It was 1964, and the time for my twin sister, Teresa, and me to start earning our keep at home. There were six kids in our family, and I’m sure my mother appreciated any bit of revenue we could bring to offset the home expenditures.
The profitable career of babysitting fit the bill.
As 11-year-olds, Teresa and I began by watching over the kids in the neighborhood. With us, parents would get the two-for-one special. One of us could change a messy diaper, while the other one took care of making dinner for the screaming siblings. Divide and conquer was our motto!
We began on our neighborhood street, Pacoima Court. Although most of the residents were elderly, there were a few families on the block with children.
Right next door was the Dirckx family with three spunky blonde-haired kids. I think the going rate was about 50 cents an hour, which included dinner, potato chips, cookies, Tab cola, and a healthy dose of Maxwell Smart. After we re-diapered the youngest and fed the other two, we would usher them all to bed, and Teresa and I would settle in for some 1964 spy humor, Get Smart.
I even remember trying to answer my shoe a few times like Don Adams, but I guess the caller had the wrong phone number. Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 were the coolest!
Thanks to a well-crafted resume, word must have gotten out, and soon Teresa and I were in high demand. Down the street was the Raksin family, whose parents were both prominent artists. David Raksin was a renowned composer, known for creating the hit song “Laura” and many other notable works. His wife, Jo, was a very gifted sculptor.
They had two gorgeous rust-colored Airedales, along with two kids who kept us busy. Anyone who thinks babysitting is an easy job is in for a surprise.
Wobbling toddlers and children waving carving knives? How did my mom do it with six athletic children? I can’t imagine babysitting anyone now. You need eight limbs just to handle one two-year-old.
Soon, we branched out to other parts of Studio City, babysitting the Feitshans family, who were notable members of the film community. I think the father’s name was Buzz, from what I recall, or perhaps that was the name of his haircut?
Mr. Feitshans would drive us home, as we slumbered in the back seat, dreaming of Tab and potato chips. After getting home, we were proud of the $2.25 we both made.
Corralling the kids in the ‘60s was much harder than my adult career as an ad executive. I admire anybody who is a parent or a grandparent. I can’t imagine doing it now.
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