By Carly Walkowiak ’14 |Staff Writer

When one thinks of babysitting their mind immediately thinks that they are wasting away Friday or Saturday night. Although this may hold true for some, Dallas Clem ’15, Nikki Fountain ’14, and Sydney Srebernak ’14 think otherwise.

Contrary to popular belief, there are some males out there who turn to babysitting as a way of making money, Clem said.

Last summer, Clem babysat every Monday and Tuesday for a family of three children: an 8-year-old boy and two 5-year-old twin girls, he said. Clem had known the children for a while before he began to babysit for the children because their parents were good friends.

“One or two days a week is all that I can handle,” said Clem.

Clem said babysitting is a job that requires natural instincts and nurture, which are traits that come easier to females rather than males. That is most likely why Clem only has one other male friend of his that babysits, he said.

“You need to have a lot of patience when you’re babysitting,” said Clem. “And I lack that.”

Clem thought he was lucky with the ages of the children that he babysat, because he was able to do activities that he enjoys as well, he said. They would ride bikes, play baseball, basketball, and by the end of the day the children were worn out and watched television.

“Even though the kids can get on my nerves,” said Clem. “I take for granted how much I am paid and how easy it really is.”

Even though babysitting took up two days of his week, Clem said he thought it was worth the $150 he earned weekly, he said.

Unlike Clem, Fountain finds instead of advertising through flyers, or having her mother talk to her friends she was able to put information on a website called Tristan’s List.

“Although I was just added to the website I’m hoping to get a lot of feedback,” said Fountain.

Tristan’s List is a website with services provided by people who live in or near the Grosse Pointe, Fountain said.

“I was asked if I had any experience babysitting and was interested in being added to their website,” said Fountain.

However, Fountain had to follow a long process before being added to the website, she said. People from the website asked her questions about her prior experiences babysitting, and if she could provide a few testimonials, and a resume.

“I am not contacted directly by random people who are able to view the site,” said Fountain. “If someone is interested in my service then they would contact Tristan (the creator of the website).”

Fountain said she knows that when she is contacted for a babysitting opportunity, she will feel safe.

Along with interesting ways to get customers for babysitting, there are a wide variety of babysitting jobs. Rather than nannying over the summer, or babysitting on the weekends, Srebernak babysits every day after school.

“I basically am forced to do my homework and occasionally help them with theirs,” said Srebernak.

Everyday after school from about 3:30-5 p.m., Srebernak babysits for two boys who are in the 6th and 8th grade, she said. She receives $80 every week.

“No matter who you are babysitting, it will not be a very difficult job,” Srebernak said. “Infants on occasions can be hard, but for the most part babysitting is easy money.”

For more on the benefits of babysitting, see here.