Scenario: It’s 3 p.m., you have chores to do, errands to run, dinner to think about, and the kids are going every which direction. Does this sound all too familiar? Instead of driving yourself crazy, or getting full time care, book a sitter to help pick-up and drop-off the child(ren) from school.
The sitter is typically a college student, recent grad, or freelancer who has flexible hours, loves kids, and is available in the afternoon to pick up your child(ren) from school. After the sitter picks up your child(ren), he or she can take them to lessons, play dates, appointments, or home. The sitter can also stay after they get home to assist with homework, dinner prep, or downtime before the rest of the family gets home.
Families typically have a rotation of sitters they use to book on a month-to-month basis; some will book once per week, while another will book five days. It may be with two sitters, or five, depending on the schedule and family’s request.
This set up exposes the child(ren) to different personalities, people, and hobbies. It also makes them excited to see a familiar face at the next appointment. With a few sitters sharing the jobs, the sitters are always well rested, energetic for the appointment, and excited to see the kids!
To book a pick-up or drop-off sitter, please email us today!
Written by our Founder & CEO, Lindsay Bell
Monthly Archives: May 2018
Safe and Sound on the Job
In today’s world, it’s important that childcare providers (sitters, nannies, etc.) are keeping the children and themselves as safe as possible. Here are some helpful quick tips to keep in mind while babysitting, and for a full list, read here.
1. Telephone Safety
Make sure you have a fully charged phone to call or text the parents if you have a question, or there is an emergency. Nothing is more stressful to a parent than the sitter not picking up or responding.
2. Personal Safety
Make sure you are healthy when you care for children and that you are aware of your surroundings (i.e., have the parent or doorman watch you get into a taxi or uber at the end of the night).
3. Danger from Strangers
Never leave the home without the children. Do not open the door for anyone you do not know unless it is communicated by the parent.
4. Other Safety Considerations
If you feel you or the child(ren) are unsafe in a situation, remove yourself and the child(ren) out of that situation.
5. Safety Inspection Checklist
Be predictive and prepared to prevent injuries, drowning, falls, etc.
6. Preventing Accidents and Injuries
Prevent it as much as possible by being present and aware. Recognize the problem and then fix it.
7. Being Prepared for Weather Emergencies
Be smart and proactive. If the weather is going to be bad before an appointment, reach out to the family and make sure they are still on, and come up with a plan to get home safely.
8. Violence or Crime
- Be aware at all times!
- Avoid drawing unwanted attention.
- Know how to exit fast.
- If you hear gun fire; lie down with the children for cover.
- If the home looks like it has been broken into; do not enter. Call 9-1-1
9. Play it Safe!
Always watch a child at all times especially in and around water.
List pulled from the “American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Handbook”
Do You Have a Birth Plan?
As I get closer to delivery (only five more weeks), my husband and I were advised by my OB to review a series of questions and “what if” scenarios. I found a detailed check list on The Bump, which provided a great starter template. But you have to keep in mind; plans don’t always go the way you envision. So, play out a few different scenarios so you are not surprised, or caught off guard!
Here are some interesting things they brought up that I didn’t really think about:
- Do you want the lights bright or dimmed?
- Do you want interns present from the birth?
- How do you prefer to spend your first stage of labor (i.e., in a bath tub, walking around, with music or in silence)?
- During delivery, how do you want to be positioned (i.e., stand, squat, lie on side, lean on partner)?
And here are some really important questions to ask yourself and consider:
- Would you like labor augmentation? Do you even know what that is?
- What kind of pain relief do you want to use? There are a lot of options.
- What level of fetal monitoring do you want?
- After delivery, what do you want to do with the umbilical cord and placenta?
- What if you have to have a c-section. Read about options and recovery. You have decisions here too (i.e., want your partner there, want to see the baby come out via mirror)?
- Print out your plan and keep it in your hospital bag. It’ll be a nice source of comfort.
**Fun fact: Lindsay had her baby only one week after writing this post! Good thing she had her birth plan (and this blog) all set.
Written by our Founder & CEO, Lindsay Bell