Do you babysit?

I get this question a lot. I don’t mean just once in a while. I’m talking probably once a week, if not more frequently. Most of the time it’s in a joking manner, which I get, because having someone watching the kids can get expensive in today’s economy. When people are serious, it’s a blessing. I don’t work a full-time job and babysitting is currently my only income. I am so relieved that I recently landed a babysitting job four days a week. It gets me enough cash to put in my gas tank and occasionally get ice cream after dinner. I have another family that occasionally calls me to sit for them, and I love those boys dearly. They are my sweethearts! I just wish I could spend more time doing what I love. Maybe as a nanny or something? But a lot of people don’t see a nanny as a steady, life-long job. Especially with the economy. The next conclusion would be to teach at a daycare, or preschool, right? Wrong. The state has so many mandates and regulations and rulings that it takes all of the fun out of watching the kids. Not that it isn’t rewarding, but I just don’t want to if I’m to be so tethered to such rules.  My decision would be to totally change my direction and head off to beauty school when I get the chance, as to try nail design, which it one of my favorite things to do in my spare time. I’d really just like to babysit more. It allows me the flexibility to still have a life while giving me life experience and an opportunity to spend time with some wonderful young children.