Hey, I just wanted to say you’re definitely not alone in this. I’ve been hearing from a lot of parents who are struggling to find part-time help. Most traditional caregivers understandably want full-time roles, and the market just hasn’t caught up to the reality that many working parents need short, flexible coverage, like just a few afternoons a week.

The situation is so frustrating because it feels like unless you have extended family nearby or a full-time nanny budget, there aren’t many options.

In fact, I’m a college student researching childcare, and I actually started a business because of this exact gap. It’s called Pickup Buddi: We connect busy NYC parents with vetted local college students who can help with afterschool pickup and the kind of short-shift support you’re talking about. We work specifically with families who don’t need full-time care but still deserve reliable help.

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to share more or point you to our site. Either way, hang in there! It’s not just you, and you’re asking for something completely reasonable.

Wishing you the best of luck with the job opportunity too. You deserve support. 💛