laundry. Suggest Starbucks and she if she bites, might enjoy the free frappe and chance to get out of house.

This is a good description.