Family Times with Carla N. Wines

My days are full of surprises. They can be peaceful and quiet; but they can also be chaotic. I think it’s the same for all moms. Facing a chaotic day is inevitable for every mom.

I’m just glad that I always try to have a positive outlook on things. My positive outlook has always helped me get through a lot of chaotic days. But when it comes to childcare, sometimes a positive outlook is not enough. For me, childcare is a serious matter and that’s why I trust Sittercity.

Sittercity makes it easy for me. How? Well, here are my five reasons as to why Sittercity makes it very easy for me.

It’s Internet Based

Sittercity is internet based, meaning I don’t have to leave the house to look for a reliable babysitter for my kids. I can easily find a babysitter within the comforts of my home. I just post a job on the Sittercity website to get a good list of interested applicants.

It’s Safe

For some parents that are still having doubts on finding a babysitter online, it’s definitely safer with Sittercity. As a Sittercity member, I have access to the profiles of the babysitters. Together with that, I can also read the reviews of the other parents that have hired a particular babysitter in the past. The information I can gather from the profiles and some babysitter Sittercity reviews can really make it safe for me and my kids. But at times when I need more information about a particular applicant, I can always run a background check. This is to make sure that I’m hiring someone that has not had any criminal record in the past. That’s how Sittercity makes it safe.

It’s Affordable

To my surprise, Sittercity is very affordable. We don’t really need to commit to a yearly membership. As a matter of fact, Sittercity offers a three-month membership. That’s a pretty good deal for moms like me that are always on a budget, more especially if you use a Sittercity promotion code or discount.

The Selection Process Is Easy

Sittercity has an easy-to-follow guide that can help us find the right babysitter for our kids. We can screen the applicants by going over their profiles and reviews. And, of course, we can also have their background checked. From there, we can finally come up with a shortlist of applicants to interview. We can do the interview over the phone or maybe even conduct a face-to-face interview at home or somewhere else. After all the interviews are done, we can finally evaluate and run another background check (a more in depth one) on the applicant we are about to hire.

So if there’s one thing I’m sure of, Sittercity guides me pretty well. This particular selection process of Sittercity really makes it easy for moms like me to choose the right babysitter.

Last Minute Child Care Is Easy To Find

Finding last minute child care can drive any mom crazy. In times when a last minute child care is needed, we usually just settle for someone that’s available. That, of course, can be very dangerous for the kids.

But it’s different with Sittercity according to CX Baby babysitter resource site. First of all, Sittercity makes it easy to find a last minute babysitter. Since Sitterctiy has a wide network of professional babysitters. I’m sure to find one at the last minute. As a Sittercity member, I have that privilege.

There’s just no doubt that Sittercity lessens the chaos moms, like me, face everyday.

It’s almost summer and I’m really looking forward to it. I can finally catch up on my sleep and enjoy each day with my kids. We will savor the first few weeks of summer vacation by sleeping in and lazing around the house. But eventually I will need to think of some kind of summer activity for them. I can’t just keep them at home for the whole summer. So as early as now, I’m thinking of what kind of summer activity I can enroll my kids in.

I’m getting a lot of great ideas from this article Parenting.com. Taking my kids to the museum sounds like a good idea. It’s just one fun activity I can do with my kids. But I really need to enroll them in a good summer program so they won’t get bored at home. Here are a couple of interesting summer activities I’m considering for my kids.

Music Lessons

Summer is always a good time to learn something new. I can enroll my kids in music lessons. Maybe they want to learn how to play the piano, guitar, flute, or any kind of musical instrument; it’s their choice. Summer time is just about the best time to get into learning a particular kind of musical instrument.

Sports

Enrolling my kids in a sports program is a good idea as well. I can have them choose whatever sport they want to get into. Getting them out in the sun will do them good.

Arts And Crafts

There are a lot of arts and craft programs for kids. Enrolling them in an arts and craft summer program is also a good idea. They will be able to explore their own creativity. I wouldn’t mind having priceless art pieces from my kids.

Cooking Classes

Cooking class is one good option as well. Whether they choose a cooking or a baking class, they’ll definitely benefit from this kind of summer program. If they do choose this particular summer program, I will be very excited to get a taste of their food products.

Programming Lessons

This may sound a little too serious, but I’m also thinking of computer programming lessons for my kids. I have heard a lot about computer programming for kids. Apparently, it isn’t just for a select few. Anyone can learn it and there are a lot of benefits in learning how to program a computer. According to this article on LifeHacker.com, computer programming can develop kids to become problem solvers, creative thinkers, and effective communicators. That definitely sounds good to me.

Considering there are computer programming classes for kids, it’s worth enrolling my kids in one. After all, they spend a lot of time playing on computers and on their devices. At some point, they should appreciate and understand how computers work. Although I know this sounds way too advanced for my kids and for myself as well, enrolling them in a computer programming class is one interesting option for the summer. Let’s face it, it does have some great benefits. I just really need to make sure my kids are interested in it.

Aside from enrolling my kids in a summer program, there are a lot of fun and exciting activities we can do together. Although I’m looking forward to getting some rest, I don’t mind spending time with my kids doing some fun activities, It’s a good break from all the homework from school. I also don’t mind taking my kids to their choice of summer program. Whatever they choose to learn for the summer, I’m all for it. I’m really looking forward to the summer.

When it comes to compensating the babysitter, you’d want to do it the right way. One thing for sure, you wouldn’t want to underpay or, even worse, overcompensate her. You would want to do it just right.

The standard hourly rates of babysitters are published on the Sittercity website. The rates are based on the number of children and the age of the babysitter. You will find the table on the Sittercity website very useful. It will give you a good idea as to what the standard rates are in the top cities. You can use it as a good starting point in trying to figure out the right compensation for your babysitter.

But there are other things to consider in compensating your babysitter or nanny. Below are the factors you need to look into before finalizing how much you should actually compensate your babysitter or nanny.

There’s A Difference Between A Babysitter And A Nanny

You would have to be specific as to what kind of childcare service you prefer because there is a difference between a babysitter and a nanny, according to family website iParentingLife. A babysitter would seem to have a higher compensation when it comes to hourly pay. But you would also have to consider that nannies are paid on a weekly or monthly basis. These are just one of the few things you need to consider in hiring either a babysitter or a nanny. But for starters, you really need to be specific as what kind of childcare service you are looking for.

Consider The Number Of Kids

The standard hourly rates posted on Sittercity are based on two kids. So if you have more than two kids for the babysitter or nanny to watch over, you definitely have to compensate her more.

Older And Experienced Babysitters And Nannies Are Compensated More

As you go over the resumes and profiles of the babysitters on Sittercity, you will find that there are some that are older and more experienced. If you do decide to hire someone that’s older and more experienced, you need to compensate her more.

Consider The Responsibilities Of The Job

Another thing you need to consider is the scope of the responsibilities More responsibilities on the job require more compensation. So in case you require the babysitter or nanny to cook and wash the dishes, she would definitely have to be compensated more.

More Compensation For A Job Well Done

Finding a babysitter or a nanny is a hard task; more so finding one that you can actually trust. If you do find someone that you can trust, don’t hesitate to compensate more. Remember no amount of money can really make up for peace of mind. Appreciate a job well done with a higher compensation. By the way, do make sure to use a promo code discount on Sittercity membership in case you decide to use this great service.

Holiday Pay

If you do decide to hire a babysitter or a nanny during the holidays, it would definitely require a higher compensation. Holiday pay is always higher than the regular working days.

Travel Time

You would also need to consider the travel time of the babysitter or nanny. It she is coming from an area that’s quite a distance from yours, then you would have to compensate her for the travel time.

But with Sittercity, you wouldn’t have to look for someone from another area. The good thing about hiring a sitter from Sittercity is that you can actually find someone that’s living within your area.

These are the major considerations you would need to look into in compensating your babysitter or nanny. Remember it’s not easy finding the perfect person for the job. So if you do find her, it just makes perfect sense to compensate her well.