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Who Needs A "Mommy's Helper??" Me! Me! Me! Me! Meeeeee!

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Marketing 4 Realtors

Ok, the time has come where I'm recovered enough (???) from having my delicious twins (yes, I bite busy momthem often (but not hard) because their cheeks are so puffy and they taste soooo good!) that I'm ready to kick it up into high gear.  You see our goal is for my husband to quit his quite lucrative job with Sprint to work for me as my tech support go-to guy. In order to do that, I need to pick up at least 5 more clients.  In order to do that, I can't keep going "business as usual."

I need a Mommy's Helper.

Do any of you have one, someone who comes into your home a few times a week (or every day???) for a couple of hours a day (or all day ??) to watch your kids while you focus?  If so, how did you find that person?  What is their average rate of pay? Any suggestions about what not to do when looking for one?

I appreciate any help and advice you can give me!  And thanks in advance!

~Renae

Comments (17)

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Naoma Doriguzzi - Virginia Beach, VA

Renae - I think we are relating all too well...too bad we weren't closer we could double up on nannies and babysitters!  :)  I found a young military wife by just asking everyone - and i mean EVERYONE!  So we shall see how it goes...It is good because she has no kids right now and her husband is on deployment right now so she is pretty much available all of the time. 

Aug 19, 2008 07:53 AM
Real estate with a purpose
Our Father's Houses Realty - Easley, SC

Renae - I feel your pain/anguish/concern/guilt!!  My boys are now 4 and 7 (youngest starts K4 next week).  I've had very supportive parents and in-laws that have volunteered and/or worked for me over their lives.  Twice, I've hired non-related help.  One young teen this past summer and one college aged girl a couple years back.  They were responsible while there and kept my kids safe and my house cleaner than I left it, but not incredibly dependable for attendance.  I'm not sure how to prevent that, but maybe just be aware that it seems to be a problem in my area?  For these two young ladies, I paid about half the local rate for a daycare facility (maybe that's my attendance problem?).  For a full-time in-home professional here, you'd pay slightly more than having two children in full-time care.  Best wishes finding someone you feel good about!

Aug 19, 2008 07:54 AM
Laura Monroe
Inman News - San Francisco, CA
Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

Hey Renee~ I'd be there in a heartbeat to kiss those cute little cheeks (OK, I'd help you out too, LOL!) I don't know how you do it girlfriend!

Aug 19, 2008 12:43 PM
Not Active
Fort Mc Clellan, AL

Hi Renae,  I had a mother's helper for a bit (and I really need one again actually).  I paid $8/hour which was $3 more per hour than she could get from anyone else here.  She was CPR certified and very attentive.  She also had a child which I thought would be a great addition - a little playmate for my son and the arrangement helped her since she could earn money while being with her son. 

Anyway, her son was always sick, and they came to work when they both had strep throat.  She knew they had it and didn't tell me until the end of the day.  My son didn't catch it, I got a little sore throat, but my hubby got pretty sick and he was very angry.  That was the beginning of the end.

Bottom line.  Pay your helper well if he/she has special qualifications, lay down ground rules (like don't come to work if you're sick) and enforce them.  The helper is there to help you!

Aug 20, 2008 01:51 PM
Lindsey Hasford
Edina Realty - Elk River, MN
Bringing you home...

Renae - We are in process of employing a young single friend of ours a couple of days a week. It's taking some time to get it in place, but once it's set I think that it will be very helpful. We hadn't set a rate of pay yet so it'll be nice to see what others say on here. We are currently shooting for one day a week and I'd be happy if she just kept my boys busy so I could think for awhile. Good luck!!!! I hear your pain.

Aug 20, 2008 04:17 PM
Anna Matsunaga
Team Momentum Keller Williams Realty Tacoma - Lakewood, WA
Seller specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert

I have to have a mom's helper to survive.  I use craigs list to find people.  I look for people like me.  I also look for some one who needs extra money but needs other things even more...like to be able to bring their kids with them and to have some flexibility with their schedule, and personal growth and friends and support. 

 

I do not have alot to pay my mom's helpers as I have many other expenses and people to pay as well, but I am very appreciative, I provide meals and I also provide them a chance for advancement in my business.  It is not easy finding the right people, but when I do they are golden.  I do all I can to up their pay an give them what they need. 

 

I am sure to look for needs they have that I can fill.  Some times I even take care of their kids some of the time.  We get to know eachother and we hang out with their families socially as well.  We also do all we can to be sure they see the big picture of where our team is going and how they fit with this so that they can see a future with me. 

 

I am about to hire a teen after school hours since I am promoting my current mom's helper and she is going to be working part time as a listing co-ordinator after school hours, so I am going to need to have some one during that time.  I found a responsible teen by telling everyone I was looking for one and now I have some one who is she will be starting shortly.

 

 

Aug 21, 2008 03:41 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Renae - it's been a long time since I've hired that, but I found that it was more reliable to hire someone to take care of my two boys in their house (I dropped them off on my way to work) and also to have someone who had at least 1 child of their own.  Second suggestion: be sure to have a backup ready on short notice so that if the one you hire can't work that day, or suddenly quits, you've covered.

Aug 21, 2008 09:44 AM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Naoma - My husband sent me a link to a service called ShareNanny that does just that - you share a Nanny with another family.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a fit for another family in my area and the Nannies cost too much for me to afford on my own.  Hey - you're not that far away, why don't you and your family move here, then we can share a Nanny?!  (Would your hubby go for that?) I think I'll look into a military wife and see what I can find out.  Thanks for the tip!

Dreamfinders - That's my biggest concern, getting someone who is not dependable. My plan is to start getting back out into my local community and I can't do that effectively with 4 kids in tow (especially since they're all under 4).  I know you get what you pay for but...

Laura - I think it was pure adrenaline only now I need a much more sophisticated plan. hahhahah Oh, and by the way, once you see the cheeks, you want to bite the cheeks.  Trust me!

~Renae

Aug 21, 2008 11:59 PM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Rachel - That is sooooo not cool! How unprofessional and totally irresponsible! I'll definitely keep in mind about laying down the rules.  Once I find someone, that is!

Lindsey - That's my biggest issue. The younger ones are 3, 1, and 4 month old twins and I feel as though I am constantly jumping up to do something, get something, stop something... I can't focus for any length of time. And now, I really need to do that in order to step up my game. Just a little uninterrupted time to think about one thing at a time.

Anna - Basically, yours start out as helpers for your children but then they move on to work for your business, is that correct? Doesn't it get frustrating to have to keep finding new helpers? Are they experienced enough to work in your business?  Are you training them from the beginning to eventually move them over into your business? I'm not criticising here, just trying to understand how you do it because that may also be an option for me in the near future.

Sharon - I'm beginning to see that it is easier to find someone who will keep the kids in their home but, with 4 kids under 4 year old, it is just not feasible for me to do that right now - especially since I still have to be here to get the other two off to school and when they get home. I think I would spend more time running around than being productive. And I believe in backup because you just never know.

Aug 22, 2008 12:02 AM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

Renae-

I remember (not too long ago being in your shoes!).  I had someone come into my home to help out with the kids (mine are 20 months apart!).  She cleaned, played with them, did laundry (basically whatever needed to be done during down time).  She came 3 times a week and then my husband filled in the other 2 days (he's a FireFighter and has that kookie schedule).

Draw back.  Don't let her cook for you family!  My husband then noticed that there were no homemade tortillas, enchildadas, etc. when she wasn't around! HA!

Aug 24, 2008 09:20 AM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Good luck to you - I never had to use child care but know you would really have to be selective about looking for someone! 

Aug 24, 2008 09:28 AM
Anna Little
Greater Atlantic Shores Properties at Atlantic Shores Cooperative - Virginia Beach, VA

Do you have any connections to the local high school?  I worked in a high school for a couple years and lucked into 2 sisters whom have babysat for us for the past 6 years.  Now they are both in college.  But, this summer, the younger one was my nanny for $8 buck an hour, she came over 3 days a week.  I even let her take them to her house to swim.  I know I was lucky, but the counselors at school would be able to help you find someone!  

 

Aug 26, 2008 09:52 AM
June Lewis
Northwood Realty Services - New Castle, PA
Realtor Northwood Realty - New Castle,Pa Lawrence Co 7247304571

Hi Renae. Love your colorful presentation.  I can't help you with your problem although my daughter is going through almos the same thing.  I wanted to visit your blog and thank you for the visit and comment on my post. Hope you find a solution to your problems. There is a great amount of suggestions here and I am so glad.  That is the way it should be a sharing.......

Aug 27, 2008 02:24 AM
Florida Private Golf Communities
Golf Life Properties, LLC - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Finding Home Never Felt Better!

Too bad we're not in the same area Renae.  We could definitely share a nanny and get the matchmaking going, LOL.

Aug 27, 2008 07:38 AM
Jennifer Hartwick
Crane and Crane Real Estate - Columbia, MO

We live in a college town.  They have a virtual bulletion board available where you can post a job.  I part time babysitting job is very popular among students, I remember having one while I was in college!!  I take my son to a Mothers Morning Out program as well. They have several in our town at the different churches.  I still get a chance to work with an alternative to full time care.

Aug 27, 2008 03:50 PM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments!  They really have been a huge help.

I looked into our local high school but I don't think that will work because I need someone to be here during the day so I can work - that would be during the school day as well.  I'm currently looking into Care.com and the local colleges.

~Renae

Aug 30, 2008 06:46 AM
Wendy Timmons
Move Home Realty - Temecula, CA
Temecula Realtor

Renae- Good luck on your hunt for a helper! I feel your pain... My partner and I are lucky to have 2 friends that help us out. One does daycare and we can drop off when needed, the other just likes the extra money. Best wishes.

Aug 30, 2008 11:57 AM