I have 4 boys between 6-13. I would consider hiring someone like your friend for occasional sitting.

For example, about once a year my husband has a formal work event to attend in a location that is more than 1 hour away from our home.
Although my oldest is 13, we don't feel comfortable having him babysit his younger siblings when we are that far away. Especially because the type of venue it is, if we got an emergency call--it would probably take at least 20-30 minutes just to get our car (from valet), etc.

My boys would probably have more fun with a guy, than a young female sitter.

Absolutely! Boys that age need those strong male role models, so if he has the credentials - education, athletics (or arts), teaching, I'd enthusiastically hire him.

My brother is 10 years younger than I am so after I outgrew babysitters my parents switched to male sitters for him and he really thrived (he even admired one so much he joined karate and is now, at 22, on his third black belt).

Sure, if he came w/ good references or some personal recommendation from someone I trusted.

His gender wouldn't be an issue for me, but I wouldn't hire any sitter that I didn't have some sort of referral for at least.

No. No offence to male caregivers out there.

I might hire someone like that, if I didn't really need a regular weekly schedule but occasional weekend help (where he could take my child to go play some sports etc while I got some work done). If he didn't work FT then I would suggest doing some kind of work at a camp over the summer, but maybe he could find some kind of weekend activity with a community center that he could use for experience which would then help get him more occasional babysitting work? If he had more experience with babysitting then I would hire for more weekend hours on a regular basis.

Sure

15 yr olds don't usually needa sitter. So really, 8-11 is his market. Most kids can start staying by themselves at 12, before if its for short periods of time. It will be harder for him w/o experience or education and most agencies won't touch you w/o at least two yrs experience. He might do better as a bartender. Seriously.

Anonymous wrote:I'd tell him to go for it! You know your friend best. I wish him the best of luck

Thank you!

I'd tell him to go for it! You know your friend best. I wish him the best of luck

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who was asking for more info. I'm a nanny as well, not a parent. I'd say a Manny is appropriate for a family where there is a single mother raising boys who needs a positive male role model in their lives. If he doesn't have experience, it might be hard for him to find a position without going through an agency. I've never personally met a Manny but I know they exist. Does your friend have any interest in working with children at all? Maybe he could look into working at a summer camp to gain some experience.

He has a full-time job. He's just looking for the occasional evening and/or weekend job. Like I said he's a good role model - college educated, teaches Mixed Martial Arts, Athletic, etc.

I'm the PP who was asking for more info. I'm a nanny as well, not a parent. I'd say a Manny is appropriate for a family where there is a single mother raising boys who needs a positive male role model in their lives. If he doesn't have experience, it might be hard for him to find a position without going through an agency. I've never personally met a Manny but I know they exist. Does your friend have any interest in working with children at all? Maybe he could look into working at a summer camp to gain some experience.

I should also add that he worked as a substitute teacher in the past.

I'm not a Parent. I'm a sitter who is trying to convince my male friend to start sitting. He doesn't have formal experience, but is a great role model.

Where did you find the Manny? Does he have experience? How are his references? Would love to give more feedback if you could tell more about him.

I need feedback