Rebecca: My first jobs caring for children

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April 25, 2024

My first job at Yepstr

I downloaded Yepstr in the summer of 2018. I found the app through an ad on Instagram where I saw "how to make money as a youth". At that time I had no way to make money, all I leaned on was my child support. The only job I had done before was praoa, and that was at Hemköp. I was then 14 years old and the idea of starting work was not really close. My thoughts were mostly on passing primary school and getting as good grades as possible.My circle of friends hadn't really talked about it yet either. But once I had downloaded the app and logged in, I could not create an account. I did not understand what was wrong. After a few days when I read more carefully about the app, I saw that it was 15 years old. There were about 2 months left until my birthday. Without exaggerating, I counted down the days, because I really wanted to start earning my own money. When it was finally my birthday, I made an account without any problems. I already started looking for assignments the next day.

No previous experience of babysitting

I had never been a babysitter before, except for my cousins. But I was pretty sure caring for their cousins was easier than a child you don't know. I was extremely unsure of my ability to even be a good babysitter. Later I saw that you could also do a lot more things than just look after children. I think gardening seemed very fun, but I soon noticed that not many people had posted such ads, because I live in the middle of town;)In the app, I also noticed that there were those who sought homework help, which I thought seemed interesting. I have always found it fun to teach and pass on my knowledge to others. But so far I have not done any such assignments, it is not often a homework help assignment comes out that suits me exactly. But the day there comes a perfect such job for me, I will definitely try to get the job.

My first job applications

I applied for about 5 jobs before I even got an answer. It was something I was very upset about. I remember how nervous I was when I wrote my application about why I would get the job and then be sad not to get an answer. But when I got my first answer, I was sitting in my Swedish lesson and I clearly remember how I felt when I saw my phone ring and announce that I would be allowed to go to an interview. I was really overjoyed!A week later I went to my first interview, and I remember how scared I was. I had no idea how long it would take or what types of questions they would ask. They lived about 15 minutes from me, but I went about 30 minutes before just to be absolutely sure I would arrive on time. I had decided several days before what I would wear, and I remember that I wanted to agree with whether I would have an "everyday" style or more "formal". Now in retrospect, I know I thought about it too much.I arrived at their apartment 15 minutes before. I walked around the neighborhood and checked out what restaurants and shops there were. After a quarter of an hour I was outside their door, extremely nervous. I knocked on the door and my mother opened it. When I had visited both the children and the parents, the nervousness released. I thought before that an interview might take 30-50 minutes. But my first interview lasted 15 minutes. They asked me common questions such as what I do in my spare time and if I have any experience of babysitting.

After the interview

When I left, I remember how much adrenaline I had. I was so happy, but at the same time I thought that I might not have done "enough" well. After a few days I looked after the children for 2 hours and I really thought it was fun to be with them, something I had not really expected. I started babysitting these children regularly for a few weeks. At Christmas, the parents did not need as much regular help. But at the same time as I was a babysitter in that family, I of course also applied for other assignments.I did more and more assignments, and I would say that I applied for about 4 assignments a week. I thought the app seemed so exciting and also I was tagged to go up in "level". It is one thing that has motivated me to take on even more assignments. You get XP when you have worked, and this leads to you going up to "level" and getting a higher salary. It feels like a game and that's what I think is so fun.

The relationship with the children

After a while, I found a new ad for babysitting that I thought suited my times perfectly. So I applied for the job and had to go to an interview. Everything went well and a few weeks after that I started to look after the baby regularly.When you get to look after children regularly, you build a strong relationship with each other. You understand how they think and understand what suits the child best. I treat the children differently according to their needs. It's something I've learned over time. I think it is very fun to have a regular family that you meet every week. Then you get to see the child's development and I also notice that I make a difference in the child's upbringing.Some families do not need babysitting as often but it is also very fun because when you meet a child 3 times a year I see how much they have changed and grown, which is completely sick. It feels like I have friends who are 7 years old :).

My lessons from babysitting

You learn absolutely more than you think when you are a babysitter. I myself thought that the only thing they learned was to "handle a child". But it's not. I have learned more about leadership, such as how to handle a situation when the child wants something they can not get. From the beginning, this was probably the biggest problem for me. It was so hard for me to say no, because then the child will be sad and angry at me. But during my time as a babysitter, I have learned to say no, and that it is I who decides.

Handle conflicts

I have also learned how to handle conflicts or different opinions with two children, for example when one child wants to go home and the other wants to take a bus. It's really harder with two kids, of course. But when there are two children, it always happens that both want different things. Then you have to make a decision and never favor one child. I know that children would know if one of them was favored, so I think it's very important to be fair.

Take care of children = take responsibility

But I would still say that the most important thing I have learned is personal responsibility. It feels like I have matured so much after taking care of so many children, all by myself. When I look back on everything, I clearly see how much better I have become at dealing with children. I remember how unsure I was to even take a child from kindergarten to home.Now it's like a dance on roses. I have also matured as a person, and I feel stronger in some way. And I see so many benefits to working as a babysitter. Not only do I make money, but I have something extra to do during the week.I am a person who does not go to any sport or have any other specific hobby, so my days usually consist of being with friends or studying. So for me, babysitting complements my days. So I have more to do. In addition, you get so happy to look after children (at least I do). They spread so much joy, even if they are hard sometimes :).I really want more young people to start babysitting and be part of the journey I have been through, both as a private person and a "professional". It is also a good thing to have a CV and at the same time get a good salary.

What I like about Yepstr

I know that there are many young people who often do not have time to be able to work on the side. In addition, it is very difficult to find an extra job as a youth. Many of my friends are trying to get jobs at, for example, ICA, H&M, Kicks. But not many people really get it. That's why I think Yepstr is so good.You do not have to work four times a week, you do not even have to work one day. You can work once a month, exactly the times you can and want to. That's what I think is so heavenly smooth. And it is now at my age that people start working. Of course, the study grant you get is enough, but many want more. And I'm one of them.I spend a lot of money on coffee, food, cinema and other activities you do with friends. I know it sounds cliché, but really I do not know what I would have done without Yepstr. That's why I'm trying to spread the word about the app to as many young people as I can. And when I get the chance, I try to show the app to parents.

The future

Everything I have done on Yepstr I can put on my CV. I think Yepstr has only made a positive impact on my life, I have really become a better person, more kind and sympathetic. In the future, I will definitely be a good leader. A leader who cares about everyone and just wants people well.In addition, I have become so much more social, which will definitely help me in the future. I'm so happy with everything I've done and I hope I'm just going to do more and more assignments, and learn so much more.I am so grateful that Yepstr exists and I really hope that more young people downloads the app and really use it!/Rebecca