If you read my About Me page, then you know I love all things kids, babies, animals, and seniors. I was raised to be a caregiver and it has stuck with me throughout my life. I am happiest when I'm on the floor playing with the kids and the critters.
Being the oldest girl of my family, the roll of caregiver naturally fell to me. Growing up, both of my parents worked full time, and I was the kid in charge of my three siblings until our mother returned home. I became the neighborhood babysitter at a pretty young age (always with my parents just a few houses away). These experiences served to build confidence, as well as common sense methods of "holding down the fort" whenever necessary. In later years the caregiver role shifted from kids to my grandparents (and eventually my parents) in times of illness and routine eldercare. From being a helping hand when needed, to ultimately being the caregiver at that stage when love was the only medicine left, I have learned that comfort and kindness (and ice cream) can help more than just about anything else.
Details of my background can be discussed in person, but here is a sneak peak into the last few years. I have been the Nanny for my current family for almost four years, both full time and on an as-needed basis. The Mom is a doctor, and the Dad is a businessman who splits his time between out of town trips and working from home. My "most-favorite 8 year old" is the sweetest and smartest young lady, and the baby boy charmer is almost three now. I began working with this family when the daughter started pre-k, and the baby was not yet a twinkle in Mom's eyes. I took over the baby's care part time at the age of 4 months and full time at 7 months. As we have done in past summers, we will go back to an as-needed basis at the end of the school year. Grandmother comes, 2 or 3 vacation trips, science camp, cousins, and play dates will keep the kids on the go until the fall.
I am currently available on weekends, date nights, etc. and daytime hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginning the second week of June, my schedule will open up to full availability.
If you need assistance with a senior loved one, I can provide hours ranging from full time assistance, to as few hours as needed for scheduled wellness checks. We know our seniors can be very independent and do not always welcome a stranger into their home environment. A new person who will just drop by to visit, or make an afternoon trip to the senior center for lunch, a game of bingo, cards, or a movie, always proves to be a much more welcome situation. I am not a medical caregiver, nor certified to manage medications. I can, however, check to see if the supplied medicines are still in their container, or have been taken as needed.
With regard to work around the house while babysitting: many families think that as long as they are paying someone to come into their home, that person should do some chores around the house. We all love coming home to find those little messes that were there when you had to run out the door in the mornings, no longer there, no longer one more thing you have to deal with at the end of a long day. The truth of the matter for me, is that if you're paying me to care for your children, keep them safe, keep them occupied and happy, not bored and ending up in mischief, then that is what I should be doing while I am in your home. If I'm in another room doing housework, that means I am not participating with your children. I'm a pretty fun nanny. Kids love me because I play with them, on the floor, from lego's and cars and books, to board games and crafts. So with that being said, house cleaning will have to be discussed on a case by case situation.
In the case of house cleaning during senior care, this can also be determined on a case by case basis. We know sometimes our senior loved ones cannot manage all the requirements of running a household.
Do your needs involve transportation? My vehicle is a unique style van, a Ford Transit Connect, 1 1/2 years old. I love it. It fits three in the second seat, and has a very large rear cargo area, great for the kid's stuff or senior equipment. I carry full coverage insurance and I have as clean a driver's record as you will ever find (read: I drive like a little old lady. Annoys people, but no tickets and we always get there safe and sound.) But...as we all know, gas and insurance are not cheap these days. If transportation is required, there will have to be travel compensation as well as the hourly wage.
With age comes wisdom...Are you trying to decide between a teenager / college student type caregiver or an adult / parent style caregiver? I'm middle aged. Kids see me as being older than their parents and younger than their grandparents. I'm that favorite aunt type person. The kids love this because it gives them the security and feel of having an adult present, but one who will play and talk to them on their level, acknowledging how smart they really are, not just treating them like a little kid. (Obviously, in an age appropriate manner.)
With regard to location: I am located in the Fort Worth, Hurst, North Richland Hills area. Most of my clients have been in the areas near Keller, Trophy Club, Southlake, Colleyville, and Flower Mound. There are definitely closer locations, but with the challenges of heavy construction in my area, I've found it easier to drive a little further while staying off the freeways as much as possible. I am open to any location where I can feel confident of a consistent on-time (early) arrival.
Last but not least, I am a Christian. I don't bring this into your home necessarily, but it is part of my personality. My current family is of a different religion, not Christian. It does not affect our relationship in any manner. If you are adverse to religion, it probably will not be a good fit.
Thank you for taking the time to check out
SHE FINDS JOY
and my
"NEED A HELPING HAND ?"
information page.
Feel free to contact me by email, and we can visit further.
meredithservices@zoho.com
