THINKING ABOUT BEING A MOTHER'S HELPER?

Living with a family as a mother's helper for the summer is a wonderful experience. It gives you the opportunity to live in a new area and have a different summer experience from that to which you are accustomed. For some, this may mean enjoying one of the New England resort areas. It may mean living in the suburbs of Boston or New York, allowing for the opportunity to explore a major metropolitan area on your free time. Still others experience island living and the chance to live a more simple life. In every case, there are occasions for you to meet new people and broaden your horizons. Many of our students leave their jobs feeling like they have made a special bond and now have a "second family."

You must always remember, though, that you will be employed to do a job. Being a mother's helper is not meant to be a vacation for you. A job of this nature involves being active with children and being able to lend a hand where needed. You will have time off when you can make your own personal plans. The majority of your time will be spent enabling your employers to enjoy their summer and their vacation.

To help you decide if this is the right summer plan for you, here are some things to consider:

• Do you really enjoy children? Being around children and participating in their activities for an extended period of time is required.
• Do you get homesick or lonely without your family and friends nearby?
• Can you get yourself up in the morning and greet others with a smile? This is not the place for a moody person.
• Do you have initiative? The one quality all employers ask for in a helper is initiative. You should be a self-starter who, when you see something that needs to be done, does it without ever needing to be asked.
• Are you creative, able to think up projects and activities for children on your own? There are wonderful books at local libraries filled with ideas you can utilize in your job.
• Can you cook or prepare meals? You will be expected, in most cases, to prepare simple children's meals.
• Are you flexible and have the ability to live with a family whose style and traditions may be totally different from your own?
• Are you ready to be socially outgoing? This is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new friends, but you should not rely on your employer family to "make connections" for you. You should also remember that your new friends will come second to the demands of your job.

If you decide that you would like to be a mother's helper this summer, think about the kind of job that is best for you. Consider what ages of children you enjoy. Are you overpowered by older children? Or do you like planning and joining in activities with them? Do young children get on your nerves? Or do you like watching them emerge as people and share in the excitement of their accomplishments? Think about the length of time you want to work and how it will fit in with any other summer plans you may have. Once you are hired, your employer is counting on you to be there. Do not make a commitment you cannot fulfill.

When summer comes, go to your job with enthusiasm and energy. You will find that in addition to earning money, it will be a great learning opportunity as well. Being a mother's helper can be a fun and rewarding experience.