Advice about opening small bbsitting

amother

OP ↓

Yesterday at 7:15 am

Hi. Now that I am past the child rearing stage, I am thinking about opening a small bositting in my home. I was thinking about doing 0-6 months for 2 hours a day, like 10-12. An everyday commitment for mothers who need that 2 hour break. l'd take maybe 4 babies. Does this sound like something people would use? And if so what would be a fair amount to ask? Thanks so much for all advice

cupcake123

Yesterday at 7:17 am

Other should chime in but my first thought is 2 hours is too little. Like not enough time to do an errand without feeling rushed. I think minimum 3 hours. Otherwise it's a great idea.

amother

Currant

Yesterday at 7:20 am

I dont think 2 hours set time with commitment is something people would be interested in. I use a dropoff baby sitter meaning she is available all day I just pay for 2 hours when I need it. It costs me more but it makes a lot more sense for me. If it was a set time every day only 2 hours I would maybe do it if someone came to my house. I dont know anyone in my neighborhood who does only 2 hours and they are set and a commitment for the parent

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 7:22 am

I hear that. I also thought maybe 3x a week but only committed

teachkids ↓

Yesterday at 8:13 am

Who’s your clientele? It’s not working parents. It’s not parents who are tight on money because one parent is home with the kids. Anyone with a lot of money has full time help. So you’re catering to the group of: stay at home parents with money, but not a lot of money, to spare. Is that really a large enough group where you live?

amother

Lavender

Yesterday at 8:15 am

Maybe for older babies. It's not worth the shlep and packing up to take a newborn out of the house for two hours, especially if it's a specific time

amother

Orange

Yesterday at 8:20 am

For that age, if I'm not working, 2 hours at a specific time would not be worth it to me. Their sleep schedules are so unpredictable.
I have an 18 month old that is home with me all day. Would love to send him out for 2 hours 3x week. At that age nap time is more predictable and I would send out after his nap. It would give me time to drink a coffee in peace LOL

and perhaps fold laundry or put up dinner uninterrupted.
But also the total per month would need to be less than playgroup, otherwise I can just send him out full time for the same price.

amother

Diamond

Yesterday at 8:23 am

agree that 2 hours is too short. I think it's more likely people would be interested if it were more like 4 hours, 2-3x a week. You're catering to people that are basically sahm but want to send their baby out sometimes - what is the point of just 2 hours? by the time they pickup and dropoff it's not any longer of a break than they might get if their baby takes a nice nap.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 9:22 am

Right I just remember wishing I had a set few hours just to shower and anything else. I would do older except to be honest, I can’t do big kid diapers to the point where I gag unfortunately. I’ll force it for my own grandkids but I’m just being honest

amother

Amaranthus

Yesterday at 9:30 am

If I had a baby that young, I would never want him to be part of a group of 4 being watched. That is way too many.

amother

Phlox

Yesterday at 9:52 am

amother OP wrote:

Yes it’s nice to have a few hours to yourself with a newborn, but what SAHM has a spare $60-$100 a week to pay for that? (Figure 8 hours a week if there’s no Friday, at $8-12)

↑ teachkids

Yesterday at 9:54 am

Also realize the mothers that need this are the ones with Velcro babies who need to be held all day- how are you doing 4 of those at a time?

amother

↑ OP

Yesterday at 10:01 am

I was thinking Something like a twin carrier and little bassinets. I was a very attachment type mother so I’m not into ever letting babies cry. I think I’d be able to handle 4 for 3 hours.

amother

Dodgerblue ↓

Yesterday at 10:05 am

I have a small group of older kids currently. I've done part-time in the past with younger kids but longer hours like 9-1. At one point I had a 5 mo old, 2 3 mo olds, and a newborn. I wouldn't recommend it. Perhaps you want to do it for longer hours with an assistant.

amother

↑ Dodgerblue

Yesterday at 10:07 am

amother OP wrote:

I was thinking Something like a twin carrier and little bassinets. I was a very attachment type mother so I’m not into ever letting babies cry. I think I’d be able to handle 4 for 3 hours.

Newborn babies can cry a lot.
Realistically 3 would be crying while you held 1.

amother

Lily

Yesterday at 10:38 am

I’d LOVE that for my 1+ year old babies/toddlers! Anyone who sends out an infant is usually doing it because they work and they need a lot more hours than that

amother

Honey

Yesterday at 11:01 am

I agree that the hours wouldn't make sense for most people, but If that's what works for you then I'm sure there's clients out there.
Would you do earlier for parents who go to work early, and have a full day babysitter starting later? Such as 7-9? That might make sense.
The rate in my area is about $10 per hour

amother

Strawberry

Yesterday at 11:45 am

A drop-in option at that age would be useful.

I've babysat and I constantly get drop-in calls (I very rarely take dropins because I'm usually full).
But I got a lot of calls from mothers who had appointments or a levaya and they can't take their infants.
But that's not a set, committed time per week.

amother

Candycane

Yesterday at 11:56 am

As someone with many years experience babysitting, those hours 10-12 are generally nap time for 0-6 months. If Mom's really need a break they probably would prefer timing during the babies wake window. Maybe consider doing 12-2.