UrbanSitter is excited to announce groundbreaking new features designed to make your babysitter search faster and more efficient than ever before. These features launch today in select cities as part of new membership packages. Log in to view Membership Plans available in your area.
Lights, camera, action!
At UrbanSitter, we strive to provide lots of information and efficient tools to help you find the babysitter that’s best for you. New Babysitter Profile Videos bring a sitter’s profile to life as they introduce themselves in a short 30 to 90-second clip.
When your time is precious, profile videos can help you screen a handful of sitters quickly. Of course, videos can’t replace a face-to-face interview, but they can provide a level of assurance, especially if you’re nervous about meeting a new sitter for the first time.
You’ve got questions…. A LOT of questions.
Naturally, when you’re looking for a babysitter, you’re bound to have lots of questions. Even before you get to the point of interviewing, sometimes you just want to ask a question: Will you babysit twins? Are you okay driving my car since you don’t have one? One question can make all the difference, and you don’t want to waste time. That’s why we created the new Ask a Question tool, so you can message sitters anytime with a quick question.
You can also add optional Screening Questions when you post a job to the Job Board. Sitters who are interested in your job may include short replies to your screening questions with their profile, so you can get to know them before the interview. Ask your “make-or-break” questions or general questions to get a sense for their personality. You can choose from our list of common questions, or write your own.
Curious about UrbanSitter’s new features? Create a free account today and start searching for babysitters in your area!
No plans for a family Spring Break vacation this year? No worries.
Check out these super ideas for easy day-trips to entertain you and the kids while school’s out for the week.We’ve included helpful insider tips to get the most of your time together.
San Francisco/Bay Area
It’s a lovely time of year to venture north – just an hour or so from SF – to the Guerneville/Russian River area. On a nice day, hit Sonoma Coast State Beach and if the river is more your speed, visit Johnson’s Beach on the Russian River, which is super family-friendly (i.e., no glass containers, alcohol or dogs allowed).When your kids tire of the beach, but still have energy to burn, head to Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve to hike through the enormous redwoods. You can always opt to drive through the forest to take in the sights if your crew is too petered out for a hike.
Flavors Unlimited is the perfect stop for an ice cream treat. It’s conveniently located just off the main road in Guerneville.
Costs: Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory – Adults $7, Kids Under 12 $5, Kids Under 3 – Free. Tours are limited to 15 people and reservations are required. Call 800.429.4549 to book a reservation.
Charles Schultz Museum – Adults $10, Youth 4-18 $5 and Museum Members and Kids Under 3 – Free.
If you live in the LA area, the obvious choice for a kid-approved day trip might be Disneyland. But, chances are you’ve been there, done that and would rather find a more affordable day with your kids.
Have you been to the Santa Barbara Zoo? It’s just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, and is considered one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Where else can you see more than 500 animals while overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Andree Clark Bird Refuge and Santa Ynez Mountains? Gorgeous!
If you go on a holiday weekend, get there early to avoid the lines, but don’t sweat the parking. There is usually plenty of parking near the zoo. It’s right by the beach so it’s typically chilly – pack a sweater, and don’t forget sunscreen and water. You might want to bring a picnic, too, as you’ll have no trouble finding a nice spot. Opt for a meal at one of the zoo’s cafe is you need a break from packing lunches. Not to miss – feeding the giraffes and riding the train, which goes all around the zoo.
Cost: Adults $14, Kids 2-12 $10, Seniors (60+) and children under 2 – free.
San Diego
You can enjoy the journey as much as the destination by taking the train to Historic San Juan Capistrano. For many kids, a train ride is all they need to make the day memorable, but you can easily keep the fun coming after the train stops. The charming town has something for everyone:
Head to Zoomars, an eclectic petting zoo with a can’t miss new attraction – Miner’s Gulch. Visitors can relive the Gold Rush, panning for gold, gemstones and fossils.
A must do for young and old – have lunch in an old train car! The food is fabulous and the experience of eating in a train car will keep the kids occupied long enough for you to enjoy it.
Costs: Zoomars – Adults $8, Children $7.
Chicago
Spring Break is perfectly timed for a visit to Lamb’s Farm, which opens for the season in late March. The farm is located in Libertyville, Illinois, less than an hour drive from the city. Here you will find a petting area with sheep and goat, mini-golf, a mini-train ride, cow bounce house and an Old World carousel. It’s also loved for its country-style, reasonably restaurants, so no need to bring food. Their Weekend Breakfast Buffet, Saturday Night BBQ Buffet and Friday Night Fish Fry are highly recommended.
It’s a farm, so dress accordingly!
Cost: $5 for Age 2-Adults with additional, minimal costs for the train ride, mini-golf, carousel and bounce house. All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization that runs the farm. The organization serves adults with developmental disabilities, giving them a home and responsibilities in the community through their work at Lamb’s Farm.
New York City
Just 1-½ hours from NYC you’ll find bucolic Hyde Park on the east bay of the Hudson River. It’s an ideal day trip, not only for its scenic attributes, but also for its options and activities to entertain and feed everyone in the family. There’s the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt for a taste of history, the Culinary Institute of America for a beautiful campus stroll, tour and amazing meal; and Big Bear Ziplines, which opened earlier this year to give new meaning to leaf peeping. (The rides are exhilarating, and suitable even for the young, as long as an adult accompanies them!)
If you’re visiting on a weekday, you can stock your picnic basket at the Apple Pie Bakery, before topping the day off with a cinematic throwback: the Hyde Park Drive-In (which has vintage cartoon commercials and a kitschy snack bar). A great day, for everyone, conveniently packaged into one locale!
Costs: FDR – $14/adult (two-day pass) and kids 15 and under are free. Big Bear Ziplines – prices vary. You can book reservations on the tour that’s right for your group by calling 888.ZIP.BBZI (947.2294). Check local flash deal sites for coupons and reduced rates.
Extended family or friends in town for Spring Break, leaving you with large crew of kids to entertain? Hire a babysitter to come along and help out on your day-trip!
Options are seemingly endless for summer day camps and mini-camps for kids as young as toddlers. With camp registrations underway and deadlines quickly approaching, it’s tempting to jump at the first cool camp you come across, just to make sure you secure a spot.
Do yourself and your kids a favor by taking a few minutes to consider these 5 factors before you choose. Not only will it make it easier to decide which works best for your child and your family, it’ll save you a whole lot of money!
Things to consider:
1. Is your child happiest indoors or outside?
Sending a homebody, who finds Zen in the A/C with a stash of art supplies, to “tough it out” in the Great Outdoors might make for (at the very least) unpleasant drop-offs for you both. For years to come, you’ll hear about the number of mosquito bites she suffered! The reverse is just as true. Some kids would choose to be outside even in the dead of winter. If one of them belongs to you, indoor camp probably isn’t the best bang for your buck.
2. Your child’s interests.
It might be obvious that a week of karate isn’t a fit for your princess, but give some thought to whether your child would have more fun with active play or something quieter. Traditional summer camps and sports camps are great for burning energy, but some kids have more fun with more low-key activities, such as crafting, science, learning a foreign language, music or cooking. If you want to get them moving indoors, check out local options for dance, gymnastics/tumbling or theater. Need something to satisfy the child who loves trying new things, check out this list of really cool, not-so-ordinary camp options for NYC area families. Even if you don’t live in NYC, the list might give you a few options to look at finding close to home. You’ll score big points with your adventure-lover.
3. Your schedule.
Little kid summer camps seem to fall into one of a few scheduling categories: they provide all-day care for your child, are a half-day option (mornings or afternoons), or are designed to cover the time after school or daycare and before you get home from work. Decide which you need, and if you have some flexibility with the decision, think about what works best for your child. Will naptime be affected? Is a full day away from home a bit too much for his attention span and stamina?
4. Can you recruit a friend to join and carpool?
Most kids are thrilled to have a buddy join them at camp. It makes it infinitely more fun. And it’s wonderful to have another parent or sitter to share the carpooling. If your car is big enough or you can manage multiple children on public transportation, get a handful of kids to go together. Better yet, coordinate with your pals to book a babysitter who can take care of transportation for the whole group.
5. Cost.
We all knew kids aren’t cheap, but who knew summer camps are so dang expensive!? Yikes! Unless your budget is endless, you need to factor costs into your decision before sending your four-year-old to a few weeks of half-day camps that amounts to the cost of a really great get-away weekend with your spouse. If you’re looking at full-day options for the entire summer, the decision is even costlier. Costs in the SF Bay Area are roughly $5,000 for a 10-week program.
If you’ve given these factors thought and decided summer camp might not work this year, why not hire a babysitter to entertain the kids and give you a regularly scheduled break? There are plenty who would love to help you – log onto UrbanSitter.
Part of being a parent is taking the time to teach kids about responsibility. Assigning kids chores is an ideal way to do just that, and also a way to instill self-discipline, routine, and the importance of being a contributing member of a family and eventually a self-sufficient member of society. Chores also help kids learn practical skills that will help them throughout their lives.
It’s often easier and quicker just to do these tasks on your own, but remember you’re teaching valuable lessons by taking the time to assign and enforce a chore routine in your family.
You can improve your success rate – get kids to be excited or at least not whine and complain too much about doing their jobs – by assigning chores that are age appropriate and building them into your daily routine. It’s also helpful to keep the list short and simple so it’s not overwhelming for anyone, and decide ahead of time how you will motivate, enforce and possibly reward the work. Some say kids shouldn’t be rewarded for basic chores, i.e. doing what’s expected of them, and should instead earn a reward when they go above and beyond expectations.
We bet you’ll be surprised at what kids are capable of doing! Take a look at these suggestions for chores for kids age 2-8 years.
Ages 2-3: Toddlers
This is the age group that likely enjoys having a job to do and is most eager to help. You’ll get much better success if you accompany them in their work.
Pick up toys and books.
Take dishes to the sink after a meal (stick with plastic!)
Dust furniture.
Help put away groceries.
Water plants and flowers.
Put dirty clothes in a hamper.
Ages 4-5: Preschoolers
These budding learners can do a lot more than you think!
Toddler chores.
Empty trash cans.
Put clothes in their drawers or hang them in the closet. Hang a second, lower rod to make it easy for them.
Make a simple bed.
Help set the table.
Fold towels.
Get the mail.
Ages 6-8: Early Elementary
Here’s the group most likely to put up a fight over doing their chores. Remember, positive re-enforcement and encouragement go a long way.
Toddler and preschooler chores.
Wash dishes and load/empty the dishwasher.
Fold clothes.
Pack lunches.
Sweep the floor.
Help with dinner. (Prepping, washing produce, measuring ingredients)
Wipe the bathroom counter.
Take out the recycling.
Use a chore chart to help your family stick to it and track when chores are done. We’ve found a few especially handy, printable chore charts to help. Find one that works best for you. And, don’t forget to keep the babysitter in the loop so she knows the routine and what’s expected.
Free, printable chore charts from “Brought to You By the Letter B”
It’s that time of year when it seems nearly everyone is sneezing, coughing and wiping a runny nose. This is especially true if you have children or around children frequently. How do you keep your family healthy when the odds certainly seem stacked against you?
Try practicing these helpful tips for keeping everyone well this flu season:
Wash hands frequently. Young children should be taught to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Many teachers and daycare providers have them sing a short song, such as “Happy Birthday” sung twice, to show them just how long to scrub. It’s important to wash hands throughout the day, especially after using the bathroom, before meals or snacks, and when returning home. For babies, clean their hands throughout the day with alcohol-free wipes.
Teach kids to keep their hands away from their mouths and noses, especially until they can wash them properly.
Create snacks and meals with lots of whole grains, dark leafy greens (Homemade Kale Chips are awesome!), and foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries. Tea is also a great disease fighter. Serve it to your kids warm with a bit of milk and honey.
Make sure the whole family gets plenty of sleep. It’s often the best medicine, as it allows our bodies to recover and it strengthens our immune systems. Experts recommend 14 to 15 hours of sleep per day for infants, 12 to 14 for toddlers, 11 to 13 for preschoolers and 10 to 11 for school-age kids.
Keep the fluids flowing to keep hydrated and loosen congestion. Dry winter air, indoor and out, can dry out the lining of your nasal passages, creating tiny cracks that make you susceptible to infection. Drinking water can help moisten those membranes.
Fight the spread of germs by regularly wiping down the areas of your home shown to harbor the most germs, such as refrigerator handles, remote controls, and doorknobs.
Arm you family with flu shots. Doctors recommend that everyone over the age of six months get a flu shot. Since the flu peaks in January or February and can extend into March or April, it’s not too late to get one, if you haven’t already.
Make a pot of soup. Research shows that the ingredients in chicken soup actually make you feel better thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. The steam also helps by clearing your sinuses. We love this recipe from Padma Lakshmi that puts a flavorful twist on traditional chicken soup — Indian-Thai Chicken Soup with Butternut Squash and Spinach.
Know when to see a doctor. The symptoms of colds and the flu are often confused. Watch for signs of the flu, which may be the same as those of a cold, though more severe. See a doctor within 48 hours of the onset of the flu for a prescription for flu-fighting TamiFlu. Flu symptoms include:
high fever
headache
cough
sore throat
runny nose
body aches
tiredness
vomiting and diarrhea (especially in younger children)
Teach kids not to share drinks or food. It’s good practice to follow this rule even within your home.
Keep moving, regardless of the weather. It’s easy to retreat to the couch and resort to a movie for afternoon entertainment when it’s cold outside. Instead, bundle up your kids and get the gang outside for a brisk walk or game of Freeze Tag.
Have a child home sick or are you down-and-out with a cold yourself, despite your best efforts to ward off germs? Remember, UrbanSitter is there when you need a back-up babysitter!
There are so many delightful, inspiring ideas for Valentine’s Day decorations, crafts and treats out there! We’ve pulled together some of our favorites to show you how to host a truly adorable Valentine’s Day Party. Keep the guest list small – think of it as a pumped up play date for a few friends – and choose from these awesome ideas you can make yourself (or with the help of a handy babysitter!). Before you know it, you’ll have the makings of an unforgettable party.
Welcome your guest with a hint at what’s inside by decorating your front door with an eye-catching pop of festive color. This DIY wreath is made out of burlap and paper roses. Click here for the tutorial.
“Homemade” Valentines
Why resort to a box of store-bought Valentines when you can print or make your own? Take your pick from several gorgeous Valentines offered as free printables. We especially like the one with a mini bottle of bubbles (instead of more candy!). For those with patience and handy kids, get the kids involved and make your own, like these super awesome hearts made from bit and pieces of broken crayons.
Decorations
There’s no shortage of inspiring party decor photos out there, but we especially like this one that shows you sweet simple can be.
Fun Crafts for the Entertainment
Create some bling with this wildly popular craft idea from Mom On TimeOut. Especially good if you have a party of girls, you need only Hershey kisses and pipe cleaners to whip up a few of these! Have a mixed crowd or slightly older kids, try these Valentine Cala Lillies, which can be taken home for a gift for Mom, Dad or the babysitter.
The Menu
Make it a dessert-only party, which is oh so fitting for this sweet holiday.
Cupcakes, (but, of course!) – Inspiration for an easy treat – top pre-made (store-bought) cupcakes with whipped cream and candy hearts.
Pudding Cups – Makelittle cups of pudding extra tempting by dipping the cup rims in melted chocolate and then rolling them in pink and red sprinkles.
Melon Hearts– Easily sneak in a little healthy to your feast with these melon hearts.
Beverages – You can click on this Pin to order printables to embellish drinks, or you can simply glue paper hearts to the outside of water bottles or plastic tumblers, and even insert a straw through one. Our advice as veteran parents – with all the sugar in the treats, no need to serve a sugary beverage, too. Stick to water or milk!
Take-Home Treats & Party Favors
Order a simple sewing pattern from Craftsy to create magical wands & crown that are sure to thrill any of the little princesses attending. Stick them in a vase for instant decoration, too. Rely on free printables to embellish bags of candy for a tasty take-home.
If you have New Year’s Eve plans this year, you’re probably wondering how you’re ever going to find a babysitter–and once you find one, how much should you pay for New Year’s Eve?
Step 1: Finding a sitter for available on New Year’s Eve
Chances are the college-aged sitter you normally rely on already has plans. If that’s the case, try logging on to UrbanSitter and doing a search for sitters available on December 31st, or post a job. Send a few booking requests out and see if you get any takers. Before you do, think about the best pay rate you’re willing to offer.
Step 2: Deciding how much to pay a sitter on New Year’s Eve
Most parents expect to pay a premium to lock in a sitter on New Year’s Eve, but how much is enough? According to our recent survey:
30% expect to pay a babysitter their normal rate
53% expect to pay 1.5 times the normal rate
15% expect to pay 2 times the normal rate
Step 3: Lock it in
So you’re willing to pay top dollar, but what else can you do to ensure you’ll score a sitter? Offer to pay her cab ride home, delicious takeout, and if you’re not getting back until late, work out an overnight stay fee. She’ll be delighted to crash on your couch and earn an extra buck.
Enjoy the big night and Happy New Year!
Search for babysitters available on New Year’s Eve at UrbanSitter.com.
Whether you are going to a formal office holiday party or the neighborhood cookie exchange, you want to look your best this holiday season. And while it’s fun to treat yourself to something new, your very own closet or a consignment shop probably has some surprisingly-wearable items. Here are a few ideas, or visit our One Hot Mama Pinterest Board for tons more holiday inspiration!
Visit our Pinterest board for more One Hot Mama fashion inspiration!
Fancy pants: If you need a ball gown or fancy dress, your best bet is to shop the consignment stores or your friends’ closets. It’s not worth it to buy a $500 dress for one night (unless you can afford to and then, by all means, you should!). In most cities and even some suburbs, there are consignment stores that stock almost-new, brand-name dresses. For reasons stated above, they are usually in fabulous condition. Friends who have worked or still work for big law or finance firms will usually have a few good choices on hand as well.
Evening with friends: Buy new jewelry or a pretty scarf and wear something you already own. Remember that basic black dress you wore to a wedding six years ago? Well, assuming it still fits, it’s probably only boring to you. Others will see it as new and exciting, especially when paired with bold jewelry or a fun wrap. Costume jewelry is all the rage right now, and you can go high-end (like Kate Spade or Nordstrom brand) or you can march into H&M or Forever 21 and get yourself a little bauble that amps up your look ten fold. Also available are super-soft cashmere or wool wraps in sumptuous colors (why not try pink or chartreuse?) or simple black or champagne with some sequins or sparkle to it. Your basic black is suddenly anything but.
Cookie exchange or children’s school party: This is a great opportunity to wear your favorite winter basics. Nice cords and a sweater can be enhanced greatly by a pair of suede booties or a leopard print skinny belt. If you want to embrace the season, do it with color (red or green sweater) or appropriate jewelry (a red bangle bracelet is cute. Or a Christmas pin, but stop at one. More than that and Grandma Judy might be the only fan). Also, a Santa hat is fun and always appreciated by the under-12 crowd.
The Nutcracker or Symphony: Pair something indulgent with something basic. Try a crisp white blouse with a black bubble skirt and heels. Add a chunky-jeweled necklace and you could be going to the ball or brunch. Also, a beautiful silk blouse in a jewel tone (pick one that compliments your skin tone), stands on its own with plain pants., i.e. dark trouser jeans or black slacks.
Remember, it’s not only the outfit that makes you shine during this crazy, festive, fabulous season; it’s the smile on your face and the bounce in your step.
Sure to add a bounce to your step: Booking a babysitter for your night out! UrbanSitter makes it fast and easy. so log on today and book a sitter in minutes!
Homework adds a whole new element to a family’s evening routine. If it’s put your evenings into a bit of a tailspin, you might want to try out these helpful techniques for helping your children develop good homework habits. It’s not too late to start.
Determine the best time for homework and stick to it. Make it whatever works best for your family – immediately after school, before or after dinner, or before bed. For most, it’s best to tackle it after school, once kids have had a snack and a few minutes of chill time, but before they dive into activities, outside play or TV. Having it done and out of the way frees up the evening for other activities and family time.
Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Make it a place that’s free of interruptions or temptations, and is well lit. Have tools and materials, such as sharpened pencils, markers, and a dictionary handy.
Make sure you set aside ample time. Young children may only need a few minutes to copy spelling words or trace letters and you can likely read a Bob book together pretty darn quickly, but if possible, turn off the rush. It also helps to give older kids time to work through tougher homework without the added stress of squeezing it into the schedule.
Be available to offer assistance, clarify directions, and review the finished product, but don’t do the homework for your child. Don’t forget to offer praise for a job well done.
If your child is continually struggling with the work, it may be time to consider a tutor. It might be the solution that takes the stress off both your child and you. Talk to your child’s teacher first.
Looking for a babysitter to help with homework or tutoring? Find afterschool sitters at UrbanSitter.com.
What’s your child going to be for Halloween this year? If you haven’t decided, dread the thought of hitting the costume isle or combing the Internet to find something that will please both you and your kids (and is the right size), let us help.
We’ve found 10 Super Cool Make-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes that are sure to impress your friends and neighbors, and more importantly your kids. No matter what your needs or limitations, we’ve found your perfect costume!
When you need a good excuse to dress up, too:Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb, and you can, too! You can be Mary, and will have a blast turning your munchkins into a doting herd of little lambs. These lambs are outfitted in batting sewn onto a leotard worn over a black tee and tights. There’s a template for making the ears, and a little face paint will finish it off.
When the budget is bust and time is of the essence: Baby-saurus
It doesn’t get much easier or cheaper than this one… and it’s pretty dang cute! Cut sponges in half on the diagonal and super glue them to the back and head of a matching one-piece suit (or jammies) and a cap.
When Brother and Sister are best of pals and two is better than one:The King and The Queen
It’s hard to believe these are no-sew costumes. They look to good to be easy, but truly they are. Follow the instructions for making the capes and embellishing a suit and fancy dress your kids already own.
Cheating a little? Yes, but not really. Here’s a homemade costume made by someone else. It’s adorable, original and looks way better than anything mass produced.
When you’re a master of the glue gun and love a little glam: The Peacock
Gorgeous and eye-catching, this little peacock comes together with a onesie, pair of tights, handful of feathers, and some elastic sequin bands… and a really good glue gun.
Sure, you could let them all be Disney princesses, but if you have more than one daughter, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve had all the princess you can stomach. How about mermaids (call her Ariel, if she’s a die-hard Disney fan)? How cute would it be to make them all tails and have each girl choose her own color top and crown to make it her own?
Plan on doing some shopping for this one, including a hardware, craft and sporting goods store… unless you already own a lot of duct tape; a clean, empty paint can; and knee and elbow pads, among other materials.
The crafter who created this sure-fire hit costume claims it takes little more than “ garbage, spray paint, felt fire, and 20 minutes.” Even if your kid isn’t a Star Wars fan, it’s unlikely he or she will want to take this off.
When your baby is so yummy, you could eat her up: Candy Corn Baby
This is a great costume for little ones trick-or-treating, since it will keep them warm and cozy. You’ll need a sewing machine, but the tutorial is easy to follow and the lines are straight, so it’s not too tough, even for the sewing beginner.
No time for DIY? There’s undoubtedly a babysitter ready and willing to jump into a fun project with your kids! Check out babysitter profiles on UrbanSitter to find the perfect fit.
Naturally, when you’re looking for a babysitter, you’re bound to have lots of questions. Even before you get to the point of interviewing, sometimes you just want to ask a question: Will you babysit twins? Are you okay driving my car since you don’t have one? One question can make all the difference, and you don’t want to waste time. That’s why we created the new Ask a Question tool, so you can message sitters anytime with a quick question.
