Sean and Tom - the ultimate duo
When our owner Emma took over the PIAP business, one of her main goals was to diversify the sitters and nannies community within Peas. She hoped that she would find opportunities to bring on sitters with varying interests and personalities in order to create a wide range of choice for her community of families. Last year the perfect opportunity came when Peas brought on its very first male sitter!
Tom, a recent high school graduate, approached Peas when he heard about the agency through the grapevine and asked to join. Peas were delighted by Tom’s interest in babysitting and saw it as the perfect chance to offer unique experiences to the families in the community.
Through PIAP, Tom was paired with Sean, a 9 year old boy with Down Syndrome. Due to his condition, Sean struggles with limited speech abilities and requires around the clock care. But just like any other young child, Sean loves sport, being active, and playing with others. As such, we found that Tom, an energetic and active young teenager, was the perfect match for Sean.
Once a week Tom would meet Sean at his school for pick up time and take him down to a local cafe for a milkshake. Afterwards, Tom would help Sean get dressed for footy training. Tom would join in on the activities and run around with Sean, helping him learn the rules of football, and ensuring Sean felt motivated, confident and comfortable amongst the team. Running around with Sean, Tom became part of the team himself, which they both loved! Tom’s participation in Sean’s football club was a huge help to Sean’s parents who could enjoy the game from the sidelines and enjoy watching their son play on the field and have fun with his friends.
Tom and Sean were fast friends, forming a special bond that they both cherished. Sean would often beg Tom not to leave at the end of each training session, and Tom would always promise to return for more fun the following week.
The pairing made between these two boys truly enriched the life of not only 9 year old Sean, but for Tom as well. Tom claims that his time with Sean so far has been one of his most enjoyable life experiences:
“I formed a great relationship with Sean who is one of the most friendly and easy going children I have ever come across through my time babysitting and nannying.”
This summer, Tom joined Sean in a local nippers program and will do another footy season with him later this year.
PIAP now has 10 male sitters who are all young competent men bringing a new direction and new opportunities to the agency and families within.