Something for the weekend: A mother of three in Wirral, Merseyside, who suffers from social anxiety is offering to pay a babysitter up to £50 an hour to take her children trick or treating on Halloween.
In an advert placed on Childcare.co.uk, she explained: “I get very scared at Halloween because of the costumes and speaking to strangers to ask for sweets for the kids. I have severe social anxiety and am uncomfortable with trick or treating, but I’d like for my kids to experience it. I’d hate for them to miss out on this because of me, and having put it off for the last three years I feel I can’t any more.”
The mum of two boys and a girl, aged nine, seven and three respectively, also requires the fully qualified babysitter to help the kids get ready, because she is spooked by costumes.
She said: “I’d ask friends, but I don’t know many people with children, so they’re not doing trick or treating and are busy on Halloween, as it’s a school night!”
Richard Conway, founder of Childcare.co.uk, was touched by the post on the website and decided to spread the word. He said: “She’s clearly trying to do the best for her children and is more than happy to pay someone to perform this service. I got in touch with her to ask how I could help, and promoting this advert seemed like the best way I could help her.”
Here at Employee Benefits, we think it is sweet the Merseyside mum is making this effort. We hope someone suitable is found to take the kids round all the local haunts…