Working as an in-home sitter ... Is it worth it? (Houston: low income, apartment)

[Nicole8061]

OK so here's the deal... Me and my husband will be moving to Houston from Michigan shortly after our baby is born. When we get down to Houston of course we want to be working and making money as soon as possible. But here's the problem... We don't know anyone in Houston who could baby sit while we're working and day care is wayyy to expensive to even consider right now. So I was thinking about trying to get a job as an in-home sitter so I wouldn't have to leave my newly born baby and still be making money. Is it worth it? How much should I expect to make realistically? How does this type of job work when tax season comes around? Thanks for your input. Please no negative comments.

[colcat]

I would charge per hour instead of a daily or weekly rate. It depends on the age of the child on what you would be charging ( daycares charge more for an infant due to the amount of care required). Call some daycares to get an idea how much they charge. There are many that would rather their child be in a home daycare due to less illness going around and more individualized attention. It also depends on the market you would be working in. I mean. if your clients live in a low income area, you would not be able to get away with charging say, $10.00 an hour, because they would not be able to pay it and will just look for care elsewhere. If you are babysitting a child that has two physicians as parents, for example, obviously they would be willing to pay more for the care of their child because they can afford it. Keep tract of how much you are being paid and you would have to report it as income during tax season. It is not difficult.

[Nicole8061]

Thanks for your input. As a person with minimum experience do you think it would be hard for me to find a job sitting someone's kids in their home full-time (also while cleaning)? I mean I would have my own child so maybe that would make me look at least a little experienced and make them more confident in me

[Glossa]

If I paid for someone to come into my home and watch my child, they would have to have many years of experience, and I would also not want them to bring their own child with them. Does your husband already have a job here? If not, maybe you should stay where you are.

[Meyerland]

Could you do an in home daycare in your own place? That would be ideal. You get to watch your children and one or two other children. Lots of people do that.

[Nicole8061]

No, home daycare is not an option since we will be renting an apartment instead of owning a home

[nana053]

Originally Posted by Nicole8061

Thanks for your input. As a person with minimum experience do you think it would be hard for me to find a job sitting someone's kids in their home full-time (also while cleaning)? I mean I would have my own child so maybe that would make me look at least a little experienced and make them more confident in me

I would generally want a sitter who had worked with children of the ages of mine rather than one who was a new mom with an infant, but... it would depend a lot on how you presented in an interview and how you got along with my kids.

I know plenty of sitters who bring their own child with them, but it really depends a lot on the age of the child.

A small daycare in your own home might work better, but check into the licensing requirements.

[colcat]

I don't think you would have a problem finding work. Lots of people would love to have someone come to their home. It saves them having to haul their child out at 6:30 in the morning to daycare.

[DJboutit]

State says if you taking care of like 4 or more children you should apply as a home daycare and if you plan to live in a apartment then you have no chance of being a home daycare

[descovy]

Would you consider getting a job at a daycare? My husband lost his job while I had 3 kids under 4. Working elsewhere was out of the option. This was a church daycare but they cut me a great deal on the kids, and I even nursed the baby on my lunch hour.