[svflynn]

I am looking to hire someone high energy (and highly experienced with both toddlers and newborns - and watching two-children households) to watch after my bouncy and often stubborn son (22 mos as of end of Feb.) on a part time and flexible basis on the Upper East Side (near the 4/5/6 trains). I am 5 months pregnant and will need a legal English-speaking babysitter that is very reliable and responsible to watch him 5-10 hours a week (we need you to be flexible as to when) during my third trimester when I have trouble bathing him and taking him to the park (and watch him with a close eye - this may require a lot of physical effort on your part). I may need you to help with him when I go into labor and he cannot go to the hospital (we might like you to stay overnight then for 1-2 nights if feasible). Before my last trimester, I will need a few hours each week to get him comfortable with you so he's not upset when the baby arrives; these hours may not be set but are most likely to be on Wednesdays and/or Fridays. Once I give birth, I need you to watch him at least 5 mornings a week, probably until around 11 or 11:30am - part of your role then will be taking him to toddler classes and feeding him while I am nursing and dealing with the newborn. I may also need 1-2 afternoons then. I will be around a lot so you must be ok being somewhat of a mother's helper at times and not bossy/opinionated; I need you to defer and listen to me (but I am open to hearing from your experience). During the fall and winter next year, I will need you to watch him and the younger baby during a few mornings when we have pre-school tours as well. I would like to hire someone very experienced with potty training and talented at giving baths (he fears the bath). I also would like you to help with language development and play with him a lot - encourage his development by reading to him, teach him to get dressed and undressed, teach him manners (gentle around other children, self-feeding with utensils, saying thank you) etc. I would like someone meticulous who can clean up and help me out too - do laundry (including the newborn's when she arrives in July), dishes (for me as well as for the children), light housekeeping (we have a housecleaner twice a month for major cleaning but my son often leaves crumbs around and we are allergic to dust), clean and organize toys and clothes, infrequent errands (we prefer our son not going shopping to supermarkets and pharmacies), prepare his meals if one is due after you leave or when you are here etc. The person must not be bossy and must listen/respect the mother, be very clean and careful w/ germs (especially once the newborn arrives in July), and needs to be comfortable with frequently visiting grandparents. Please provide CPR certification and/or date of most recent infant/child CPR course; this is very important to us. We are willing to pay $15/hour but since this is part time we will not be providing metrocards, meals, phones, paid vacation/sick days (and prefer you don't take vacation during July-Nov. this year). We need a nonsmoker that will not watch TV as we don't want our son to watch TV. When you care for the infant this fall we do not want pacifiers or formula. We do not want either child taken on your own errands. email svbarrett@gmail.com please.