IMAGINE a young working mother in Dhaka, rushing to an important meeting while struggling to find someone to look after her sick child. Or a father juggling between work and errands, with no immediate family available to watch over his toddler. In many parts of the world, this gap is easily filled by babysitting services. But in Bangladesh, where dual-income households are rising, the concept remains largely unexplored.
Babysitting is not just a western convenience; it is an economic and social necessity that Bangladesh must embrace to support its evolving workforce. With proper structures in place, babysitting services could provide reliable childcare while creating income opportunities for students, unemployed youth, and elderly women.
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Breaking stigma
IN COUNTRIES like the United States or Canada, babysitting is a widely accepted service. Parents hire sitters 鈥� often students or part-time workers 鈥� to care for their children for a few hours or even full days. However, in Bangladesh, the idea of leaving a child with a non-family member is met with scepticism. Concerns about trust, safety, and hygiene dominate conversations, making it difficult for babysitting services to gain traction.
But this hesitation comes at a cost. Many working parents struggle with childcare arrangements, often forced to rely on domestic workers who may not have the necessary experience or skills. Grandparents, traditionally seen as primary caregivers, may not always be available or physically capable. The absence of structured babysitting services puts immense pressure on families, especially in urban areas where both parents often work full-time.
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Untapped opportunity
THE benefits of a babysitting industry extend beyond childcare. It can provide much-needed employment, particularly for students, unemployed youth and elderly women who cannot engage in physically demanding work. In Western countries, babysitting is a popular part-time job for students looking to earn extra money. Why should Bangladesh not capitalise on this potential?
If properly structured, babysitting could offer a formalised job sector with background checks, training programs, and certification systems. Imagine an app-based service where parents can browse verified babysitters, check ratings, and book services as needed 鈥� similar to ride-sharing platforms. This not only ensures convenience but also builds trust between service providers and seekers.
Moreover, babysitting services can create opportunities for social entrepreneurship. Businesses and NGOs can develop structured programs to train caregivers, set up service platforms, and create a trusted ecosystem for both parents and sitters. Providing proper training and incentives for babysitters will not only increase their credibility but also ensure better childcare standards.
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Addressing safety
SECURITY concerns are valid. How can parents trust an unknown babysitter? How do we ensure that babysitters are not exploited or put in unsafe situations? The answer lies in regulation and innovation.
A national database for babysitters, where individuals are registered with proper identification, could serve as a starting point. Mobile applications can integrate features like background verification, live tracking, and review systems to maintain accountability. Moreover, parents could install basic monitoring systems at home, such as CCTV cameras, to ease their concerns.
The introduction of babysitting agencies could further streamline the process. These agencies could vet potential babysitters through rigorous background checks, provide essential training, and offer standardised contracts to ensure both the sitters and the parents have clear expectations. Additionally, forming a community network where parents share feedback and experiences can help build a reliable babysitting system.
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Policy and social change
IF BANGLADESH is to introduce babysitting as a mainstream service, policymakers, businesses and NGOs must step in. Initiatives like short training programs for aspiring babysitters can ensure quality childcare. Legal frameworks can be developed to regulate babysitting services, ensuring both child safety and fair wages for caregivers. Social campaigns can help change public perception, highlighting how babysitting is not a foreign concept but a practical solution to modern parenting challenges.
Governments and private sectors should collaborate to create incentives for babysitting services. Subsidies for working parents, tax benefits for registered babysitting businesses, and public awareness campaigns can all play a role in normalising the concept. Schools and universities can also integrate childcare training programs, allowing students to gain skills that will benefit them in both part-time and future career opportunities.
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Future
THE growing number of working mothers and nuclear families signals a demand for structured childcare services. A well-organised babysitting industry could empower women, create jobs, and ease the burden on working parents. It鈥檚 time to shed restrictive notions and embrace this opportunity for economic and social progress.
Bangladesh is at a turning point 鈥� either it can continue to struggle with a rigid childcare model, or it can step into the future with a professional, accessible, and safe babysitting industry. The choice is ours.
Babysitting, if implemented correctly, can bring numerous advantages to the country. It allows parents, particularly women, to pursue careers without compromising their children鈥檚 well-being. It offers students and unemployed individuals a respectable means of income. And most importantly, it ensures children receive the care they need in a safe, structured environment.
In a rapidly evolving society, Bangladesh must adopt new solutions to meet the demands of its people. Babysitting is not merely a service 鈥� it is a pathway toward a more balanced, efficient, and economically productive future.
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Tohura Moriom Misti is a humanitarian and development consultant.