After raising three children and now managing an empty nest, I realized that what I enjoyed the most was about my life was children - so I decided it was time to get back into life with kids. I need flexibility, though, so I didn't want to commit to a full-time assignment.
I do all my sitting in your home. I don't want to be your primary sitter with a weekly, standing schedule -- I want to be your back-up, occasional or even emergency responder -- or sit for your children when you have needs you can schedule but aren't on the same date/time every week. I want to work for today's busy families, with an emphasis on providing services during the school week -- day or night, especially during those times when your "regular sitter" isn't available. I want to help when you NEED a sitter for something you know you have to do --get your haircut, doctor's appointment, volunteering in your older child's classroom -- all things best done without the baby along.
While I love kids of ALL ages -- I'm especially well suited and happy to take care of infants. I have done infant CPR training and I raised 3 of my own (pretty close together too!) I really think of myself as local "family" -- if your mom or your aunt isn't around but you need to go out, I'm here. I'm "Anda" to most of my little ones -- and I look forward to the little face peering through the window when I arrive. I've done music class and even kindergym for a Mom with a conflict. I can schedule well in advance and it gives me something to look forward to. Your children are a blessing to me.
I'm more than happy to take care of older children, but so are countless local college kids -- and I cannot compete with a 22 year old who drives a cool car. On the other hand, if you need help spontaneously -- either an emergency in your life or in your regular sitter's schedule -- I'm there. If you have a regular nanny and they need a vacation (and you don't want to use your vacation to substitute for them), call me. While I'm not offering any housekeeping services, I promise I will leave your home looking no worse than when I got there, and I'll happily do light laundry while your own children are napping.
My credentials are anecdotal: I grew up in this community, going to TE schools and then Baldwin. I am married with three children (ages 27, 26 and 24, two boys and a girl.) Our children went to local schools - two graduated from Conestoga, and one from Haverford. Our sons graduated from Duke Engineering and our "baby" daughter from Harvard. I was on the T-E School Board for 3 terms, serving as President and Vice-President and other various assignments. I have taught Sunday School to 3 year olds, 4th graders and 8th graders. I was a Junior Achievement counselor to middle and high school kids right out of college. I helped with Junior Golf. I coached softball, kept score in little league, did publicity for Berwyn Paoli sports for the local papers and other kid-based activities. I once chaperoned 5 kids ages 6-13 in Europe for six weeks -- no other adults along with us. I truly enjoy the company of kids. I completed a certification program with the Red Cross in Adult/Child/Infant CPR and First Aid.
Rates start at $15 an hour for one child (aiming for a $50 minimum but that is flexible depending on how far I need to travel to get to you) but they are negotiable depending on the ages and stages of the kids as well as the services required and the time of day.
I don't want to care for your children until you and I have talked and met. Call or email me and we can schedule some time to meet and talk. I have some very good references and would be happy to share them.
These pictures are representative of my life -- and maybe yours tomorrow. When they are little, days can take forever -- but years FLY by. It's hard to believe your children really will grow up and fly away.
Don't worry -- the baby ducks are okay. Nobody fell in. They just grew up... and they aren't babies anymore! All 3 of my ducks are productively employed!
Which means I'm an empty-nesting mom with some free time!
All children need
- Love and Limits.
- Roots and Wings
I believe that parents who can leave their children with a responsible sitter truly empower their little ones to know that they can survive in Mom and Dad's absence. I would love to provide that comfort zone for you to find some time for yourself.
This page was last updated: January 30, 2010
I am a registered member of SitterCity.com -- completed background check for criminal history and identify verification 8/16/07 by Lexis-Nexis and have countless references for my sitting since that time.
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EmptyNestingMom.com
