Babysitting like a friend

I've been a babysitting fool over the last six months. The Family I Babysit For (this is how I refer to them most often, so I feel like I've named them that) had their fourth baby about six months ago. So during these last several months I've babysat at least twice a week for them. My roommate babysits for them too--on top of grad school. So basically she's a rock star. Basically I haven't had much of a social life. (My mom laments my lack of dating every day.)

Finally, it looks like babysitting is going to slow down a bit for some summer travels. Can I say it's bittersweet? The Family I Babysit For is arguably my closest family in DC. I know their house almost as well as my own. I know their kids better than my nieces and nephew. I'm going to really miss them while they're away!

It's funny because at this moment I'm babysitting for a different family. I usually don't have time to babysit more than I already do, so it's amazing that I was able to take this job for a friend. As I sit here in a hotel room at the Tyson's Ritz Carlton (yep, pretty posh), I keep thinking of The Family I Babysit For. I can't help but compare the two families and their kids. There are definite pros to being a long-term sitter for a family. Familiarity is obviously a big help. However, I think kids are fun no matter who or where they are. I can be fast friends with kids. I just like it when I get to spend quality time with them and know them better.

Woa. I just realized something about myself. (Writing is amazing.) I realized that I crave that type of relationship with adults too. The kind that's deep, meaningful, and full of quality time. I crave it even if having more of the deep relationships means having less relationships overall.

beck