If for many children the strike is synonymous with vacation, others are getting their start in babysitting. A way of “doing a service” by making a little pocket money. Testimonials.
Antoine Breton, 11, obtained his first lifetime contract this week: he looked after a child. The sixth grade student, who studies at La Petite-Patrie elementary school in Montreal, offers his services as a knowledgeable guardian during education strike days.
He really liked his first experience. “At first I was a little stressed and a little embarrassed. Afterwards, I got to know the child and we had a lot of fun,” he says. Board games, soccer, play modules at the park: his six-year-old protégé kept him busy. The boy’s mother was present, but working remotely. “It was still five o’clock [de travail]. For the first time, I still found it a little exhausting,” says Antoine.
But Antoine wants to keep again. It was he who had the idea of offering the services of sixth-grade students — who recently completed the guardianship course — to parents at his school. “I’m very proud of him. He is really determined, this child,” says his father Vincent Breton.
Antoine still hopes that the strike will not last too long. “I’m a little bored at home. It’s a bit lame too. »
Alice
Alix Madon-Segrelles, 13, also had her very first experience of babysitting during the strike. The second-year high school teenager took her advanced babysitting course in 6e year, but she hadn’t really had the opportunity to put it into practice. “The strike freed up my time. And what’s more, I can earn money,” she rejoices.
She admits to having had a little difficulty during her first experience on Tuesday. “The kids weren’t really listening to me, but I think it’s because their mother was teleworking. They really wanted to be with her, even though I was there to play with them. » Wednesday, with another family, it was already easier.
Being able to earn her own pocket money by looking after children makes her feel empowered, she says. “It makes me feel good, more empowered. I earned my money, it’s mine, really! »
Logane
Logane Pelletier, 15, is in the fourth year of secondary school at Vallée-des-Lacs school, in Saint-Michel-du-Squatec, in Bas-Saint-Laurent. With friends, she had the idea of opening a “daycare” during the three days of the Common Front strike. The money raised will be used to finance the trip to New York for the students in his cohort next April.
“We settled at the Squatec youth center,” explains Logane Pelletier. We spoke to them and they decided to lend it to us. »
Four primary school children were welcomed. They were treated to a day of pajamas and movies. They also played board games, drew and made snowmen in the courtyard of the youth center. “We asked for $20 per child per day,” says Logane Pelletier. Prize pool amount: $240.
“We still intend to do it again if the strike ends indefinitely,” she said.
Justin
Justin Thong Gosselin, 15, is “used to children”. The eldest of a family of four children works in summer day camps, gives dance lessons to toddlers and occasionally babysits the neighbors’ children. “With the strike, I knew that parents were going to need help, so I offered to babysit, because I too am on strike. It makes me happy when I can help. »
The response, however, was not as good as he had hoped. “I was expecting more, but in the end, I only had a request for Tuesday. »
Normally when he babysits, the parents are out. But during a strike, the context is different: the father had to be absent a little in the morning, but he was teleworking the rest of the day. “When I was alone with the children, we talked, had fun and everything. But when the father returned, the children listened a little less. It was the father who did the disciplining. I felt a little uncomfortable. »
Despite everything, he “feels like he helped a lot.” He took the children to the library and helped them with their homework. “I think it took a weight off the father,” he explains. The family also asked him to come back if the strike continues. “It gives me a source of income,” rejoices the teenager.
Ines
Ines Danois Leroux, 16, is starting out as a goalkeeper. “I had already done [du gardiennage], but not for money, it was just to be of service to my parents or their friends,” she explains. With the strike, she saw an opportunity to publicize her services and expand her pool of potential clients, while “doing a service”.
She usually offers coloring and board games, but also enjoys discussions with these “little people,” she adds. “I haven’t been in Montreal for long, before I was in France. By talking with them, I discover life in Montreal from their point of view. And I find it interesting to know how they function at their age. »