The Balance of Modern Family Life in Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta's culture has gradually transformed over the years. Puerto Vallarta has evolved from a paternalistic fishing village with large families to a place that has adapted to various cultural influences from around the world. It became common for marriages to dissolve, resulting in smaller family units. In recent years, Puerto Vallarta transitioned from a fishing village to a tourist destination, significantly affecting family dynamics. While the economy improved for some, others had to adapt to job offers with benefits and a structured labor system.
Today, modern families face a significant challenge that disrupts their equilibrium: what to do when both parents need to work more than 8 hours a day to cover the substantial household expenses. Tuition fees, healthcare costs, clothing, groceries, school supplies, uniforms, shoes, sports gear, and more pile up, making life excessively expensive. New strategies are required, and this is where the role of caregivers, or babysitters, comes into play.
A babysitter is a domestic worker whose functions, tasks, and responsibilities involve caring for children in their home regularly, following a predetermined schedule. The childcare provider is accountable for the health, education, activities, and behavior of the children during working hours. Apart from childcare, babysitters may handle other tasks related to children, such as assisting with schoolwork and organizing activity schedules. Household chores, like running errands or tidying up, are added only if a babysitter is caring for school-aged children.
The caregiver's workload regarding household tasks is determined by the children's age and number under their care. If a babysitter is working with older children of school-going age, they may assume additional responsibilities. However, if they are caring for newborns, toddlers, or preschoolers, they might not be able to manage many extra tasks as they need to focus more on the little ones.
Presently, in Puerto Vallarta, modern families where both parents work full-time find it necessary to seek professional babysitting services. These services help restore the balance in households, allowing families to strengthen their foundational structure.