Alex's Lemonade Stand

I will never forget the day my first grade teacher came into the classroom with tears in her eyes, a photo in her hand, and her heart broken in half. She told us all to get into a circle and she passed around a photo of a hairless, fair skinned, child. I was only six-years-old, so it was hard to comprehend what was going on. She told us this little boy, who was a previous student of hers, had just passed away from childhood cancer. Although I didn't exactly know what cancer was, I knew it was bad, so bad that a CHILD had to die from it.

This powerful memory has stuck with me for the last 18 years of my life and that is one of the reasons why I decided to become a member of The Lemon Society.

The Lemon Society Philadelphia Chapter, is a group of young adults who are passionate about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), raising money and increasing awareness for childhood cancer.

"When Alex, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday, was four, she told her parents she wanted to set up a front-yard lemonade stand. Her plan: to give the money to doctors to help them find a cure. Her first "Alex’s Lemonade Stand" raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the remarkable girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands—donating the proceeds to her cause."

Unfortunately Alex passed away in 2004, when she was only eight years old. However, her passion to find a cure for cancer still lives on. This story has not only touched me, but has inspired me as well. I have a blessed life and I am extremely thankful for my health. I hope that we can come together, and raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand. Every child deserves to live a healthy life!

My lemonade stand will be held on July 9, 2011 from 11am-4pm at Everhart Park in West Chester, PA.

If you are also enthusiastic about this cause and are in the Philadelphia area, you can either volunteer or come check out the stand. If you are not in the area you can Click Here to make a donation.

Please remember no donation is too little, Every PENNY counts!

Thank you and much love,
Elyssa

Elyssa's Story

HAPPY JUNE!! Do you know what this means?  The Babysitting Company - Philadelphia is officially open for business!  I am thrilled and honored to be helping Rachel with this branch.

Who am I anyway?  My name is Elyssa Sobel and I was born and raised in the suburbs of Philly, went to college in the suburbs of Philly and right after college I worked at a radio station in Philly.  When I was 22-years-old, I decided I had too much Philly and it was time to branch out, so I packed my bags, and moved to Miami!

When I learned about TBC I was absolutely thrilled! I have been babysitting since I was 12-years-old (I started as a mother's helper), worked at camps, worked in a day care, and I felt as though I have seen it all...as far as babysitting goes.  I knew this job was perfect for me, and that it would help me get settled and feel comfortable in Miami.

You know how they say when one door closes another one opens?  Yea? Well, that certainly rang true with me.  For personal reasons, I decided it was time to call Miami quits and move back to Newtown, PA.  This is how  TBC- Philly has come to be!

I am really excited for my role as Regional Director and happy to see TBC growing!

Although my primary attention is focused in the Northeast, I am always here for any babysitters, clients, business partners, friends, family...anyone who loves TBC is a friend of mine!

I look forward to speaking with you!

Love,
Elyssa

Sitter of the Month - May

Rebecca Brave is sitter of the month for May for many reasons! She has been with the company for almost 3 years and virtually accepts every assignment. Rachel chose SOM for May based on whoever completed the most assignments and Rebecca wins with 27 jobs for the month of May! Congratulations Rebecca!

"My name is Rebecca Brave and I was born and raised in South Florida. I

am currently a student at the University of Miami (UM), where I am

majoring in nursing and on the pre-medical track. My immediate plan

following commencement from UM is to work in a hospital as a nurse

anesthetist. Currently, my interests include spending time with my family

(I am the oldest of three children, I have a younger brother and sister),

reading, playing sports, and volunteering. I love working with infants,

toddlers and children. In the past, I have tutored and mentored children at

local elementary and middle schools. Each week, I volunteer at Miami

Children’s Hospital and teach Sunday School to 3 and 4 year olds. I

consider myself to be very bubbly, energetic, flexible, humorous, and

always up for an adventure or challenge"

Rebecca's experience with TBC:
"One of the most memorable experiences that I've had with The Babysitting Company was spending an entire day with two little girls who were visiting for a vacation. From the moment I entered the room, their excitement was intoxicating, especially when they realized that I came bearing toys and activities. I spent the day swimming with them, being the fairy godmother in an enchanted land while they were the princesses that needed to be rescued, and making cards and gifts for their mom's birthday, which was the next day. Although I left after they fell asleep, their parents were so thankful to have a day to themselves and to know that their daughters were enjoying themselves. And I felt great knowing that I helped make it possible."

Splish Splash, Summer Safety!

The last two weeks have been insane and hectic for me. I packed up all my belongings, and somehow managed to fit it all into my tiny car. Now I'm in Philadelphia and ready to start the next chapter: The Babysitting Company Philadelphia!!!! Spread the word!

This time of year, it doesn't matter where you are, it is HOT! Children are very sensitive to the sun and heat so I want to go over, and refresh your memories with some summer safety tips.

1) Drink plenty of water: I know you know this, but it's very important. Babies under the age of one get dehydrated the easiest, and this can lead to death. They should drink three cups of water each day. 

AGE	CUPS OF WATER
1-3	5
4-13	7-10
14+	11-15

*Please note that amount of water intake depends on size and gender of the person.  Also, the more active the child is, the more water they should drink.

2) Sunscreen: The Environmental Working Group recently put out their top sunscreen choices.  Please check them out at Best Sunscreens. When swimming, it is best for the children to wear long bathing suits, or swim shirts, a hat is also important too.  If this cannot be achieved, then make sure you put sunscreen on everywhere. Especially in kids with lighter hair, make sure you get their hair too. 

-Babies under the age of six months should not wear sunscreen.  Please keep infants in the shade and avoid going outside during the sunniest and hottest hours of the day.

-Do not forget to reapply sunscreen often.

-Even if it’s a cloudy day, sunscreen is a must

3) Pool Safety: It is important to watch the children like a hawk, but it is even more important to keep your eyes on the kids at all times when they are in or near a pool.

          -Learn where safety equipment is before the parents leave and keep a phone nearby.

          - The article Keep kids safe in, around the water from htrnews.com states, “Each year, more than 3,400 people drown in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and more than one in five fatal drowning victims are children younger than 14.”

All this summer talk is making me thirsty, how about you?!  Please be safe in the summer sun, and if the child is bright red and sweaty, maybe it is time to switch activities.  If you are alert, focused, and aware, everything should be just fine.

Enjoy your summer!

Elyssa and The Babysitting Company

How to Soothe A Crying Baby

It’s 11pm Friday night, the parents left hours ago, and do not plan to return any time soon.  You’re nice and comfortable on the couch, in a comfortable hotel room overlooking the ocean, reading your brand new book.  Then, all of a sudden.... the baby starts to cry.

So, you get up and gently rock him for a while....doesn’t work. Feed him, burp him, change his diaper, everything is failing and you start to panic.  Please do NOT panic, the baby can sense that and it only makes matters worse. Unfortunately, there could be dozens of reasons why the baby is crying, you’re not his mother, nor are you a mind reader. 

Here are the top 5 ways to soothe a crying baby (according to me):
1) Look around the room, if you see a pacifier or a stuffed animal, try giving that to the baby.  These are comfort items that lets the baby know everything is okay, and makes him feel secure. 

2) Swaddle the baby.  Wrap him up in his light blanket nice and secure.  Often newborns like to be bundled up.  I can’t blame them, that’s how they were positioned for the last nine months.

3) Sing to the baby and rock him.  My personal favorite: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. When you are walking and rocking the baby, try a change of scenery. Move into another low lit room or even stand by the window and open it for a little fresh air.

4) If you’re like me, and the singing might make the baby cry more, see if you can find some soothing music to play.  Mozart, opera, or white noises work well.

5) If the baby is teething, you can give him a teething ring and that will soothe the pain.

If all else fails, text or call the parents very calmly.  Let them know the baby woke up, and he’s fine but ask if they have any tips for you to calm him down.  Mommy and Daddy know best!

Love,
Elyssa and TBC!

Annie's Experience with TBC

"Working with The Babysitting Company has been a wonderful experience from the start. I had the most fun working with a family earlier today. While on a job, I usually spend the most time with the child/children of a client. Today was different; I spent the day with two amazing little boys and their whole family. We had a great time; in the pool, playing games, dancing, watching a puppet show and sharing stories. I am happy to be working with The Babysitting Company, especially because I have the chance to meet many wonderful people!" -Annie Benjamin

SOM for April

Rolanda Desir is the Sitter of the Month for April. In Rolanda's application she wrote that if she was accepted as a babysitter for The Babysitting Company we would be able to count on her for anything. Well that is really an understatement. Rolanda is someone that can be counted on for EVERYTHING, really! Day or night, near or far, she goes out of her way to accommodate her clients. Rolanda is most deserving as Sitter of the month for April!


"I am currently registered at FIU, my major is nursing. I also have medical assistant certificate and Emergency Medical Technician Certificate. I am interested in working with The Babysitting Company because I love children and I am always glad working with them. I consider myself willing to learn, punctual, serious and confident in my job." - Rolanda