Whilst you might love your children with every part of your being and want to spend as much time as possible with them during their early formative years, this is very often not possible, particularly if both parents have to work from an off-site business office. Dual-income families are becoming more and more common in our economically challenging world, and the costs associated with having children are increasing all the time.
You really need someone reliable and caring to look after your child/ren
The dilemma arises when one has to weigh up the value of staying at home with a young child or children versus the financial security of holding down an office job away from the home environment. If you have to leave young children at home whilst you go out to work, you need to be able to relax in in the knowledge that they are being cared for properly in your absence. And here rises yet another issue: are you able to leave your children with someone who will be dedicated to their welfare, as well as being knowledgeable about their care under a variety of different circumstances? Whilst it might seem like a simple solution to find a local schoolgirl who is more than willing to babysit for a few hours every day in return for an agreed pay rate, you have to remember that this is not a qualified nanny or babysitter who has been trained in all aspects of child-care. And schoolgirls, whilst they might be willing and happy to take care of your children, also have school commitments of their own which might make them unreliable due to circumstances beyond their control.
Occasional babysitters aren’t always the answer
It might always be possible to ask friends, family, or neighbours to step in and look after your children in times of sudden need, such as medical or business appointments, but these are generally once-off occasions which crop up on an irregular basis. If you are looking for someone to take care of your child/ren on a daily basis for a set number of hours, you will need to look for a long-term or contract-basis nanny or babysitter who can commit to a set daily schedule with agreed hours of work.
Child-care has so many aspects to be considered
There are agencies which supply trained and experienced nannies and au-pairs for both long-term placements, as well as short-term needs. If possible, it is better to get the same person for a longer period, as they and your children will get to know and understand one another. Children, no matter how young they are, are curious and incautious little beings who don’t know about natural dangers such as bees and wasps, plants with thorns or spiny edges, hard and slippery surfaces, over-enthusiastic play with cats or dogs who may lash out in fright or the dangers of playing with sharp objects such as broken pieces of metal, old nails or glass pieces found lying around. In the absence of a parent, a babysitter or nanny has to take over the role of guardian and safekeeper and be able to comfort and tend to minor wound care from accidents. Nannies and babysitters are also responsible for ensuring that the child is given adequate nourishment during the day, with enough liquids and healthy snacks to keep them satisfied, and will often prepare, cook and feed lunch or an early supper to their charges. Both babysitters and nannies may be tasked with taking the children for short walks – even to a local park and overseeing their activities there to keep them safe.
It’s best not to confuse nannies and babysitter duties …
The roles of babysitters and nannies overlap in many respects, but there are certain differences which cannot be ignored. Babysitters may be tasked with ferrying older children to and from after-school activities, overseeing homework assignments, and providing meals whilst she is at the house. A babysitter will be expected to be able to drive and have her own car, a skill which many nannies do not possess. Babysitters are generally only needed for short periods, with specific tasks allocated to her time with the child/ren, and many babysitters are trained in the art of CPR and basic first-aid. Nannies, on the other hand, may live with the families themselves, or be expected to be at work on weekdays from early morning until late afternoon/early evening, undertaking many household duties every day, such as light cleaning, washing and ironing the child/rens’ clothes, preparing, cooking and serving the child/rens’ meals ahead of the main meal eaten by the parents later in the evening, playing with the child/ren and overseeing afternoon naps and play.
The best of both worlds IS available with the right babysitter or nanny
Whatever your needs are, a babysitter or nanny will be able to step in and offer help where it is needed. Whilst it is distressing to have to leave your child/ren for long hours during weekdays, if you find the right person with experience and a genuine fondness for children to step in and take over from you when needed, you can at least get on with the important work of providing that essential income to secure your child/rens’ future educational needs whilst you can.
