Find a babysitter in Kenmore, WA

Hi Everyone! Whether you're a local family looking for a date night sitter or you're an out of town family seeking help while you're visiting Seattle, I'd love to hear more about your needs. We can chat by phone, in person, or virtually via FaceTime or Skype. I am comfortable in most any situation, have worked with children from different cultural backgrounds, and love meeting new clients. I'm professional yet personal, responsive, an active listener, respectful, and see myself as an easy plug and play provider. Whether your style is to give me four pages of directions (yes, I will read all of it and follow your lead) or no guidance at all, your child will be well cared for while you're away. When I was in high school and college, I was a live in summer nanny for my fifth grade teacher. I love newborns, have lots of experience with toddlers and school age kids, and have been a mentor in the past to pre-teens/teens. I still keep in touch with the very first family I ever babysat for in Seattle. When we first met, their son was eight weeks old. He is now 13 and I attended his bar mitzvah this summer! Time flies. I believe in a child care/parenting approach that is focused on kindness, compassion, empathy, patience and positive reward systems. Engaging kids in hands on activities is important to me. There are lots of ways to have frugal fun. I'm a rain or shine let's get outside kind of gal so bubbles, sidewalk chalk paint (I just discovered Rose Art makes giant markers that are activated by adding water), arts & crafts made with things collected from outside, nature walks, scavenger hunts, and trips to the Children's Museum//aquarium//zoo//bouncy house are all high on my list of fun. A peaceful and happy household is my primary goal. I believe kids thrive when given appropriate autonomy and freedom. If putting on a jacket is required to go outside, I like to give choices. For example, "Would you like to wear the orange or yellow jacket today?" This empowers children to make their own choices within an established framework. You may be reading this and wondering how I manage a full blown meltdown. For example, what if the child flat out refuses to wear any jacket? The reality is sometimes kids simply aren't in the mood to cooperate or they are feeling downright cantankerous. While it's the adult's role to mitigate potential causes of crankiness (need for food, water, sleep, or maybe a less stimulating environment) we aren't mind readers and there is no way to always accurately predict what's coming up next in the grab bag of moods//behavior. While we do our best to set kids up for a successful and pleasant day there are times in which the reality of the moment will be beyond our influence. And that's ok. Those are the times I take a step back, wait for the storm to pass, or actively try to distract or redirect energy to something new. We all have days when we are not at our best. As adults, we have learned to regulate our moods but we all know what it feels like to have an off day. There are days when it seems like everything is annoying. We honk our horn out of utter disbelief when another driver does something we deem unacceptable. We roll our eyes when the person in front of us at the checkout line just can't seem to get it together or move fast enough. The reality is we all get frustrated. Emotional regulation is learned. None of us are true masters of it and it is a skill set that develops over time. My goal is to coach your child through moments of upset and help to make him or her aware of the myriad of emotions he or she feels. I believe the way in which we react to outbursts is critical to their emotional and cognitive development. Responding with kindness and patience is key. Chastising or punishing a child for having a fit only increases the negative emotions of the moment. It is possible to be kind and firm at the same time. When meltdowns occur, the goal is to move beyond the initial upset into a calmer place. How we respond to our kids can either speed up or slow down that process. Once the child has settled down I like to have a conversation about what happened (name the emotion and also try to uncover the root cause). I will work with your child to strategize about how we can reach a different outcome in the future. There's a saying that people will not remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel. I want the kids I care for to feel loved and understood. My role as your child care provider is to be an extension of the framework you have created and the approach you take. To that end, I seek to work with families who share a value for empathetic and peaceful parenting. I will be your partner in creating and maintaining a positive and nurturing home. In order for us to be a compatible match, it is imperative your family is a no spanking household. No exceptions. I do think there are certain non-negotiables (i.e. things that are simply not acceptable forms of behavior) and I believe in certain age appropriate standards and boundaries. The key is to be consistent and clear. There is a place for consequences if the agreed upon house rules are not followed. I will look to you to tell me what those house rules are and to inform me of the consequences you use. Do things get taken away or do privileges get lost? Why am I babysitting for extra income? In 2012 I fell on a sidewalk and despite having insurance, my out of pocket costs have exceeded $15,000. While I look like myself again (final crowns were placed May 2016) this whole ordeal has taken a great financial toll. I have a standard 8:30 - 5:00 job for Milliman Inc. in the Rainier Tower in downtown Seattle where I am a Benefits Associate on their employee benefits outsourcing team. Babysitting is helping me pay down my debt faster. I've done the math and will need to babysit for additional income through 2018. Therefore, I'd love to establish long term relationships with families who are seeking ongoing care. I live in Phinney Ridge and am eager to connect with families who need help during evening/weekend hours. I drive a 1998 Volvo wagon (the safety first theme is a bit of a constant in my life) and have an accident/ticket free record. I am happy to use my vehicle for transportation but prefer to use yours. In addition to basic evening and weekend care, I also provide special event care (think weddings & birthday parties) + overnights too. I've traveled with families and have also stayed behind with kids at home when parents are out of town for vacation or work. I am comfortable managing up to three toddlers/infants or up to five children in total. Lastly, I am open to the idea of providing full-time nanny care. This would require me to resign from my current corporate role in order to transition to a nanny position. This is absolutely something I'd consider for the right opportunity. Please do not hesitate to get in touch!! I look forward to meeting you!

Hello! Since I used at work at a daycare and have been babysitting for over 10+ years, I have seen it all! I am able to handle sick kids, kids who have mental and physical disabilities, and anything most anything else that might happen while I babysit. I love dogs and cats (I have 2)! Also, I have my tutor certification and am fluent in Amharic. Please contact me if you have any questions! I look forward to working with you!

Hi, I’m Lydia Grace! I recently graduated from the University of Washington with a BS degree in Biology and am taking two gap years before attending medical school with a focus in maternal-child health. I am also certified in CPR/First Aid for Adults, Children, and Infants, so safety and reliability are always my absolute top priorities in the household. I have worked as a childcare provider for 4 years, gaining extensive experience across a wide range of age groups and developing the skills to confidently care for up to four children at once. I care deeply about contributing to children’s growth and well-being, and I recognize the vital importance of age-appropriate activities. I love leading kids in engaging crafts, outdoor play, and reading to support their ongoing developmental milestones. Additionally, I have a background in tutoring and am always happy to help with homework, especially in STEM subjects and Spanish. I am also completely comfortable preparing healthy meals for the kids and keeping the house tidy and organized. I look forward to bringing a blend of fun, developmental engagement, and reliable, safety-focused care to your family! Please feel free to reach out with any questions. :)

Hello families, as my contract is coming to an end soon, I am searching for a new part-time role in the mornings. Availability: 20-30 hours weekly, between 6 AM and 12 PM. A little bit about me: - I have a reliable car. - Clean driving record. - CPR certified. - Non-smoker. - Up to date with all vaccines. - Bilingual (Portuguese and English). - Very outdoorsy. I am enthusiastic, energetic, caring, and patient. I am also very punctual and love pets. North Seattle is preferable, but I’m happy to travel further for the right fit. If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you!

I have had several years of experience working with children of all ages. Working with children is something that I am very passionate about. I graduated from Seattle University Law School and am available currently studying for the bar exam. I am looking for a part-time position and have flexible study hours.