Comments on: Summer jobs

By: Amy’s Humble Musings » Everything’s broken

Amy’s Humble Musings » Everything’s broken — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:46:21 +0000

[...] for jelly shoes to come to our neighborhood Little General store before I could afford them with my car wash money. I was never cool enough for the mall. I wanted to fit in, to belong, to own stuff that wasn’t [...]

By: katie

katie — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:33:28 +0000

i want to have a some money of my own sooooo bad, but i don’t know where to start!!! i have tried a lot of solutions, but nothing works!!! got any ideas? help me out please!!!

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:14:50 +0000

I babysat from the time I was 12 until about 10 months ago (am now 25) and always had a ball; I certainly would never mind a teenager as babysitter.
Children always seem to want me to read to them…usually the same books over and over and over and… I babysat for my last family A LOT until all involved moved (four boys, now 7, 5 and 2 1/2 twins)as their mother worked. A LOT means being consulted on what groceries were needed and being dubbed ‘Mama Laura’. The funniest was when I took the two little ones to get their shots and a mother in the waiting room complimented me on my sons and how much they looked like me LOL! Sort of like a pet that looks like the owner after a while… The experience also taught me how to manouvre my bike with 4 children on or in the direct vicinity of it (the joys of livig in Holland). Be thankful for your cars!!!!!!

By: catherine

catherine — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:33:05 +0000

I am not all that far removed from the babysitting age - I babysat from about age 11 up through my college years. Looking back on my own babysitting experience, I remember my parents always had to know whose children I would be watching, and if they didn’t know the family personally, they had to have “recommendations” from whomever gave that family my name. Until I reached driving age, my parents dropped me off and picked me up mostly, but I can remember a few of those questionable rides home from the parents I didn’t know so well. Babysitting was a great way for me to make money (plus I didn’t have to pay taxes or wear a silly uniform like so many of my friends did!) and once I had a group of “regulars,” I became like part of their family too. I will never forget having to find replacement babysitters to continue in my place when I left for college 300 miles away from home - one set of parents swore they wouldn’t go out unless I was home for a break (somehow I don’t think that actually happened). It was a great experience and really taught me about disciplining children, consistency, diapers, tv-allotment, and all that other stuff!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 04:49:45 +0000

I like your comment and reminder that “nothing is wasted”. Even down to the inebriated ramblings of an innapropriate adult. Truly God is in control of all things and it does us well to think on this.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 01:11:12 +0000

I know that I had to go through similar situations with drunk adults, and I hope that you always instill in your children the knowledge that they don’t have to do as adults say in those situations.

By: Martha

Martha — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 21:47:42 +0000

I never really babysat other people’s children outside of our home until I was much older and then I can remember one time. I babysat my brothers and sisters ALOT! I am the oldest of 11 so it was alot of babysitting. i think some of the most difficult experience we had was when we had prayer meetings at our house and there was some children who did not listen at all. The one little boy when my sister brought him to his father had scratched her hands until they were bleeding by the time she got him there.
It did prepare me for mothering somewhat, but I think I would have loved being more of a child with a little less responsiblity for my brothers and sisters behaviour.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 21:38:47 +0000

Hi! I have been reading and enjoying your blog for some time now and felt that I just had to put in my two cents on this subject. Not only was I an eleven year old babysitter I was also a nanny in NYC from the time I was 21 to the age of 27. I loved taking care of children and took classes on CPR and babysitting at the Red Cross. Things were different when I was 11. People were better behaved and manners were still encouraged. There was only one time that I was confronted witha drunk parent and I called my dad. Nannying is a whole ‘nother story and I wouldn’t do that again for all the money in the world, not that I have to since I am married with kids of my own. All that to say, babysitting is a good way for kids to learn responsibilty, if they have the proper training and appitude for taking care of kids. Thanks for a great blog Amy!
Angela

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:16:51 +0000

I never really enjoy myself when we leave our children with teenagers. My husband is always telling me to relax. My response to him is “I used to babysit, you did not. I do not know what could be happening right now at our home.” Thankfully we have 1 or 2 very mature and resposible girls, but if i cannot get them I am always hesitant to leave.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:15:39 +0000

Amy
Thanks for clarifying your point. Quite honestly, I was wondering what it was, because usually your posts *do* have clear points, as you said.

I relate to your babysitting saga…I did much babysitting at the same age you were.

And, to your point, that you clarified–’tis a very good one, indeed.