Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Craig's List Breaks my Heart.

A few weeks ago I posted an ad on Craig's List, offering my services as a summer nanny here in Provo.

I will be teaching summer term and I am also taking the summer to write my thesis (slash lay in bed and watch "Revenge") but I thought it would be nice to pick up a little extra money to support the fam by watching someone's kids a few hours a week.

To reassure potential employers that I am not a total psycho I posted a picture of me with the post (possibly not my best idea?) because if someone posts a picture on the internet it is obviously them and you can immediately trust them.

So far the responses have been awesome, hilarious and ridiculously creepy. Enjoy:


"I know you are looking to do more child care, but I was looking through CL and saw your picture.  You are very beautiful.  I am an amateur photographer and i would love to have you model for me.  I am 35/m based out of slc.  If you are interested, please let me know.  I look forward to getting to know you." -- Tom

Very flattering Tom. Maybe we can do the whole two-birds-one-stone thing and you can amateurly photograph me nannying some children. And then probably get arrested for it. Seems like your kind of thing. 

"Do you do vacuuming and mopping? Or can you make my boys do it? It hurts my back."-- Carrie

What do you mean by "make"? And is this the only thing you want to hire me for? I feel like I'm missing something here. Either way, sorry about your back. 

 "I saw your post on Craigslist...we are looking for someone to watch our 3 1/2 year old little boy this summer in our home. (Monday-Friday, 7:45-2:15)...it will be $20/day...$80/week." -- Sarah 

You do realize, Sarah, that this would pay me a little over $3 an hour? Obviously the picture didn't offer a very good first impression (if only we could say the same for Tom.) Also, is Friday a freebie? Or do I just pick either $20 a day OR $80 a week? I'll have to think on that one. 

"Do you baby sit at clients house or your own? I am looking for childcare in walking distance of my house... I live at 300 s 400 e..." 

No name on the email? The use of multiple elipsis? And you want me to give you my address? You make me nervous anonymous person. 

One couple even sent me the link to their child's blog. He's two years old.

I can just picture him awake late at night after the one-year-old is in bed, slaving away on a post about his latest DIY kitchen craft. 

Is Craig's List just a forum for bizarre encounters with potential serial killers and moms who are really bad at math?
Despite my experience with it, probably not. 
But it is definitely not a forum for finding a nannying job. 

Here's to another episode of "Revenge".  

Katie