Be EXTRAORDINARY!

Our goal at SeekingSitters is to do more than just babysit. We want to provide families with a service they have never had before. I want every feedback report from families to include words like: Fabulous! Unbelievable! and Extraordinary! This is what our service is all about.

Arrival: First impressions are everything. Babysitters should be on the job from the minute they walk through the door. If the family is trying to get out the door, take over anything you can help with.

During the job: Sitters are there to entertain, to excite, and to create adventure! Think outside of the box and you’ll draw kids in. Here are a few ideas and we’ll keep adding to this segment:
Kids like activity. One of the things my kids loved best about Evie is she would do “Bronco” and “Airplane.” I’m pretty sure this was bucking bronco rides on her knees and airplane rides up on her feet. She also went outside to play Red Light, Green Light; Freeze Tag, and Red Rover. There was always lots of laughing and giggling when I came home!
Art: Art is important because it is part of leaving behind your mark. Not all kids like art, but make it a game and you might draw them in. One sitter we had in Tulsa created a “Cake Decorating” contest. She drew the cakes and the kids drew on the decorations. Boys might prefer a monster decorating contest. Holiday craft projects are great and you can find lots of free ideas online. And always remember Presentation! Leave the projects out on the counter and tell the family about them when they get home. Evie did at least one project everytime she was here and then would point out things like how great Ryan’s circles were or how many colors Erin chose for her drawing. Puppets are an easy favorite. Take old socks or brown paper sacks and you can make a project and put on a show.
Be unique: Kids love new things – a few ideas: make forts out of blankets and chairs. Read books by flashlight in the closet or your ‘tent.’ Flashlights and things in the dark are always a hit. Read a story and then act it out in a play. Scavenger hunts are always a big hit. We have a simple scavenger hunt we use each Xmas. Basically it is just Xmas icons we print out in various sizes and tape up around the house. The kids each get a sheet with the icons printed on it and they check them off as they find them. This is great because even very small kids can play. For bigger kids, you can print the icons smaller or hide them in more difficult spots. Digital cameras are also great fun for kids and you can create a photo scavenger hunt or just take lots of pictures of them acting goofy. Printing photos is not necessary but if you get great shots you could offer to email them to the parents later.
Read: Reading is important and even if it’s just a short story. This is good for kids and great for parents. Consider picking up funny magazines or story books from the library. Always consider the age and gender of the kids though. The Fun Time sheets have a place for “Today’s Reading” so you can note that down.
Tailor activities to the kids: For toddlers, practicing colors, numbers, and letters will be appreciated. Bigger kids might practice reading or if they’re in activities, have them show you what they do and tell the parents about it later (Tae Kwon do, piano, ballet, etc).

Clean up and exit: Always leave time to clean-up and fill in your Fun Time Sheets. You want to clean-up as you go but then make sure it’s all pretty much straightened up at least 30 minutes before you expect them home. Frequently families will come home early, so plan accordingly. Clean up all meal items and any toys you got out. If the family gets home before you’re done or before you have time to clean-up, do it after they get there. It is not necessary to run right out the door and it’s good to finish what you started. Always exit on a positive note. Tell the family about what you did and what you enjoyed about their kids. Point out things you did and what the kids liked best.