Being a mom that happens to work from home has it’s moments. It also has its downfalls, especially when three out of my four children are homeschooled. It’s already difficult to be a SAHM or WAHM, but add in children ACTUALLY in the house, and well, yeah. Yes, there are some moms who stay home while all of their children are in school during the day. They’re still mothers. Since we have a couple of big trips coming up in the next couple of months, I decided to book a sitter from Chime for a day of sitting while I was able to handle things for my business. Full disclosure, this was my first time in 16 years of parenting that I allowed someone who was not related to me to come into my house to watch over my kids. I can assure you, it won’t be the last.
The process was very easy. I went to the website, and booked special hours (they automatically start you out with evening hours) for Monday. I booked for a full workday for me – 8 hours – and felt a twinge of guilt. Would my sitter be overwhelmed? Would they think that I was a HORRID mother for ‘leaving’ my children in their care for so long? I worried for nothing, and our sitter, Grace, was awesome! She and I were able to chat for a bit before I got down to work, and she kept the kids occupied so well, that they asked me when I was leaving the house. Which I did. It was glorious. Sir Twizzler, who does NOT like new people around, and his environment disrupted, sent me on my way with a “Bye mommy!” and I almost let a single tear fall down my cheek from happiness.
Chime’s interface was super easy to use, and after you put in the hours that you need a sitter, they let you know to sit tight and they will contact you with sitters that fit your timeframe. Be sure to jump on it within 24 hours though, otherwise you’ll lose your sitter, and have to start over again. You also don’t have to worry about completing those background checks yourself, because each sitter meets in person with a Chime staff member, and also has a background check, photo and anything else you can imagine for safety reasons, done for you.
When I arrived back in the house from errand running, and working in our community garden, I was told that Gracie was an awesome sitter, as they chomped happily on grapes, and discussed our upcoming trip to Myrtle Beach. Grace let me know that for upcoming services, if we wanted, she could bring activities to do, as long as I requested them. This made my homeschooling heart so happy, because let’s face it, sometimes bills may have to get paid, and I won’t always have time for class. It happens.
For Chicago, sitting services start at a base rate of $14 for the first child and one dollar for every additional child you have. To pay $16 bucks for several solid hours of work proved to be priceless.
5 Reasons WAHM Need Sitters
- You can’t focus properly with children in the house, and the television can’t babysit EVERY day for hours on end. It’s just not good, plus kids will spoil television shows for you at the drop of dime.
- Being able to do a Target run kid free, and during daylight hours is pretty epic. You won’t have a kid asking for every awesome thing in the aisles to add an additional 30 minutes to your trip, thus increasing your purchases by $253.
- You can eat lunch, at a pace fit for humans. No more shoveling food in your mouth each time you pass the counter.
- You can actually work. That’s why you stay home, right?!
- Sane moms are SO much better for their families. Promise.
Honestly, it’s one of the best things that I’ve done for myself in a long time. I’m clingy though, so I’m pretty sure we’ll be requesting Grace again, because having too many different sitters will make me crazy. I may add one or two backups that I’m comfortable with, but after Sir Twizzler waved happily when Grace left and told her to “come and visit any time!” I knew that we were cooking with gas.
If this is something that you’re interested in checking out, Chime is offering first time users a coupon code for $50 off their first sitter run by using NICHOLES. Try it, I guarantee you’ll like it! Currently they are only available in Boston, Chicago, NYC and Washington D.C. Whether you use them for a date night, to take a NAP, or for help, you’ll be in good hands.
I was wondering how others managed working at home while their children are home. My daughters are older now, but I still find myself needing some time to work while they aren’t around. Thankfully it’s warmer out so they often are out of the house around three until dinner. I am glad you had a great experience. 🙂
I do not have children. I am an aunt and cousin who is always terrified about people outside of family watching my nephews and cousin. However, this seems like a great service. I am in Michigan so the service is not available but I’ll be sure to pass the information along.