https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 17:19:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-helper-questions#post-2843502 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:00:31 +0000 Foodnerd81 2843502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 9 year old neighbor girl who occasionally is a mother’s helper for me. She is so young, she’s really just playing with the kids, entertaining them, reading to them, and basically keeping them occupied so I can have some peace and get stuff done. I’ve only had her come sporadically when DH is traveling for work. I think it would be more helpful on a regular basis, like twice a month as you are suggesting, but it hasn’t worked out like that yet. I pay her $5 an hour. She lives down the street so her mom usually walks her up. </p> <p>One thing I find help is designating an area where they should play. Like if I want to do stuff downstairs in the kitchen or something, I tell them to play upstairs. </p> <p>I figure it’s a win for all of us- The kids are occupied and happy, she is more fun to play with than me, she actually really likes spending time with them, and when she’s a little older I will have a well trained babysitter my kids love who lives a few houses away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-helper-questions#post-2843499 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:40:44 +0000 Silva 2843499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did something like this but the girl was older and we used her as a nighttime babysitter sometimes, too. She came once a week last summer, from about 12-3 and entertained my older child while my baby napped (and then played with the younger one when he woke up, too). I often used the time for cleaning or just hanging out in silence.<br /> I paid her 10.00 an hour plus a little extra- rounding up, adding a tip, that kind of thing (but again, she was 14- turned 15 that summer). THe first couple of times they hung out here, and I was super impressed with her (I thought she might struggle to set limits, etc but she was awesome). After that, if the weather was nice she'd usually pack some snacks and waters and take the stroller to the playground. This was ideal because my daughter couldn't come looking for me, and the sitter didn't have to worry about keeping her out of my hair. They'd also play outside a lot, or in my daughter's room, if they were staying here.</p> <p>We don't hire her much now, once every couple of months for date nights, but thats just because we are cheap and try to get my parents to do it for free before we call her....<br /> When she is babysitting both kids for dinner/bedtime I pay 15 an hour plus rounding up or a tip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-helper-questions#post-2843492 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:09:18 +0000 crazydoglady 2843492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So our "mother's helper" is 16, but I pay her 10 dollars an hour. She's only been over once, but she played with DS, did art projects, took him outside, and made sure they were all cleaned up. The plan is for her to help out two nights a week once DD gets here while my husband is coaching tennis. I figured I would provide dinner, too, even if it was just pizza or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-helper-questions#post-2843491 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 19:02:36 +0000 MamaBear87 2843491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Were thinking about doing this next may when our second gets here. It's our next door neighbors son though and we know he adores our daughter. </p> <p>We'll likely pay him 10 for the couple hours. We might grab something special for them to play with sometimes but they already color and play hide and seek when we have dinner at each other's houses. </p> <p>I think it's an awesome arrangement with an older toddler </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-helper-questions#post-2843489 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:40:02 +0000 SweetCaroline 2843489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd like to hire a 12 year old to play with my 3-1/2 year old daughter for 2-3 hours twice a month on Saturdays. I WOH 50+ hours/week and my husband is often on-call. I'd have her help when DH is on-call. I'd use the time to crank some work out (meal prep, finally get to the bottom of my paperwork abyss, laundry, etc.) so I can focus on my daughter outside of those few hours. </p> <p>This particular girl could grow into a date night and/or summertime babysitter. Her responsibilities at this time would be to keep my daughter safe, play with her, and work with her/encourage her to pick up any toys/activities they use.</p> <p>Have you used a mother's helper like this before? What advice do you have to make this arrangement successful? Also, what would you pay? The girl will not have any experience but will be taking the Red Cross babysitting course. They live nearby and we'll split transportation duties with her family. </p>