Hiring Help

[springmama]

I am thinking that I need to hire some help with my 5 and 2 year old. Maybe someone to come once a week for 4 hours. They are extremely high needs and demanding children. I feel overwhelmed with all of my responsibilities and the constant needs of my children. The g-parents who all live super close do not want to babysit. I finally realized that I need to get over wishing they would help out and just stop asking. My dh is self employed and works a lot so I am on my own with the kids most of the time and the only break I get is when I go to work, which isn't much of a break

Do any of you hire someone to come help you, like maybe a teenage babysitter? Did you interview them first and how much would you pay them to watch a 5 and 2 year old? TIA!

[rightkindofme]

We inconsistently use babysitters in the evenings so we can go do grown up things, but I am also thinking about having someone come play with my daughter once a week for a while. I think I am going to do this because I am pregnant and just not up for the level of play she needs.

I will be asking among my former students (I'm a 'retired' high school teacher) so I won't really need to interview anyone--I already know them rather well. I will probably pay them $8-$10/hour depending on whether they play with the kiddo around the house (so that I still do things like diaper changes and nursing and maybe getting food) or if they take her out on their own for a while.

[zinemama]

I had a mother's helper, a middle-schooler who came twice a week in the summer for a couple of hours each time. She watched the kids downstairs while I wrote upstairs. It was a long time ago, so what I paid her wouldn't be relevant. But it saved my sanity.

I would ask around to see what others are paying. It would be less if you are actually there, just not taking care of the kids. By me, the going rate for a teen babysitter (while you're out) is $7-10/hour.

You could put the word out in the local homeschooling community (if you want someone available during the days in the school year) or check with the guidance office of your nearest high school.

Definitely get someone to help you.

[QuestionGal]

We had our neighbor (college student majoring in Early Education) come for 3 hours once a week. I *needed* that time for my own sanity, made me a better mother. We paid $10/hr b/c DS was so young. I'd expect to pay $10 for two children your DC's ages.
As for finding someone:
-ask around, especially local moms groups
-check your community newsletter (ours has a section listing contact info for local kids who want to pet/house/plant/babysit)
-If there is a college near you you can post an add in the education department (or call & ask if they have a process)
-you can also call your local high school (around here most have a pre-school program that is taught by HSers who want to become teachers). The teacher may have some recommendations for you.