Mother’s Helper
February 21, 2011
Remember when I said, “I am certain that we would have to hire a chef, a maid, and an after-school nanny in order for me to go back to work” a few weeks ago? Well, I did. Kinda. I hired a Mother’s Helper and it was the smartest thing I have ever done.
I talked with the youth pastor’s wife at our church and asked for suggestions for a teen girl who could come by twice a week for an hour at a time and simply help me with whatever. Mainly, it would be laundry, light cleaning, meal prep and babysitting. She said she had just the girl and boy did she ever!
My “helper” started last week and it has worked out gloriously. She has been helping with simple tasks like folding and putting away laundry, unloading & loading the dishwasher, sweeping, dusting, wiping down mirrors & counter tops, and entertaining The Little Girl so I can work.
I try to have a list ready when she comes and we just work down the list together. I set the oven timer for exactly 1 hour as I don’t want to keep her past our agreed upon time. It’s amazing how much you can get done with 2 people in an hour. Besides, The Little Girl is smitten with my helper, which means she follows her around everywhere. More importantly, it also means that she’s not making a mess while I’m cleaning in another room. So, at the end of the hour, things start looking pretty tidy and that makes this momma very happy!
Now, I can’t be certain but I’m pretty sure this isn’t a bad gig for a teenager who is looking to earn a little extra money. It’s also good practice for future homemakers. I know that I hated doing chores at home when I was this age but the idea of getting paid for it has to make it somewhat more appealing. My helper is as pleasant as pleasant can be and words can not express how thankful I am for the help she provides me twice a week.
Right now, we have agreed that she will help me out until Spring Break. By then I should be caught up on this looming project at work, consignment time will be over, and hopefully things will go back to normal. But, I gotta admit, I may have a hard time letting her go.