my young artist friend is an experienced childcare provider

David Mahfouda, 27, is looking for babysitting positions, esp in for evenings and weekends. He is experienced: was an au pair for a family with two children (ages 8 and 10) in Jerusalem for two months after graduating in 2005, worked at BEAM
camp as bunk counselor for 10 boys ages 10-12, does childcare at the park slope food coop for the past 3 months and babysits around the neighborhood. He is super nice and really gets kids. If you need a babysitter, call him at 516-359-6507. If you need a reference, you can call me, Tammy, at 917-750-5941. He can provide additional references on demand.

what does he charge?

$15/hour. I forgot to mention he is an artist, went to Harvard and is developing a social transportation company.

I just spoke to david, he said if he had regular hours he could reduce his hourly rate.

at 27 looking for babysitting jobs after attending Harvard?

does he have a double stroller license ?

Something about men who babysit for a living. Just seems weird to me.

arlette wrote: Something about men who babysit for a living. Just seems weird to me.

example or experience?

It's not the point that he is male that bothers me.... why would anyone who attended any university want to be a "babysitter". This young man is not the only college graduate who I heard is now doing child care. Is it really a lack of jobs or is it that these college graduates do not want to enter the "grown up" world of responsibility? Being a babysitter is off the books (in most cases), and not full time (if one is working for various families).

Remember 30 is the new 18.

what is a "social transportation company"..... a bus where conversation is required??

I was under the impression that "au pairs" came from France. Because mine did. Are we just carelesly throwing this term around today regardless of nation of origin? Discuss.

nonhipoldbklynchick wrote: Is it really a lack of jobs or is it that these college graduates do not want to enter the "grown up" world of responsibility?
Remember 30 is the new 18.

I know this is the internet where uninformed comments like this are just the norm, but I'm assuming you haven't tried to find a job this year, so you wouldn't know how hard it is for people out of work right now.

Speaking as someone who was actively searching on a daily basis for almost 9 months, I can tell you that it is lack of jobs. And it's not only lack of jobs. It's that so many people have been laid off that all of the open positions are being filled by people with 20-30 years of experience, leaving recent college graduates no chance.

Please don't assume that all young people who are out of work right now fit into your narrow stereotype. As if the 10% of New Yorkers who are unemployed are all too lazy or just don't want to find "grown-up" jobs.

This guy says it pretty well, too:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/opinion/31herbert.html?ref=opinion

BrooklynBoyyee wrote: I was under the impression that "au pairs" came from France. Because mine did. Are we just carelesly throwing this term around today regardless of nation of origin? Discuss.

From Wiki:

"An au pair (plural: au pairs) is a foreign-national domestic assistant working for, and living as part of, a host family. Typically, au pairs take on a share of the family's responsibility for childcare as well as some housework, and receive a small monetary allowance for personal use.

The title comes from the French term au pair, meaning "on a par" or "equal to", indicating that the relationship is intended to be one of equals: the au pair is intended to become a member of the family, albeit a temporary one, rather than a domestic servant. In the best circumstances, both parties benefit from learning about the other's culture and will remain on good terms long after the au pair has left the family."

I still think a 27 y/o male babysitter is creepy, especially with a Harvard degree.