Thanksgiving Weekend Special!

We are all very thankful for our families and the little one's who brighten up our lives every day.  BUT, there is a place and a time to cherish these people and special moments.  Holiday shopping and parties are NOT one of them.  This Thanksgiving catch something (and not the flu) that you don't want to miss! 


Purchase your 6-month OR 1-year TBC Membership for 50% off!!  The 6-month membership will be reduced to $100 and the 1-year will be reduced to $200.


No need to worry about your babysitter cancelling, finding a sitter last minute, and you can skip the interviewing process.  We will match a babysitter to your families needs who is CPR certified, background checked, personally interviewed, reference checked, and drug tested.


What a TBC Membership includes:

•Hourly savings

• Three-hour minimum instead of a four-hour minimum

• $25 discount on last-minute bookings

• 10% discounted membership renewal

This purchase can be purchased November 25th- 27th ONLY, so don't miss out! Check us out at www.thebabysittingcompany.com for the full scoop and e-mail Rachel@thebabysittingcompany.com or Elyssa@thebabysittingcompany.com to purchase or if you have any questions at all. 


Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I tried to find a good Thanksgiving joke to start out this blog. However, they were all too incredibly corny, even for me! So let's start this one off with what we are thankful for this year (from those who responded to my facebook status). Genevieve, age 8, claims she is thankful that her father doesn't like country music. However, I have a feeling someone else said these words (cough, cough Genevieve's father)! I am thankful that Genevieve's father does not like country music, because I was able to use his pre-sale code to purchase my Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw tickets early! Brady, age 9, told his mother that he is thankful that I (Elyssa) take care of him!! How sweet is that?!

Jake, age 4, told us he is thankful for America! Oh the naive innocence of children, just joking! America IS something to be thankful for, Jake! Ann, age (won't say), responded that she is thankful for her healthy, beautiful, and smart children. She has to say this, that's my mom! Bryce, age 5 told his mother that he is thankful for his Mom-mom and Daddy, but failed to mention her. I think she was a little offended. What are you thankful for? Please share!

As a child, I was a very picky eater (kinda wish I still was) and never looked forward to Thanksgiving the way other people did. So if your child is a mac n' cheese, chicken finger type of kid too, here are some great recipes from www.parenting.com you can try!

Dinner: Turkey Nuggets

Side Dish 1: Kid-Friendly Mashed Potato Scoops (let me know how these are)

Side Dish 2: Apple Stuffing

Dessert: Muffins

Now, on to my favorite portion of the holiday blogs, the arts and crafts! I think we all know how to make a paper chain by now. With rectangular pieces of construction paper, roll them into a circle, and loop them together. Eventually creating a long chain to hang on your walls, banisters, doors, etc. for decoration. BUT, for Thanksgiving, you and the children will write on each loop what you are thankful for, creating a thankful chain!

And of course, there is always the turkey hand. Trace your child's hand, making the thumb the head of the turkey, and the other fingers the feathers. If your feeling a little more creative and artsy check out some of these Thanksgiving Crafts from Kaboose. 

Now seriously, what are your plans for Black Friday? Personally, I'm intimidated by this day. However, to get the best out of this once-a-year shopping spree, I suggest that you leave the children at home (especially if you're shopping for them)! Whether you start your shopping at midnight or at noon, let The Babysitting Company know and we will be there!

I hope you all have a very happy, festive, delicious and special Thanksgiving this year!

Love,
Elyssa and The Babysitting Company

How Should The Babysitter Discipline Children?

**TBC never uses physical discipline.

"What are your weaknesses?" The dreaded interview question, that I didn't even prepare myself for when I applied to the daycare six years ago. However, I didn't hesitate to answer, "I have no idea how to discipline children!" I knew, from babysitting since I was 12-years-old, that the time-out method was effective. But what if the children never heard of time-out? Some parents have told me I just need to stand my ground and make sure they don't walk all over me. How do I do that? I can't yell at your child!

Julie Pron from Just Precious told us, "I recommend that they [babysitters]separate the kids when they are misbehaving. Most of the time, they misbehave when they're interacting with each other. They always have a choice, sit on different couches for a bit, away from each other, or go rest in their rooms."

Check out this post from Smartbabysitting.com How Smart Babysitters Discipline Children.  It states, "The behavior that receives the most attention, is the behavior that will happen the most." I once had an 11-year-old girl tell me to stop reacting to her 8-year-old brothers acting out, because he liked it. You know what, she was right. Once I stopped giving him the attention he stopped misbehaving.

Geri Fisher told us, "I want the babysitters to be firm and not be a "pushover" and not to get taken advantage of. They should be positive toward the kids and consistent." Nobody wants to be the mean babysitter.  Meanwhile, parents want their children to like their babysitter, so they can enjoy their time out.  I think Geri is right, staying positive is very important.

So whether you use a time out, reward good behavior, or take the older siblings advice, there IS something you can do as a babysitter to discipline the children.

So now, parents we want to know what you suggest your babysitters doing when the children misbehave? And babysitters, do you have any techniques that work well for you?

TBC Philly: November Interviews

Upcoming Interviews:

November 12Fieldhouse Wellness Center -
255 Great Valley Parkway #140
Malvern, PA 19355
10am: Interview/Information Session
11am-1pm: CPR Class 

November 14
Starbucks- 100 S. State Street, Newtown (Bucks County)
4pm-7pm

November 16
Starbucks- 4040 City Avenue, Philadelphia
The Starbucks is ON City Avenue, between California Pizza Kitchen and Pei Wei, BEHIND target. The parking garage is FREE.
4pm-6pm

November 22
Starbucks- 4040 City Avenue, Philadelphia
The Starbucks is ON City Avenue, between California Pizza Kitchen and Pei Wei, BEHIND target. The parking garage is FREE.
10am-12pm
November 27
Starbucks- 1301 Chestnut Street, Center City (Philadelphia)
11am-2pm
November 28
Panera- 1115 West Chester Pike (West Chester)
12pm-2:30pm

November 30
Starbucks- 4040 City Avenue, Philadelphia PA
The Starbucks is ON City Avenue, between California Pizza Kitchen and Pei Wei, BEHIND target. The parking garage is FREE.
1pm-4pm

December 1
Starbucks- 100 S. State Street, Newtown (Bucks County)
9am-12pm

*The interviews run every 30 minutes, so you can pick your time slot

*Check out Interview FAQ's

*If you sign up for a time slot and cannot attend please let me know ASAP. It is not fair to me, or someone else who wants the time slot.
*Some of these times are flexible (give or take 1 hour), so just ask.

*There will be less interviews starting in December (about one per month) so please try to attend one in November. Also, if you have any friends that are thinking about joining please let them know as well.

*If you cannot attend any of these dates, we can try to figure something out, please do not hesitate to contact me.As always, if you have any questions you can call or email me at anytime. Thank you and I look forward to meeting you!

Information/CPR Class for TBC Philly

If you have not been interviewed and/or you are not CPR certified, you do NOT want to miss this event!


What: Interview/Information Group Session followed by a CPR class (and snacks and refreshments)


When:Saturday, November 12, 2011


Schedule:

10:00am: Information Session

This is a great chance for me to get to know you, and you to know more about The Babysitting Company.  This is also a fantastic opportunity to ask any questions you may have. In addition, a chance to hear what others have to say/ask that you might not have thought of.  ** You do not need to attend this if we have already met for an interview.  However, if you want to learn more about the company you are more than welcome to join.

11:00am: CPR Class

Get trained in adult, child, and infant CPR and obstructed airway.  Also learn the use of an AED.  The certification will last you 2 years.

-The cost is $35, please pay by check or cash AT the event.

-Space is very limited for the CPR class and is on a first come, first serve basis.  If you sign up, and cannot attend, PLEASE let me know ASAP, so someone else can have your place.  The class will last about 2 hours.

-Please feel free to bring a guest, but they must RSVP beforehand.

-Check out Interview FAQ's for all the details.


Where: Fieldhouse Wellness Center, 255 Great Valley Parkway #140
Malvern, PA 19355

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the event!

Stop, Drop, and Roll!

When we were young, we were told to "stop, drop, and roll" if there was a fire. In 2011, there is much more we can do to prepare ourselves, our homes, and families if there is a fire (and I don't mean shorty's burning on the dance floor kind of fire). Since October is Fire Prevention Month, please take a few minutes to read over this blog, and teach your child(ren) about fire safety.

The National Fire Protection Association stated, "It is truly ironic that where people feel safest, in their homes, is where the majority of fire deaths occur. Consider this; US fire departments responded to an estimated 362,500 home structure fires in 2009. These fires caused:

-2,565 civilian fire deaths
-12,600 civilian fire injuries
-$7.6 billion in direct damage

Roughly 85% of all civilian fire deaths in 2009 resulted from home structure fires. Nationwide, once every three hours someone is fatally injured in a home fire."

There are several activities you can do with your family to make sure your home and all of your family members are prepared in case a fire does occur.

1) With your child(ren) go through this checklist and make sure your house is safe! This is a great activity for children, it's educational, and you are protecting everyone from a potential fire.

2) Read to your children and let them ask you questions about fire safety. Check out this list of recommended books from apples4theteacher. This will comfort your child to know their favorite story-book characters have survived a fire.

3) Have a fire escape plan and practice it!
                -Try to have 2 escape plans for each room

4)Teach children about smoke detectors. Why we use them and the sound they will make if there is a fire. Adults should change batteries regularly!

5)Take this survey with your kids, to teach them all about fire safety.

6)Instruct your kids not to panic if their clothes catch on fire and to stop, drop and roll.

7)Does all this work make you hungry? Stay in theme and make this yummy fire truck treat with your child(ren).
8)Own and practice using escape ladders. Store them near second floor windows.

9) Have a fire drill. Blind fold your child(ren) to ensure they can escape in the dark (obviously this is practice so be careful). Practice leaving from different rooms in the house. Have a designated meeting place for everyone to go once they are outside the home.

10) It is important that no one touches a door if there is a fire. If you need to touch the door or anything else, grab a towel to avoid burns. Also use the towels for covering your mouth when exiting the home.

11) Make sure your child(ren) know that once they are out of the house, they must go to the designated place and never go back inside the home. Kids might realize that a family member, pet, or a personal belonging is still inside. Let them know, the fire fighter will take care of everything and that it is very dangerous to go back in.

12) In case your child is separated from you, or is ever lost have them keep one of these information cards on them at all times.
There is so much more that we can do than stop, drop, and roll to protect oursevles from fire.  What else do you do with your family to observe Fire Prevention Month? We would love to hear!

Trick or Treat!

Halloween may not be the most important holiday, but it sure is a great one! This is a chance for children to express themselves, be creative, and bond with their family!

There's only one time of year when adults and kids alike, can dress as anyone or anything they want (well...almost anything). Let your child(ren) come up with their own costume and HOW to put it together. It is SO easy to save money and not spend ridiculous amounts on a Halloween costume. Costumes for children and adults can be $100 per costume! If you have 3 kids that's $300! It is so easy to create your own costume with clothes you already have, props, etc. Seriously, if you need any help with a costume let me know. If your child has an idea, I can almost guarantee you there is a way to put the costume together for under $15! Some children costume ideas are: ladybug, princess, fairy, fireman, cat, dog, cheerleader, bride, bumblebee, super hero, hula dancer, cowboy/girl, hippy, flapper, and so much more! You can always make any of these costumes spooky with some face paint and fake blood.

There are so many activities you can do with the children this time of year. You can be artistic, creative, playful, and decorate the house together as a family. Decorate your house with: lollipop ghosts, cotton ball spider webs, and PUMPKINS!, I made my first jack-o'-lantern last year, I think I was deprived as a kid, this is a definite must. There is no need to waste any part of the pumpkin,  you can season and bake the pumpkin seeds, for a yummy fall snack. Make bats out of styrofoam and pipe cleaners. Use poster board, paint, and glitter, to make a spooky Halloween sign or a grave yard in your front lawn. Other fun Halloween activities to look forward to this month include: hayride, haunted hayride, pumpkin picking,  haunted houses. You can even make your own spooky house and invite friends over for a scare. If the kids are old enough let them be the actors, you can use strobe lights, and all of your great decorations.
What is your favorite Halloween tradition, costume, snack, and activity? We can't wait to hear from you! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

"Ahhh what did you do to me??" - My first Jack-O'-Lantern!