Today we had our beautiful helper (or babysitter you could say ...but is it babysitting when you're still in the house?) come over. Let's call her Anna.
We first met Anna when the girls were 6months old. I found at that time with twins and a toddler (3 under 3) that I could really use an extra pair of hands during those witching hours of an afternoon on a Tuesday and Thursday when my Husband had late nights.
I really didn't know where to start or how to find someone to assist. I rang "In Home Care" for those with 3 under school age...check! I interviewed one Nanny through them over the phone. I also interviewed a lovely young AuPair suggested through a friend of mine. Both seemed very lovely and capable women. I just didn't know how I was going to "employ" them for an entire day or two! Honestly, I couldn't. I really just needed some help in the afternoons.
I know many of you are probably thinking, I know how I'd use their skills...but I just couldn't justify them for an entire day.
So another suggestion from a friend was to ask a high school student who needed some cash for assistance. What a good idea. We have a local girl's highschool. I rang the school, was put through to the career's teacher who heard my tale of woe and said she would help me. She would put my "case" forward to her class and then they could email me like an interview. The decision was up to me.
I had 3 applicants. I chose Anna.
Anna came every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for a good 6 months. Then I started receiving texts messages of apologies.
"Hi Helen, I'm sick and have lost my voice...do you still want me to come?"
"A teacher at our school passed away and my friend is very upset, I have to stay with her."
"My dad is in the country and tonight he wants us all at a family dinner."
"We all have to have a family meeting at the hospital for my mum's condition"
"My nephew is sick and my sister has to work."
"The family cat is being put down and I have to say my final goodbyes."
These apologies are real. I am sure they really are real, but I'm sorry I couldn't not giggle at the last one! I received that last week.
My husband said, get rid of her! That was until the last text then he said, no let's see how the rest of the year pans out "text" wise! (muted giggles)
Anna came today - I said she'd had a rough trot lately and she agreed.
I like Anna as do my children, but she is fininshing school at the end of the year and our time with Anna will probably be over.
As I said to my husband tonight. I don't "need" Anna anymore as the girls are easier at this time, but it does mean I can get more done when Anna is here.
I will miss you Anna when you leave us, but I do look forward to my phone beeping on the afternoons that you are meant to be here : )
We first met Anna when the girls were 6months old. I found at that time with twins and a toddler (3 under 3) that I could really use an extra pair of hands during those witching hours of an afternoon on a Tuesday and Thursday when my Husband had late nights.
I really didn't know where to start or how to find someone to assist. I rang "In Home Care" for those with 3 under school age...check! I interviewed one Nanny through them over the phone. I also interviewed a lovely young AuPair suggested through a friend of mine. Both seemed very lovely and capable women. I just didn't know how I was going to "employ" them for an entire day or two! Honestly, I couldn't. I really just needed some help in the afternoons.
I know many of you are probably thinking, I know how I'd use their skills...but I just couldn't justify them for an entire day.
So another suggestion from a friend was to ask a high school student who needed some cash for assistance. What a good idea. We have a local girl's highschool. I rang the school, was put through to the career's teacher who heard my tale of woe and said she would help me. She would put my "case" forward to her class and then they could email me like an interview. The decision was up to me.
I had 3 applicants. I chose Anna.
Anna came every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for a good 6 months. Then I started receiving texts messages of apologies.
"Hi Helen, I'm sick and have lost my voice...do you still want me to come?"
"A teacher at our school passed away and my friend is very upset, I have to stay with her."
"My dad is in the country and tonight he wants us all at a family dinner."
"We all have to have a family meeting at the hospital for my mum's condition"
"My nephew is sick and my sister has to work."
"The family cat is being put down and I have to say my final goodbyes."
These apologies are real. I am sure they really are real, but I'm sorry I couldn't not giggle at the last one! I received that last week.
My husband said, get rid of her! That was until the last text then he said, no let's see how the rest of the year pans out "text" wise! (muted giggles)
Anna came today - I said she'd had a rough trot lately and she agreed.
I like Anna as do my children, but she is fininshing school at the end of the year and our time with Anna will probably be over.
As I said to my husband tonight. I don't "need" Anna anymore as the girls are easier at this time, but it does mean I can get more done when Anna is here.
I will miss you Anna when you leave us, but I do look forward to my phone beeping on the afternoons that you are meant to be here : )
