Favorite Find of the Day: Sittercity

Thing One - she's 14 - recently started babysitting and has saved up enough money to buy her own Christmas gifts, this year!

No, not for herself - puhleeeze, I'm not THAT mean - I mean, she's actually taking care of buying gifts for her sisters, brother and has eluded to the fact that there might even be a little something under the tree, for me.

If I continue to behave nicely, that is.

Thing One is my oldest and, from a very early age, has always been a very easygoing and - unlike, her mother - a patient and nurturing soul.  She loves children and other parents want to, you know, adopt her.

All it took was for one referral - from a parent/teacher/organization type leader - and Thing One's babysitting services are NOW in high demand!

Which just goes to show that, even in the parenting world, there is a place for word-of-mouth of marketing!

Which is why I am totally blog-crushing on Sittercity:

At Sittercity, our mission is to connect parents with caregivers in their area to give each side what they want - some time off for adults-only activities and access to a multitude of child and pet care jobs.

Sittercity has one of the largest and most easily accessible database for babysitters, nannies and pet sitters I've ever seen and offers a number of referral services:

• A four-step screening process
• Comprehensive sitter profiles
• FREE access to background checks
• Sitter video interviews

There are community message boards, interesting and informative reading in their articles library (like, Parent-How (and What) Petsitters Charge, Parent-Babysitter Interview Checklist and Babysitter Safety Training Process) and tools, like a Babysitter Cheat Sheet and Rate Calculator.

Did I mention that they host Dance Party Fridays?

[puts down the clicker and places lampshade on head]

Take a quick tour and see for yourself.

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