The holiday season is a great opportunity for babysitters to find some extra work. With the kids on holiday and parents dashing around scrubbing houses from top-to-bottom, wrapping presents and attending social events – a little extra help is often just what a lot of families need. Babysitters can grab last-minute jobs with families needing cover for their nanny’s holiday, or families whose regular college sitter is back with their family for Christmas.
Here are 4 factors you should consider when it comes to babysitting during the holidays.
Say how you can ease the holiday rush
Moms and Dads are often incredibly busy at this time of year – and that often means they’re experiencing a lot more stress. When looking for babysitting jobs during the holidays, think about ways you can make parents’ lives easier. Perhaps you could watch the kids while they shop for the holidays, or you could entertain the little ones with a festive baking party. Offer to grab the grocery list and turn shopping with the kids into a math lesson. Consider addressing holiday cards, while simultaneously working with children on their penmanship.
Make the most of your skills
Many families look for double duty — someone who can tutor their kids in math or science, as well as babysit while they get their shopping done or have a grown-up night out.
Think about the subjects you excel in or the hobbies you enjoy. Being able to help kids achieve excellence in creative writing, Spanish or algebra — or learn a new skill such as knitting or crafting — can add to your hireability during the holiday season and beyond.
Appeal to the right person
Many families travel to be with their relatives or friends during the holidays, and find themselves looking for child care in unfamiliar territory. Sometimes grandparents need to seek out babysitters without much recent experience in hiring babysitters. People who are entertaining out-of-town guests have a lot on their plates and are grateful to find babysitters they can count on and trust.
While the teenager next door might be the easiest choice, a sitter’s flexibility and trustworthiness will prove even more important.
They may be looking for a part-time babysitter to be ready to help out and make the holiday season less stressful and more of a chance to catch-up with family, instead of being distracted by the youngest crying.
Remember that it’s not just parents who are looking for childcare support this time of year and tailor your search accordingly. Families are busy and stress makes people decide to lean on others for support.
Get hired!
If you’re looking for a job during the holidays, get the word out. Let people, such as your neighbours and friends, know that you’re looking for babysitting jobs.
Post a new profile on Care.com to get noticed by families looking for help. Already have a profile? Update it with your latest information. Make sure your profile mentions when you are free during the holiday season, update the availability section, talk about how you can help families this time of year (use the ideas we suggested above) and upload a festive holiday picture of yourself.
It’s the busiest time of the year, so families really need your help caring for their children. A little extra money will certainly help your holiday shopping budget! So make your profile stands out, highlight your skills and let your personality shine through. The next thing you know, you’ll be landing a terrific job.
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