A part-time helper may do a number of different things, depending on the purpose for which he or she is hired. One of the most common examples is a part-time mother's helper. Similar to a babysitter, this person may provide assistance to a family while they are on vacation, or may just help out with the kids during the day, whether the parents are home or not. Another type of part-time helper may provide assistance in cleaning the home, or doing other tasks like grocery shopping or running errands. This can be especially helpful for older or disabled people, who may find it difficult or impossible to drive or get around.
The purpose of a part-time helper is to provide assistance as needed, and to make life easier for the person he or she is working for. This may be on a year-round basis, or just during certain times of the year, such as the summer when kids are off from school. Part-time helpers may work any hours of the day; this is usually determined on an individual basis with the person who hired him or her. Parents who work overnight, for example, may need a helper to come and stay at their home overnight with the child.
A mother's helper is the most common type of part-time helper. This is very similar to a nanny or babysitter, but frequently the helper will work in the home with the kids even when the parents are home. Parents who work from home often find this to be a useful way to get work done. In addition, families going on vacation with a lot of children will occasionally hire a part-time helper to go with them, and provide help in watching the children to make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be and entertained.
Other types of part-time helpers will provide assistance based on the specific needs of their clients. Housecleaning and errand running are some of the most common, for people who have trouble completing these tasks, or for those who just don't have the time to do so. Other part-time helpers may be hired on an as-needed basis; for instance, if a student needs extra help in a class or preparing for a certain test, a part-time helper might be hired to tutor him or her. Most people who work as part-time helpers are self-employed and charge on an hourly or contract basis.