Being in college, babysitting is what keeps some pocket change in my wallet...which I can't complain because it comes very handy on those urgent 1:30 A.M. "you know what sounds so good? ICE CREAM!!!" runs to the grocery store most every college girl can attest to. In high school I took one or two babysitting jobs which consisted of family friends needing me to watch their 13 and 10 year old children who were very self-sufficient, honestly not really needing a babysitter, just more of extra eyes around the house to make sure they didn't burn it down. Entering into college I was always worried about how I was going to get extra money to spend on my ever-growing early morning...mid-afternoon...late night....24/7 cravings that increasingly grew while living in a dorm. As my bank account hit $3 in my first two weeks at school, I came to a realization. I was either going to have to cut back on my excessive spending expenditures or get a job. Therefore, a job it was. While balancing an "actual real world" part time job seemed about hectic for my schedule I thought why not babysitting? Here is why I fell in love and why if you don't babysit, you better rethink:
1. It fits in my crazy busy schedule.
Being in college, I feel like I am always in a whirlwind of things to do. Today I filled out my planner for the day of things I had to do and remember and I ended up in tomorrow's section because there was just not enough room. Juggling 18 hours of classes, various involvements on campus, and an ounce of a social life, babysitting provided me the perfect opportunity to create my own schedule. I find times that work with me and I get to decide how little or how much I work.
2. I get to be bossy and kids have to listen.
While don't get me wrong, I am a sweet-as-can-be babysitter, it is nice to know that at only the age of 19 I have quite the authority. Even though I usually end up being the one making dinner and cleaning up, I like to smile deep down knowing I don't HAVE to be doing it. Or if the munchkins get a little to rowdy, my "trying to be as stern as I can for a 19 year old" voice comes out and calms them down.
3. No taxes!!!
Working all summer for a hotel, I learned how frustrating taxes were. Getting a percentage of my money taken out every month for social security as a teenager was not my cup of tea. Sorry adults, I now understand all these years later. After calculating my first paycheck, my heart dropped when I was realized it felt like half of it had just disappeared to some random government people and agencies. In babysitting that worry has quickly diminished as I get paid hourly wages out of the government's reach.
4. I have to mention the pay.
Yes, being around kids is so much more fun than washing dishing in the back of a smelly restaurant kitchen. But there is nothing like getting paid after every time you babysit in cold hard cash, check, or nowadays Venmo. No matter the form, I am getting paid good prices (usually a couple dollars higher than minimum wage per hour) right as I walk about the door.
5. I get to be in an actual home.
Being my second year of college away from home, babysitting is a bit of a relief when I get to leave my dorm room. There is a comfort I get from my room, but being in an actual home gives a comfort that cannot be replaced. I have learned to realize how much I miss having an actual kitchen with a normal sized refrigerator, cushioned couches, clean floors, and a comforting essence. While I do not get to go home very often, babysitting allows a little pinch of the feeling.
6. I have time to work on homework.
This is more dependent on the age of the children I babysit. When I am with two infants in constant need of attention who enjoy throwing their food everywhere and sending it out the other end as fast as they ingest it, this is only true when they are napping, but when I am watching the little 10 year old girl who has a TV, a phone, and two dogs my time is much more abundant. I am able to do homework, which usually turns into watching a movie, but I still have the time IF I wanted to be productive.
7. I get an excuse to some time to myself.
Being in college and constantly surrounded by friends and other people has many pros and cons. I have made some great friendships, but constantly being surrounded by others my age, I sometimes just like to be alone and to myself. While I can get this is my room, it is only to an extent. When I babysit I am with another person, but not a college student my age...even though some college students could probably use a babysitter to watch over them at times.
8. I learn a lot about myself.
I have grown a lot from babysitting over the past two years, patience being the biggest. My mother is a elementary school teacher so I have grown up being around smaller children most of my life, but babysitting has taught me how to nurture, help, and handle them. Being patient with children is so essential in babysitting as they are still growing and need someone to look out for them to tell them its probably not a good idea to use mom's expensive vase as a sword to try to hit your brother in the head while jumping off that glass table. I learn how important it is to keep the mentality of a kid in some situations and not to take life too seriously. Sometimes you just a need a little bit of "don't step on the hot lava" and Twister games to keep you sane.
9. It gives future preparation unlike any other.
Do not worry mom and dad, I do not plan on having children of my own anytime soon, but babysitting has really helped prepare me. While I will never truly know how hard it is and what it is like to be a mom until I am one, babysitting gives me a good starting point. I am able to work with kids of all ages. I have learned to change diapers and use al the assortment of bottles and wipes in the changing basket that were once a mystery. I have learned to hold 20-40 lbs. of a human-being on my arm while performing various tasks with the other. I can now cook a little more than just a bowl of cereal...I have upgraded to heated raviolis. I can kind of handle crying children, even though I am still working on why they started crying in the first place. I have gained experience in the "bounce and sing" baby motion to rock kids to sleep. Most of all, I have learned how truly messy little kids can be.
10. Great snacks are usually provided and FREE.
If you're lucky, most parents of the kids will say the magical words of "help yourself to any if you get hungry." This can be a bit tricky if you stumble along the wrong house where they having like two things in their fridge as grocery day is tomorrow, but 9 times out 10 the houses are full of yummy snacks to stuff my face with. All fellow babysitters, including myself, all have that one house we get excited to babysit for because we know they have the best snacks. It is even better because there are kids involved so they usually include fruit snacks, cereal, cookies, and frozen treats.
11. I get to be around crazy, sweet, and lovable kids.
My favorite part about babysitting is I get to spend time with children. I love being able to watch and help them grow. One of the best things about kids is they are very similar to dogs in that they just want to be loved and I am able to give that to them for a few hours. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with trying to balance being a student and learning to try to be an adult that when I am given the chance to babysit I cannot help but grin. It is such a good break to my hectic days where I get an excuse to be a kid again in playing games, watching Disney movies, make unhealthy snacks, and use my imagination. I pride myself in growing up that I never lose my sense of child-like curiosity. These kids are sometimes the breath of fresh air I need in a world of such stress.
