Her First Job

My 12-year-old recently began babysitting for two little boys on our street. She is responsible for picking them up from their bus stop, bringing them back to their house for homework and snack, and playing with them for two hours until their parents come home from work. She does this every Monday and Wednesday.

She earned her official babysitting certificate at a day-long course last spring, but hadn’t used it until now. Over the past few months, she’s been playing outside with the kids on our street, two of whom were the 5- and 7-year-olds she now babysits. They really enjoyed her company, and she thought they were the sweetest, so it proved a natural fit when their mom asked me about whether my daughter was ready for this job.

She’s only been doing it for a few weeks now, and aside from me having to remind her each time that “today’s a babysitting day”, she’s doing pretty well with her new responsibility! Plus, she enjoys getting paid, and the freedom to save her money up for something she’ll get to choose.

Featured image photo credit: PhotoEuphoria/Thinkstock

Natalie Rea

Mom to two amazing daughters - a feisty teen in middle school, and an ambitious young adult in university. Originally from Montréal's West Island, I now explore the beautiful trails of Hamilton, Ontario. Proud Canadian, vegetarian, dog-adopter, & bleeding-heart liberal. I smile a lot because I have Resting Bitch Face.