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While on my LOA, I decided to start doing care gigs. It is so strange as this is NOT what I imagined myself to be doing at all. I am mostly accepting care gigs at night, so that other couples can have a date night. I laugh to myself when they say, "We just really need some alone time together" or "We haven't gone out as a couple in such a long time." Right. It is so strange to be referred to as the "babysitter." Each family is different: blended families, single parents, single child, twins, etc. It's really helping me to appreciate what I have at home. I think other than the cash, I am gaining a lot of perspective because you do get to see how other people live and manage their lives. Here's what I hate and I know that they're just going off of their lame list of interview questions, but can you have a heart or at least adjust your line of questioning? On the phone, I mentioned to one parent my reason for my LOA because she had an 8-month old and thought it best to tell her. WRONG! At the sit down interview, she asked me if I had any experience with infants?! I gave her a few seconds to hope that she would catch herself, but totally oblivious. We were also talking about my rate if she brought her kids to me. She asked me things like, "Do you have a crib or a pack n' play?" "What about a high chair?" I wanted to scream and say yes stupid, I have EVERYTHING that a baby would need as I was expecting one last year!!! People are so self-absorbed. She couldn't imagine what it's been like for us. She doesn't know the hell that I am living and the daily struggle to pull it together for the sake of my other kids. In the end, this particular parent didn't choose me for an upcoming job, but is hoping to use me in the future as a backup. Guess what I am about to tell her?! It's funny, but parents who are care seeker sometimes don't understand that we are interviewing and screening them as well. If I don't feel comfortable, I do not accept. I don't need any additional stress in my life right now. I need easy gigs, no hype, and no personality conflicts. I sat for a family last night and the kids couldn't remember my name. When they asked a third time, I almost wanted to reply, "babysitter." Of course, I didn't and told them my name. One mom was asking me the ages of my kids and remarked that 4 and 2 was probably easier than 8, 4, and 2. She said to me, "the dynamic is really different when you have three." Oblivious . . . One of my mom friends, who is also in her 30's, is doing care gigs too. As I vent some of my frustration to her, she kindly reminds me that this is only temporary. I applaud people who are nannies for a living. I love children, but I don't see myself doing this for x number of years (months).