If you have an nanny or babysitter, you should be able to get work done, right? Not always so. Create an arrange that everyone can live (and work) with.
You've been home with your child for a while and find you are not getting enough done. Consider paying to help you with the kids in your home.
Whether you call her (or him) nanny, au-pair, or babysitter, having an in-home caregiver can be extremely convenient. You can work uninterrupted since someone else caring for the kids. However, you still have the ability to monitor how the children are cared for and you can still spend time with them in the middle of the day.
If your business is starting to take off, the expense of a nanny or baby sitter can be worth it. According to 4nannies.com, depending on your area, you may pay $9 to $15 per hour for a non-live-in nanny with at least 2 years experience. (Add about another $1 per hour for social security and federal income taxes.) Having a caregiver allows you to work more hours and if your hourly rate is high enough, the extra income you earn may more than offset the money you pay your nanny or babysitter. (Not to mention the sanity you retain by having help with the kids.) It might be worth your while to do the numbers and see if it could work for you.
Some parents, however, pay for childcare and still end up spending too much time supervising the kids. Don't get stuck in that quagmire. Think specifically about what you want to have happen during the day, then work with your caregiver to make it happen.
MAKE HER AT HOME Spend the first day or two together, getting to know each other and acquainting her with the workings of your house. Linda, a freelance writer with a 9-month-old, realized she needed to introduce her babysitter to the neighbors as well. “I wasn't home when my neighbor came by to return my camera, but since my baby-sitter didn't know him and didn't know he was coming by, she wasn't willing to open the door--rightfully so. But I sure did need that camera.”
In addition to introducing your baby-sitter to frequent visitors, drive her around your neighborhood to point out the parks, local restaurants, grocery store, pediatrician, etc.
As well, make a space for her in your home. Even if she is not live-in help, she will need a place to put her bags, purse, coat, change of clothes, and other items. Consider keeping some food that she likes in the fridge, giving her a set of spare keys, and making a place for her phone messages.
MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS WHAT TO DO Write a list of her responsibilities and go over them with her when she begins working. (When hiring a nanny, you typically have her sign a contract as well.) After a month or so, go over the contract or list again so you both can identify what is going well, what need to be worked on, and what should go out the window.
Within those responsibilities, you may want to create a learning or development plan for your child, or if your caregiver has the experience, have her do it. It doesn't have to be complex. Your caregiver can help your child work on counting, letters, shapes, as well as proper speech, courtesy, sharing, and neatness, as appropriate for your child's age.
LET HER WORK As much as possible, stick to a schedule and stay in your office when working. Some parents even go as far as to keep a coffee pot or small refrigerator in the office.
If you keep reminding the kids of your presence, they may give you, as well as your caregiver, a hard time when you need to go back to work.
Resist the urge to over-instruct the nanny or babysitter. Your caregiver is not going to do everything as you do it. If you have hired a self-confident, loving caregiver, let her work--and get back to work yourself.
TREAT HER WELL Just because your caregiver works in your home does not make her a maid. If your child is active or you have more than one, let your nanny or babysitter concentrate on child care. However, if she has a lot of down time, you could ask her to take on other duties. Kevin, who works at home as a graphic artist and vidoegrapher, had to find things for the nanny to do while his two-year-old napped. “Now, she's in charge of cycling clothes, keeping their rooms and drawers organized---that sort of thing.”
Lastly, try not to ask your sitter or nanny to work overtime too often and relieve her of the kids as soon as her shift is over.
The upshot is you want your caregiver to be in charge when you are not in the room. If you plan out your arrangement, your money will be well spent. As Kevin summed it up, “The bottom line is to establish a mutual respect for you and your caregiver. We assigned a list of tasks, what we expected from her, and found out what she expected from us. We've gone out of our way to insure that she is happy and comfortable. I totally respect her and she respects us. A little respect goes a really long way.”
About the Author
Tracey Dishman Patterson is a nationally published writer who presents the Parent's Home Office - an online resource for work-at-home parents. The Parent's Home Office site and newsletter address issues and present strategies that help parents to stay sane while getting some work done. The first Parent's Home Office title, "40 Great Businesses for the At-Home Parent", can be found at Booklocker.com. Write Tracey at tranndee@parentshomeoffice.com or visit www.parentshomeoffice.com.