When our children are born, as parents, our number one responsibility is to protect them. To keep them safe, out of harms way, and sheltering them from all the dangers in the world. When our children are born, we worry about every little thing that could go wrong. We take caution with everything that we do. Sanitize our hands and home. Baby proof our surroundings. Make sure we hold their head up right when they are newborns. The list is endless.Protecting our children becomes the number one priority in our lives because our hearts belong to these little beings that we created. Because their lives are the most precious thing to us.
That being said, when we have to leave our children for any reason, we have to be able to leave with trust, knowing that they are in great hands. Not just good, not just okay, but great. We want to be able to be assured that the person that is now taking part in this responsibility of protecting our children is trusting, loving, knowledgeable, and attentive. And more.
Andrew and I have talked a lot about when we will be able to leave our children and go on a date night. Random, sporadic, middle-of-the-week, date night. Not the kind where we drive forty minutes to the grandparent's house to drop the kids off, drive to dinner, call a million times, drive back to pick them up, and then drive home. A four hour process.
The kind where we call our trusted sitter and ask her to stop by for a few hours to play with the kids. The sitter that our kids shriek up and down clapping their hands with excitement as soon as she walks through the door. The kind that scoops them up with hugs and kisses. A sitter that we love and appreciate so much that we bring her a cheesecake home from dinner. Who doesn't love a yummy slice of cheesecake.
I dream about the perfect sitter. I want our family to have that one day. To have a trusting individual that loves our children like their own. Because by loving them like their own, they will protect them like we do.
Do you have a sitter that you love and trust? One that you would bring dessert home to?
If so, I strongly encourage you to nominate your sitter for the 2013 America's Top Sitter Contest. How do you do this? It's easy!
- Upload a picture and tell us a little about your sitter. Why do you think they should win, and what makes them great.
- Your sitter's info will then be viewable on Sittercity Facebook.
- The top ten will be chosen by a panel of experts by Sittercity, and the final winner will then be chosen by the Facebook community.
- You want to know the best part? Grand Prize is $5,000! Now I bet you could convince them of some free babysitting nights. That or they better bring you a cheesecake!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Hi! Hi! Hi!! I'm your perfect sitter!
ReplyDeleteHey Becky! This is the first time I have commented. I am currently in my Junior year of college and have babysat for families since I was in 7th grade. Just as much as a family would like to find the perfect babysitter, we as babysitters would like to find the perfect family. I have been so fortunate that I found those families all through word of mouth. Starting in my hometown and them knowing a family in my college town and the referrals kept coming. It is so comforting to walk in to the house you are babysitting at and have the kids jump up and down and then be mad that mom and dad finally came home at the end of the night or day because they still want to hang out with the fun babysitters. I have grown such a strong relationship with the family I have babysat for since I started college when their 3rd child was just an infant and have now been with them through the birth of their 4th child. It is so comforting knowing that the family trusts me just as much as I trust and care about them. My schedule is much busier now that I have an internship but I am usually over there once a weekend so the parents can have a quick date night out and I have the kids in bed before they get back. Becky, best of luck with the search for the perfect babysitter and remember your friends will have the best referrals!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky-
ReplyDeleteI am 23 years old and have been babysitting since I was 13. Growing up in a big family I mostly started watching my younger siblings and cousins. Word of mouth is the best tool to find that perfect sitter!
I was a nanny for 5 summers for 2 different families, seeing those kiddos grow up and change is an awesome feeling and I still love keeping in touch with them.
Even being a professional today--I still take any chance to watch my favorite kids at night, weekends, or even over night when their parents have places to go. The best feeling is when parents tell you that they do not even worry about leaving their kids with you because they know you love the kids like they do.
Hope you find a great sitter in your area--your kids are amazing and no one should have trouble loving them!
xoxo. Katie
timeofyourlifekb.blogspot.com
I'm glad you are taking the initiative and realizing that your time is just as valuable as time with your kiddo. We have that, and the other nanny service in STL and I've heard nothing but great things!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite job was babysitting! This past summer I went to the wedding of a beautiful girl, who was just 3 weeks old when I first watched her while her mom went out for a quick run through our neighborhood. I babysat for the family for many years, creating many lasting and fun memories!
ReplyDeleteAt the wedding I was seated with the mother of the bride's sisters and their husbands! I felt like royalty. What an amazing bond to have with a family after all these years. The bride is now 29 years old!
I'm in college and babysit for a couple families near my campus. I love how many questions the moms ask me about other kids I've watched, what I would do in situations, etc. because it shows how much they care about their kids {like every momma} and that they trust me with their precious little loves. I know we live in the same state and visit the same zoo {haha what a thing to have in common. btw did you see the baby elephant is teething? fun fact for the day.} I hope you find the perfect sitter for your family!!
ReplyDelete