Working from Home: To Use a Babysitter or Not?

Using a sitter for children while working at home is a personal choice but there are a few factors to consider before making the decision. Two of the major factors that play into this decision are the age of the child and the type of work at home job that you have.

Is your child easily entertained or constantly clamoring for attention?
A child that is capable of entertaining themselves for short periods of time will obviously make working at home much easier than one that is in constant need of your attention. The longer your child is able to play independently, the less likely you are to need a sitter while working at home. The need for a sitter can also depend upon the kind of work that you do from home and the length of time that you need to work on a daily basis. Being able to break your work into short increments intermixed with interaction with your child will make the day go much smoother.

What is the age of the child?
Infants sleep so much during the day that hiring a babysitter while working at home is typically not necessary. As the baby grows, more attention must be paid as they start to explore. It only takes a second for a small child to put themselves in harm's way. Hiring a part-time sitter while you work at home may often be a good idea as your child becomes more mobile.

These are just some of the factors that need to be considered before deciding if you need a babysitter while working from home. The decision could come down to the original purpose of working from home. Are you working at home to avoid the expense of daycare out of the home or are you a stay at home mother that is simply earning some extra spending money?

There are several things that you can do to avoid hiring a sitter while you work at home even if you have the most active of children.

While it may not be a popular opinion, "Dora" can be great in moderation. If using the television to entertain your child for short periods is not what you had in mind, roll out some craft paper and see how long your budding Picaso will stay entertained. I would recommend giving new ideas a test run on a Saturday to see how long they will keep the attention of your child.

By being prepared and having a variety of activities planned for your child, you are much more likely to have a more productive day than trying to work as the day allows. If your work at home job requires a quiet environment or set hours, it is probably best to have a sitter come in for a few hours so that you are able to work quietly.