OP again, just want to clarify that I am the kids' M-F after-school caretaker, part-time and referred to as a babysitter. I live in Southern California and am earning 12/hr, which seems low to me for two kids where one is also special needs, but I need to take what I can find around here.

Momboss has given me very limited instruction and asked for 'homework help'... this is my first job with kids old enough to be in school so this is also new to me. I feel like maybe I am trying to be a specialized tutor when really I am being paid to help if the kids have questions and otherwise not strain so much. Does it sound possible that I am taking the position too seriously and maybe just need to chill? We have a very limited time to get homework done before their after-school classes so it feels like a mad rush every day... when maybe I should let them go at their own pace and just let momboss finish up homework with them when she gets home?

Hey all, I recently posted the tantrum topic and would now like to ask for advice specifically with my 8 year old charge, as I've never cared for a special needs child before and feel a bit overwhelmed. She's very high functioning, very verbal (in fact, rarely ever stops talking ) but her attention span and listening skills are quite low. Let me paint a little picture of my main areas of concern.

First problem is homework. She knows how to do the work and goes through some questions (whether math or writing) very easily; it's the attention span that causes us to work for over an hour on one sheet of 3rd grade problems. I must ask her to focus, pick up her pencil, refocus, it's not time to play with her brother, we need to do #6 right now, focus please... ugh, over 50 times it seems like. The other problem is getting ready for activities such as her dance class; the other day she needed to put on her tights and leotard - ended up running around the house naked for over 15 minutes just giggling and chasing her brother while I continuously tried to redirect her to putting her dance clothes on.

Her mom mentioned her special needs at the tail end of our interview when I'd pretty much already accepted the job and it's an entirely new area for me. I've never pursued work with special needs kids because I don't have much patience for the constant repetition of reminders; I know some people are totally geared for that sort of work and others just aren't. In my area it is incredibly tough to find a good position though and I was looking for months before taking this job. I really want to make this work and not have to be on the market again (besides it would be a huge ordeal for their mom to find someone new, get them cleared with the school again, etc etc) so I'm hoping for some advice or ways of tackling this situation positively that could help me cope - if I'm staying I want to be a great caretaker for this sweet little girl and not just go through the motions.