At some point, we mogul moms need a little help with the kiddos. In fact, a great babysitter or nanny is essential to business growth.
No woman can be super mom, super entrepreneur and super wife. Sorry, ladies, let that dream die!
Many moms wrestle with guilt over getting childcare; but when you make business growth a priority, having time free from kid-duty makes all the difference.
Having in-home childcare may be just what you need. You can have a sitter or nanny come to your home, hire a live-in au pair, or place your child with a sitter who runs a daycare from her home.
Here’s how:
Use a referral service: Recommendations from other moms is always the best! Ask other moms about their favorite sitters. In some rural areas, the local Public Health Department may offer a sitter referral service. For urban and metro areas, try an online resource like SitterCity.com or Care.com.
Place an Ad: If finding a referral is difficult, consider placing an ad locally for an in-home sitter. Be specific about what you’re looking for. Consider setting up a separate email account for handling responses to your ad.
Interview: No matter where a sitter referral comes from, be sure to complete a thorough interview. Write out questions to ask, or use this handy list from Parents.com. If interviewing at a sitter’s home, do a complete walk through of the home to be sure safety and cleanliness are up to your standards. And remember; no settling! It may take a while to find the perfect sitter for you, but keep looking until you do.
How do you find in-house help? Share your tips with us!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Another great resource for childcare help is by getting a recommendation from a Guidance Counselor at your local High School. Guidance Counselors know students personally and can recommend reliable students who are interested in earning money (or community service hours) after school. You can even try to find a student who shares some of your child’s interests–art, sports, dance, etc.
That IS a great tip, Debra!
As an advocate for caregivers and those receiving care in the home, my advise includes: no matter the source of in house help, ask open ended and situational types questions. This will allow more conversation rather just YES or NO responses. Do not skip on background check, driving record check, reference check even when you “get the best feeling” about a candidate. Also be very clear with your expectations and communicate them clearly. If you can, write or type them up and review with candidate. This keeps both parties on the same page. Do not try to add additional roles or job expectations without discussing it prior.
Goldie
CareNovate.com