I have a 14 year old interested in working like babysitting

I am seeking advise on how to help my daughter find babysitting job in
upper marlboro, md. I don't have friends with kids in area. Can someone
give me some suggestions? You cannot put up flyers in store or
community centers etc in my area.

dragonlady...

My kids found most of their jobs through church, and a handful from the
folks from whom they took their babysitting certification class.

I know when I was looking for a babysitter a long time ago I called
folks who offered babysitting certification classes and got a list of
certified teens in my area.

bizby40...

I'd be afraid to send my 14YO to a stranger's house anyway. Mention
that she baby-sits to anyone and everyone you know. She can make up
small fliers to give to the neighbors. If she gets a job or two and
does well, word of mouth should start working for her.

Welches...

To be honest I wouldn't want a 14 year old that I didn't know them or their
parents to babysit. I'd never pick a name off a flyer.
I don't think I'd be happy with my 14 year old going to babysit for people I
didn't know either.
I'd think of something else she could do-what about cleaning for your
friends?
Debbie

L....

I have a 12 year old Mom's helper who I found through a posting in a
local church. She's an awesome girl and a lot of help- and she loves

bizby40...

Mother's helpers are generally people who care for the kids while the
parents are around. Certainly they might spend *some* of their time
alone with the kids, but the expectation is that they are there
helping the mother, not substituting for her. Is this how you used
the term?

If so, then you will have had a good chance to get to know her before
leaving your child alone with her (or, aren't you the one who said
you'd never leave your son with non-family? maybe you won't leave
your child with her). It's not quite the same as baby-sitting, where
there is generally only a limited interview at most before hiring
them.

That said, trying to find a job as a mother's helper is a good
suggestion. Those types of jobs are generally regularly scheduled,
and she'd get child care experience without having to jump straight
in.

DS and he loves her. It's a win-win situation. I talked to her mom on
the phone before we agreed to the arrangement. I met her Mom the first
day she came to work for me. And we agreed it is on a "as we like each
other" basis - if she decides to quit, that's ok, and if I decide I
don't want her any longer, that's ok too. She will switch to twice
weekly next week, for the summer. I love the arrangement - and would
take a chance on another "unknown" girl like her in a heartbeat. :)

an588...

One idea is to volunteer to help look after children in the
nursery of a religious institution while the parents are
worshiping. That way you can get to know some children
and hopefully meet their parents and mention that you

Welches...

Mother's helper is different isn't it? I assumed babysitting means looking

L....

Yes it is - but I was responding to your comments:

"To be honest I wouldn't want a 14 year old that I didn't know them or
their parents to babysit. I'd never pick a name off a flyer.
I don't think I'd be happy with my 14 year old going to babysit for
people I
didn't know either. "

I picked her "off a flyer" and we were strangers - it has worked out
beautifully. Despite me being in the house, she *is* alone with DS
much of the time. Sure, it's only 2 hours per session, but she's
responsible for him. I do understand that it's different in that I am
actually *there* in another part of the house and only an intercom page
away. But it's a great way for young girl to get experience - even
with a "stranger" - and a great way for Moms to get the help they need.

dragonlady...

Also, if it works like it did when I hired a "mother's helper" (who was
only 11 when I hired her), in a year or two or three, she may well
become a regular babysitter. Mine continued to babysit for me right
through high school.

L....

Yep! That's what we are hoping for...if we still live here...
-L.

dragonlady...

We moved out of the area about 12 years ago, and I had lost touch with
her.

However, she recently located my oldest (now 23) on Myspace (or some
such) and the two of them have been back in touch. I will be getting
her info from DD. I understand she has several kids of her own now, and
I'm looking forward to hearing how she's doing! She was 18 when we
moved -- it's hard for me to think of her being a Real Honest To
Goodness Grownup with kids of her own.

L....

LOL...I am on the flipside of that. A dear little girl I babysat when
I was 15-18 got married and had a baby before I did! I about flipped!
:) I think my response on finding out she was pg was "Oh no! Little
Tee-Tee cannot be having a baby!"

after the child while you're out. Mother's helper I thought was more of
looking after the child while you do jobs, so you're both in/around the
house.
Debbie

babysit.