I have babysat for extra cash many times in my life but usually for the 5 and above age set. Today, I babysat for a 2 ½ year old whose mom was in need of a last minute sitter. Here are few thoughts about the experience.

1. A majority of girls/women will smile at a man who is pushing a toddler in a stroller. This type of phenomenon has been chronicled in Nick Hornby’s great book About A Boy.

2. Strollers are more complicated then I knew. I literally needed help from the 2 year old to show me how to fold and unfold the umbrella style stroller properly.

3. When crossing a street with someone else’s small child, paranoia sets in; even if there are clearly no cars coming in either direction on the street, I will not cross till I get the walk sign.

4. While talking with the child’s mom, she jokingly said I should become a manny (a male nanny) since it is the new trend in Hollywood with people like Britney Spears. Someone who is better with photoshop then I am, should make a picture with the headline “Britney hires a Manny”. The picture should consist of Britney standing next to her baby which is being bottle fed by a corn-rolled Manny Ramirez.

5. A large percentage of the time parents pay in checks rather then cash. While in general this is no big deal, it is slightly annoying because the extra discretionary income is not immediately available.