With Valentine's Day looming it's often difficult for busy parents to find a reputable babysitter in time for a nice dinner or anything for that matter.
This was the driving force behind the web site Urban Sitter. The company was founded by three moms and one dad including, Lynn Perkins, who recognized the need among herself and her friends to nab a reputable sitter either at the last minute or during a busy holiday date night.
"Parents have always preferred to book babysitters through referrals from friends. UrbanSitter brings this word of mouth process online. Using our site parents can see if an available sitter has been booked by the parent’s friend, another family from their child’s school, or a parent in the local mom group.”
Currently the web site offers child care services in markets including New York, Chicago, Boulder and Denver, Colorado and San Fransisco, and it's expanding all the time due to the need. One of the site's most popular features is the ability for consumers who like one babysitter to find a friend of that sitter if their first choice is not available.
"If my favorite sitter is busy on Saturday night, my next preference is to book one of her friends," Perkins explains.
Urban Sitter enables parents to search, book and review trusted sitters within minutes--something their clients respond to positively.
In addition to their own services, Perkins offers the following tips for parents on finding childcare in a pinch:
Related: How Young is TOO Young to Start Babysitting?
Join forces: In any given neighborhood there are only so many sitters to go around. Why not share a sitter with your friends or neighbors? One sitter at one house with multiple families is a recipe for fun for everyone – the sitter benefits from the kids’ ability to entertain one another (not to mention a little extra cash), the kids get a “party” and the adults all enjoy their grown-up time. Talk about a win-win!
Also, many sitters like working with a sitter friend. Hiring two sitters for a group of children can be extra fun for the sitters and the kids.
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Pay a premium: Let’s face it – money talks. If you’re willing to pay either a “bonus” or a higher hourly rate your sitter will surely be more likely to forego her own plans.
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Go out early: We’re not talking early bird special here, but booking an earlier dinner reservation has its perks. You will get a real Valentine’s treat away from making the kids’ dinner, clean up and bath time and you will be home in time for your energetic, college-aged sitter to celebrate the holiday with her friends or special someone.
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Explore creative alternatives: Some community organizations offer safe and fun “pajama parties” for kids on holidays. Kids enjoy pizza, crafts, games, stories and movies in a group setting for a fee per child.
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Sitter share: While it may seem counter-intuitive to share your sitter’s information with your friends, doing so can really pay-off. Imagine having 10 great sitters that you could reach out to at any time. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. If you and nine of your mommy friends all shared your sitters, you’d have exactly that. And, having a bigger network of babysitters means that it’s easier to find one on holidays or any day.
More from GalTime:
- What is the Going Rate Now-a-Days?
- Valentine's Gift Ideas for Your Small Sweethearts
- Date Night: Nothing to Talk About
- FANtastic Super Bowl Party Ideas for Kids
Tara Weng is the national editor of parenting and health for GalTime. She is also a media consultant with a focus on medical and consumer topics. Her professional experience includes a stint as a medical/features producer at the NBC affiliate in Boston, MA and a media relations position at a top teaching hospital in Boston. Tara has also done public relations consulting work and has written for several online and print media outlets. She is a wife and a mother to two children (who are fantastic) and an enthusiastic New England sports fan.
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