Nanny/mothers helper question for the SAHM

we came across someone that is willing to basically come over anytime (she doesn't work, lives nearby, loves kids and can handle up to 5 at a time!!!

for those of you that are SAHM.....do you go out when the sitter comes over or do you have them watch the kids while you get stuff done around the house??

She didn't even tell us how much she wants to be paid....she said whatever we want to give her.

Re: Nanny/mothers helper question for the SAHM

Is this an adult, teenager?

Does she have children of her own?

Experience with kids?

I would decide depending on what the person was like.

If it was an adult with childcare experience (ex, a mom, an aunt, teacher, etc) I'd feel comfortable going out for a few hours to run errands....Even if were an older teenager who I knew and trusted.

If it were a younger teenager (like my landlord's daughter who is 13 and helps us sometimes) I'd just use her to help keep the kids occupied while I cleaned in other rooms of the house.

I had a babysitting job when I was younger. The mom was a SAHM and I'd come over for a few hours EARLY in the AM, like 7am on a saturday morning. She'd clean the whole house and I would basically stay downstairs in the playroom/kitchen and keep the 2 girls occupied. She payed me $5/hr but that was back in the 90s.

Re: Nanny/mothers helper question for the SAHM

I don't have one, but I was one in my teen years.

If I had one now, I would have her go in the yard and watch the kids play, or stroll with them up and down the street.

sit baby in stroller and watch the other 2 play in driveway...I would be inside, cleaning, showering

I would then tell lady goodbye, pack kids in car, do errands...then return home to my nice clean house for a great evening.

Re: Nanny/mothers helper question for the SAHM

Not sure if you're talking about a teenager, but my sister is 14 and she is a mother's helper. Usually the mother is home with her, but doing her own things in the house. My sis plays with the kids, takes them out in the yard, gives them lunch, etc. Sometimes the mom goes out and runs quick errands, but nothing extensive.

Re: Nanny/mothers helper question for the SAHM

She is 19, sister of a coworker that DH works with. She's the youngest of....5 I think. Not your typical 19 yo....very down to earth, doesn't party, stays home mostly because all her "friends" like to party and she does not. She prefers to hang out with older adults who have clean fun.

The gaggle of kids she watches are nieces and nephews (some difficult kids, some good kids).

I figure this would give me a chance to get organized before baby, give me the chance to run errands sometimes, and after baby comes, be the extra hands that I may need after all the family has come and gone.

Plus it's an adult to talk to!

Re: Nanny/mothers helper question for the SAHM

From the way you described her, I would probably leave her with the kids or leave her with one and take the other.