My most recent blog post was really more of a vent about the frustrations that sometimes come with the territory of being a single parent, mainly because we are left to do most everything ourselves. I have recently been considering hiring someone to mow my yard for me. It’s a job that I really don’t enjoy, and also one that doesn’t get done nearly often enough due to my number one obligation: my children.
There are a few chores you could hire someone to help with: yard work, housekeeping, and childcare.
Yard Work: This could include gardening, mowing, shoveling, and plowing. Mowing and shoveling could easily be done by a teen, possibly making it more affordable. You could also save money by only hiring for some services, while you do the rest yourself. For example, you do the weed whacking, but hire someone else for the actual mowing.
Housekeeping: You could hire a housekeeper for anything from simple household chores like laundry and vacuuming, to bigger jobs like window washing and dusting baseboards. To save money, be sure to pick up your own clutter (like toys off the floor, or mail off the counters) before the housekeeper gets there.
Childcare: Childcare might include babysitting while you run errands or a mother’s helper while you do chores around the house. This is a job that can be done by a teenager. If you cannot afford to pay for childcare, consider joining or establishing a babysitting co-op in your neighborhood.
The amount you will pay for these services will vary. If you are hiring someone to mow or plow, you will have to consider the size of your yard or driveway. If you are hiring a housekeeper, rates will depend on the size of your house and the type of job you want done. Childcare rates will depend on the number of children you have and amount of time you need your sitter for.
Note: Photo by egarc2.