Rich Kid Confidential: "They live lives people dream about, but they don't seem to appreciate it"

[Human Torch]

Rich Kid Confidential
Hollywood's hottest babysitters tell all
By Anonymous

http://www.radaronline.com/features/2006/11/rentadads.php

A growing number of the Hollywood elite are relying on a flock of young, athletic men and women to teach their tots everything from the breaststroke to the perfect baseball swing. Sure, when parents have the money, it's their right, nay, responsibility to give their children any leg up their riches afford. But one wonders if paying a surrogate to play catch with your son—the apex of the father-son bonding experience—might leave the next generation of Hollywood moguls with deep emotional scars. The instructors aren't complaining.

Comprised mostly of aspiring actors and filmmakers, it's an occupation that offers access to potential industry contacts, and is an easy way to pay the rent while you're waiting for your big break. The pay scale ranges from $50 to $100 an hour. It sounds like handsome pay, but it's modest compensation when you consider you're dealing with some of the brattiest people in the world—and that's just the parents we're talking about. Radar sat down with a group of top instructors to find out how they cope. (Ed. note: Names have been changed to protect the innocent.)

• Donna, 28-year-old swim coach hoping to become an actress/rock star with a rock hard body
• Jimmy, 35-year-old sports coach hoping to turn his private lessons into a chain of gymnasiums
• Julianne, 24-year-old swim teacher/sports coach hoping for her big acting break
• Tom, 26-year-old swim coach looking to produce films

Do people ever try to negotiate price with you?

Donna: The richer they are the less they expect to pay. They all have Bentleys in the driveway and fight with me over $55.

Julianne: I have one entertainment family that I often end up teaching an hour longer than the time agreed upon. I don't charge them for that, but one day I left two minutes early and the mother said, "It's 3:28." I said, "Do you want me to stay until 3:30?" She just shrugged. So I grabbed her daughter and taught her for another two minutes. It's ridiculous.

Tom: They all have this entitlement thing in Hollywood.

What are the homes like?

Donna: As we get more clients, the houses seem to get bigger and bigger. We're talking over 10,000 square feet.

Tom: There isn't one humble house. Many times, it's a half mile drive from the driveway to the front door. It's all a bit over-the-top. They're like MTV Cribs-style houses. The four-year-olds have separate wings.

Donna: I've been in such big houses that I've got lost leaving the bathroom. They live lives people dream about, but they don't seem to appreciate it. My first year here I was in shock. Now nothing surprises me.