Need a sitter?

[erin215]

I seriously don’t understand the babysitting situation in this city. People are paying $15 an hour for teenagers, or they’re paying ungodly amounts for full time nannies. I used to sit as a teenager, but I certainly never charged that.

I am interested in doing some date-night type of babysitting, just to save a little for graduate school, but can’t seem to “break in.” I have experience with kids, excellent references, and I’ll happily clean the house while the kids are asleep. I work for a children’s nonprofit, so I’ve had a background check.

How the heck do you break into babysitting around here?

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[Robindianne]

I don’t have kids but have pets so I don’t know. We’d love a pet sitter but . . .

Best of luck!

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[JoB]

robindianne..

i know a great petsitter

tho i don’t think she sleeps over as she has her own…

she is also my dog walker…

email me

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[JoB]

erin215

you might try leaving a notice at C&P coffee and the bakery/coffee shop next to the pet store on california.. on the west side.. just north of the junction…

i know a lot of mom’s groups meet at both places.

sorry i am not doing better with names today:(

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[celeste17]

Try C&P coffee on California. I think there is a Mommy and me group that meets there.

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[angelescrest]

With babysitting, the trust element is huge, and you can easily get jobs if people know you, your family, etc. My daughters are ALWAYS busy sitting, but I know the families, and they know us, and there seems to be a lot of reassurance there for the parents. I have actually used sitters from Craigslist infrequently but with good results. I look for a post that gives a lot of info (and I want a post that’s well-written), I look for college/student/degree, and I want someone who is asking a good amount an hour. I am willing to pay that for my child(ren).

I would look at your recs. Is there someone there who can be the “connector”? What about neighbors and relatives? Or, if you volunteer in childcare at the Y, you’ll meet lots of parents who would probably love to know of a good sitter.

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[fetchwest]

We are occasionally looking for a babysitter for my 8 year old step daughter. Please email me at fetchwest@gmail.com. We would like to set something up to have arranged in the future.

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[hopey]

If you want to post some contact info, link to a Craigslist ad, something like that, I’d be happy to keep you in mind for the infrequent times we need a sitter for our 10 yr old. We weren’t completely happy with the teenager we hired when we needed a last-minute sitter a few months ago.

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[Irukandji]

Erin,

We have employed college and grad students as babysitters, both male and female. One was found in the park after having seen him with the kids he was then nanny-ing for. One I found here at WSB, and most recently I interviewed a few potential sitters associated and pre-screened through Sitter City (www.sittercity.com).

If you are looking for a regular weekly sitting job, I am up for interviewing you if my current sitter cannot juggle her employment and current grad-school schedule.

Let me know.

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[Diane]

Basically the babysitting situation is just like the rest of employment currently, slow; simply because when people lose jobs, they cannot afford to go out as often; it’s been very slow all year; so it’s not just a matter of “breaking in”; even those of us who are long term and well established in the community are struggling to get more jobs

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I’ve been in the child care, babysitting, nanny, etc business for a very long time, and make my living via on-call child care (aka babysitting); the past year has been difficult financially for many, and it trickles down to babysitting same as for any other businesses; many families have lost jobs, or income not flowing like in the past, so they have cut way back on “date nights”

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on top of that, many of the folks who lost jobs seem to think “oh I’ll just go do some babysitting”, so there are tons of people running ads offering child care

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I’ve tried posting flyers at coffee houses, and every possible place where moms hang out; very little response

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I post regularly on craigs list with a pretty classy ad, with pics; unfortunately this past year most of the responses are ridiculous scam/spam emails; but when I get a legitimate response, usually from families in West Seattle, I provide detailed intro letter & resume, and excellent reference letters; I have met many wonderful families via craigs list and have several longterm clients that I’ve worked with for years

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and as the others mentioned, I often receive referrals from families that I’ve built trust babysitting for over the years

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I don’t advertise on here because it’s against the rules, but it’s ok to respond to requests; so I’ve met some wonderful families via this blog, who have posted on here they were looking for emergency child care, and we’ve continued with ongoing babysitting for daycare closure or date nights

~

I specialize in caring for infants/toddlers, so trust is REALLY big for families; many times I am the first ever caregiver for a family, and they are very nervous; fortunately I can offer lots of experience and reassurance

~

re the teens charging $15, yes I also find that comical; I started out as a teen babysitting for neighbor kids, at 75 cents an hour; and now many years later, after caring for literally hundreds of babies, and a Masters in Early Child Development, I usually only charge $15

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[hollyplace]

Hi Erin,

If you want to meet with me and my daughter(2-1/2-Y-O) for an informal interview(assuming it goes well) I can hook you up with 120 moms of 2-1/2-year-olds that would love a night out once in a while. If you are interested, please ask WSB to give you my email address.

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[erin215]

Wow, thanks for the great tips everyone! You’re awesome!

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[wsahha]

erin215…

sittercity.com is a terrific site, and I know others in WS use it. i’ve found some terrific sitters, and – as others mentioned – it’s easier to break into the sitting scene when you know people or have good recommendations. sittercity takes the guesswork out of recommendations and background checks.

I am in no way affiliated with them. Just a parent who uses and likes the service!

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[mamachaledo]

erin215

we just started looking for a babysitter for our 11 month old, and would love to get in touch with you. my email is glenna.chang@gmail.com. let’s talk!

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[Harmonic]

Hi erin215,

I would love to meet you for some sitter services! I have two little girls, almost 3 and 3-½ months. It would be great to have a dinner out sans kids and my husband and I never really know where to start with the sitting services. I can be reached at aimer50@hotmail.com.

Would love to hear from you!

Amy

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