Overview

Are you looking to truly make an impact on a child's life and become a meaningful part of their day to day? Are you patient and understanding? This is a really wonderful opportunity! The family lives in Park Slope and consists of mom and her 10-year-old son. She works for the DOE and splits her time between home and the office, or out on assignment all over the city. The SmartSitter would be her right hand in picking up the boy from school, taking him to activities or to play at the park, bringing him home to help with homework, and heating up dinner for him. You'd work alongside her at times to make sure he's on track and keeping busy, while also providing her with support as a single mom (see description below). Mom is just wonderful, kind, communicative, and really open about what she's hoping to find for her son. He has ADD and dyslexia, but is thriving at his new school where they really focus on learning styles that work for him! Mom is hoping to find him a confidante, companion, and fun friend to have who keeps him healthy, safe, and happy. It's $30/hour gross for 15-20 hours/week guaranteed. She is happy to provide a monthly metrocard, PTO, and paid sick days for her person! The position will actually begin in December or January, so apply today!

The Ideal Sitter for this Job

Are you active and fun? Mom would love to keep him active this year and getting outside more to run around. He would be on his screens all day in his room if mom let him, so he really needs to be engaged and encouraged to get out of his comfort zone. When he does love a sport, he will go for it, too! So someone who can get to know him, suggest fun things to do, and keep him moving will be great! Do you want to be a young man's role model? Look no further! Mom would love for him to have a positive and confident person who can model good behavior for him and be a positive presence in his life. She knows that it takes a village and she loves the idea of having someone on her side who can be this for the boy. That means having someone who can really connect with him and wants to bond with him. Someone who wants to share his interests and be his confident. It's a really great opportunity to build a strong connection with a child and his mom! Are you patient and good at keeping boundaries with kids? This boy has been through a lot and often not had the best experiences with kids his age or in school, so he push boundaries at times. He is in a better place and thriving more and more each day, particularly at his new school, but he does struggle on occasion. Having a SmartSitter who is patient with him and takes the time to both understand him and what he needs will do really well in the role. This person will end up connecting with him on a deep level and really seeing how that care and understanding can help him to grow even more as a young man!

Schedule

The core schedule is Monday to Friday, from 2:45-5:45/6:45 PM. Flexibility to assist in the evenings on occasion or for full days if he is out of school is a plus! They are happy to guarantee 15-20 hours/week.

About the Children

boy, 10- Last year, he started a new school where they focus on learning styles that wok for him. He is dyslexic and ADD. In the past, he has struggled with academics, but at the new school he is feeling more confident and successful. It's been a real turn around for him and he's really loving it! He is a smart kid and he definitely tries to manipulate situations to get his way at time, so this is something to keep an eye on. His mom knows this and he certainly works it more with her than his caregivers. Also, in the past, he's been bullied at school because he really wants to be liked, so he often tried to manipulate the situation to be liked in the end. That said, he is the kid that all the adults love and while he gives his mom a hard time, he is a sweet kid and loving. He is in the DOE Summer Rising program. He tells his mom that he doesn't really want to go, but he does get a bit excited about it. He won't admit that he does like it and has friends there now. He's been doing swimming classes and soccer this past year. He's pretty spotty when he wants to be!

Responsibilities

Picking the boy up from summer camp and in September transition pick him up from school by bus or train nearby. On the days that the sitter is not bringing him home they will take him to an after school activity (soccer or swimming likely). Then, bringing him home and letting him get settled/rest. Mom usually has dinner ready, so the SmartSitter would warm it up, give him dinner, and get him started with homework. Homework is set up with his school in that they want to see an attempt to do it and it doesn't need to be fully completed, but the goal is always to try to get it there. Every other week, his dad picks him up from the mom's place on Fridays after the SmartSitter brings him home from school. On those days after his dad gets him, the SmartSitter would be helping mom with more PA tasks like grocery shopping, the boy's laundry, errands around the neighborhood. etc.