So, since I'm not my normal entertaining humorous self today. Even though it's 9:15pm and I'm normally just coming alive now! I thought I would update you all on the babysitter post.
As previously stated, I posted a sign in German asking for a babysitter. I had 4 German teenagers call (and 1 American dad for his American teen from the 1 sign I posted in English).
I met with the 1st two, both of the same name and both wanting to do it together. Which, I would normally be a bit wary of, you know two teens getting engrossed in something they are doing together and forgetting about my kids! But after I met them, I really think that they want to do it together (and share the pay btw, not paying them both 1/2 my pay! I like to feel like the Rockefeller's, but I know deep down that I'm not!) to give each other the confidence they need.
I mean really, everyone that called is so very courageous to call a person who doesn't speak their language and come to my house hoping I'm not some crazy person! I'm not sure I would have done that as a teen. Oh wait, sure I would have. Who am I trying to kid? I would have thought, sure why not, what's the worst that can happen, maybe they won't even hire me. (I never thought about the worst things that could happen, until I had kids! Now that's all I think about! I've turned into my mother, shhhh, don't tell her though!)
Well, one speaks English pretty well and the other is very quite and shy. They both are pretty quiet, the girls said that they used a lot of gestures when I had them come sit for an hour at the house while I was home. But they came on time, and seem eager to come any time I need them. They live just 1 street over and since German schools get out at 12:30-1pm, they are very available!
The other girl was super super quiet/shy. I don't know how much shyness to attribute to their personalities versus how much to contribute to their ESL status! This girl seemed oh so nice, lived a bit further away, but still walkable, had a little bit of a stutter and appeared to speak less English than the pair. (once again, really? or just when she speaks English?) I liked her, but the other girls had younger siblings and cousins they've been around alot. I did tell her I didn't need anyone for a few weeks, 14 days. So then I'll have to call her (assuming the pair works out) and let her know I already have someone.
It seems that Germans don't traditionally use babysitters. I'm assuming the same reasons many of you out there don't use them....they live around extended family and would rather have their kids stay with family rather than teenagers. I would prefer that too, but it is impossible. So, anyway, none of the German's had actual babysitting backgrounds. But neither did I before I had kids and I haven't killed them yet, so here's hoping!
Then I also had another person call, who spoke very good English on the phone, but I told them I had already seen 3 people. I did let her know that she could save my phone number and call me back in 5-6 months to make sure I was happy with them.
I have some times set up for my babysitting pair, and we'll see how it works out. I have big dreams of taking them with us when we travel! We would be able to eat dinner and ride roller coasters as a couple, and have our own personal translators and insider tour guides! (Rockefeller) I'm thinking we could be invited to their family get togethers, we can meet/be introduced to other Germans, and visit each other for many years to come! But for now I'll settle for their parent's comments on Pediatric Dentists, good suggestions where we can eat, and some small German language lessons for me and the kids.
No comments:
Post a Comment