I like making money. I mean who doesn't?! So after going first semester with no "real" job, I decided the hunt was on.
At the beginning of the school year I had decided I would focus on school and maybe do a little babysitting here and there. Using Care.com, I read MANY job descriptions, had multiple interviews, and shortly after, landed a job.
The first job I got was babysitting a 4 year old. Now this 4 year old is an energetic, stubborn, creative, and willfully-minded little boy. He is the kind of kid who wouldn't mind sitting on the couch for hours just watching TV. However, as a babysitter, that's not how I role. I believe it's important to stimulate children's imaginations, and provide opportunities for learning and fun. So, oftentimes I would find myself spitting out ideas at him of fun things to do. Typically he'd be glued to the TV and not pay attention to me one bit. So I would just start doing a craft/activity and slowly he'd be interested in what I was doing. That's when I would sneak over, turn the TV off and commence with the activities. If that didn't work, then I'd suggest we go play at the park, which typically was a big hit.
Every child has a very different personality, so when you begin caring for a new kid you must figure out their personality, and fast. I hadn't watched anybody quite like this little boy, so I constantly found myself trying out different techniques. When he got mad, he got MAD. This kid acted a lot smarter than your typical 4 year old. When he was unhappy with something, he would try to attack me emotionally. He'd bash on my ideas and tell me that he would tell people not to like me. I often see that kind of behavior in preteens, so coming from a 4 year old, I was shocked! At first I didn't know how to respond. The first time it happened I tried discipline and rebuttal. The second time, I tried lecturing him on how it wasn't nice to say those things and a "cool down". The third (and last) time it happened, I tried asking him why he was feeling upset, and then instead of dropping it when nothing was working, I continued interacting with him until he settled down.
I think it's important to find not only what works best for your kid, but what is healthiest for them. I realized that going straight to discipline wasn't going to help at all. He continued to be upset, and instead of showing him that it was ok to be mad, I showed him that I wouldn't be there when he was upset. Therefore, he was abandoned and needed to figure it out on his own. Also, I tried rebutting to all the hurtful things he was saying. For example, he would say something like "your games are for babies," then I'd say "well that's ok, because I like it. You don't have to play with it." While this seemed like an ok thing to say at the time, it didn't work for him because it only made him more upset. I'm older and therefore I know I'm smarter, so arguing or rejecting what he is saying, doesn't help anything. It adds to his fuel and he will continue spitting out insults until he can stump you.
When I was faced with the situation again, I immediately decided to try something new. I decided that I'd try to tell him why it wasn't nice. I had a very calm tone, and I told him just to listen to me. I shushed him whenever he would try to interrupt with an insult. I'd then follow the shush by saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Every single time he tried to insult me, I'd follow it with the same routine until he finally stopped. I then talked to him about how it was hurting my feelings and I know he didn't mean. I just talked and talked and talked. I realized that this, although better than the first trial, was still not the best. I didn't give him a chance to express his feelings in a positive manner. I shut him up, therefore showing him what he was saying didn't matter. And although what he was saying was rude and he should learn not to, I still should have given him the change to explain himself and his frustrations in a positive way.
The last time this happened, I remembered what had happened before and decided to mix in a few of the techniques. The first thing I did was tell him that we were headed down a bad path and that he should stop and think about what he was saying. Then, I reminded him that he should only say positive things to people. Lastly, I had a discussion with him about BOTH of our feelings, not just mine. The issue seemed to be resolved the fasted and we were able to continue having fun together.
Now that I've told you the difficulties about that job, I just want to mention some positives. This boy was incredibly creative! I gave him a bath every night and while he would bathe he would play with his toys. It was amazing listening to his silly scenarios. He also loved the park. He would make a friend every time we went. He was friendly and able to play with others or by himself. He was such a fast runner! I made up a game to get us home from the park before dark, and he was completely willing to comply. When I got tired from running he would urge ME on. He had excellent motor skills and body control. He could play catch with great accuracy. He was always willing to build paper airplanes with me and launch them off of his third floor building. We'd then run down the stairs to get them and bring them back up and do it again. He was a fun kid and I do miss watching him.
At the start of the new semester I had to quit that job due to my schedule change. I began looking for more babysitting jobs that would fit my schedule. I also began looking for a "real" job in order to make more money!
I have two occasional babysitting jobs now. Both are for amazing baby girls. The first family lives in a little one room apartment with a very friendly dog. The couple is so incredibly sweet and artistic. Their daughter is one and a few months. She has a loving little personality. She's so sweet and she really loves her parents. I say that because she cries when her parents leave (or even come home). In my psychology class, I learned that around that age it is completely normal for babies to do that. In fact, it would be bad if they didn't cry at all. It's called secure attachment. The baby will cry right when the parent leaves and will stop soon after the parent is gone (which is exactly what she does). If the baby were to cry the whole time, then you would have a problem which is unhealthy. Anyway, this little girl is a really fun one to watch. I've mostly babysat her during night shifts, and last time I had to put her to bed. I just rocked her and sang her songs, and she laid her little head on my shoulder. Heart warming I tell you!
The other little girls is also a perfect little baby. Her parents are so amazingly generous and friendly. Their daughter is almost a year old. She hasn't gotten to the point of crying when they leave yet (which I'm thankful for). She is a pretty easy one to watch. She's friendly, smiley, and playful. I think she'll for sure be a little heart breaker some day.
I love babysitting children of all ages because every single one brings something new to the table. They all teach me something new and I love getting to know all of their personalities. However, I decided to find a "real" job because I need a constant schedule and work experience. It's hard putting babysitting/nannying on a resume (I do it anyway). So, I began applying to places near campus.
I applied to...
Target
Starbucks
Lucky
I first got the call from Target for an interview. This call came over my winter break, so I was in Oregon. I told them when I'd be back and we scheduled a date. About a week later, I got an email from Starbucks saying I was invited to a hiring event. Turns out both the Target interview and Starbucks interview were scheduled on the same day! (no worries, different times)
I prepared interview questions and practiced answering in my head. Once I got to Target the morning of the interview I was told that they couldn't find my application. EXCUSE ME. You brought me in here for an interview and you cant find my application?! So I ended up filling out another stupid application. There was one other guy there who was also being interviewed (thankfully for a different position). He was done filling out his application first, so he was interviewed first (although I was there first). I then handed in my completed application. Within a few minuets the women who was helping us came back out to me. She said "we're actually not hiring seasonal employees." WHAT?! You bring me in here and have me refill out a freaking application and then tell me you're not hiring for that position?! She asked me if I still wanted to go on with the interview process. DUH. I continued on to the interview regardless. The interview lasted approximately 10 minuets. I did everything I was suppose to. I was friendly, I related life-experiences, I asked questions. The whole shabang. I asked when I could expect to hear back. She said call us in 3-5 days. Alright. The only thing I was thinking was that I hope Starbucks would be better.
I got to Starbucks a few minuets before the hiring event began. I signed in and was told to read the dress code policy. I noticed AT LEAST 10 other people there for interviews (keep in mind, there were two 2 hour hiring time periods). I thought oh geez, I'm never going to get hired. But I wasn't nervous or freaking out because I did just interview for Target. So I waited for 15 minuets and was finally next up on the list. Starbucks mangers from all over San Francisco were the interviewers. I was called on by a nice lady... luckily.
We had a fairly informal interview. I hadn't rehearsed any of these questions, nonetheless heard of these questions. It was just a friendly conversation. Right after the interview-- being only the second person she interviewed-- she said, "I'll give you a call because I'd like you to work at my store." WHAT?!? Did I just get hired? It definitely threw me for a loop. I was completely ecstatic. I didn't even care that her Starbucks wasn't as close to me, it was close enough.
A week or so later I got dates for training. Myself along with 5 others would be training together. Currently, I have one training left, then I get to jump in and start really working! I've loved the people and the job so far. Everyone has been extremely friendly and incredibly diverse. I'm really excited to begin working.
That's it for now! Thanks for reading. Comment, ask questions, give me ideas, whatever! By the way, a few days ago I got a call from Lucky asking me if I wanted an interview-- they're a little late on the uptake!
