Thought Back on Track
‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Entertains a New Generation
Say Hello to Your Friends Again
Many modern parents grew up with “The Baby-Sitters Club,” Ann M. Martin’s beloved middle-grade book series that debuted in 1986. The novels were an instant sensation, capturing the imaginations of 8- to 14-year-olds until publishing ended in 2020. Since debuting, they spawned a 1990 television series, a 1995 movie, and endless nostalgia. And with Netflix’s 2020 reboot of the series, you can live it all over again — this time, as a family. “The Baby-Sitters Club” on Netflix garnered positive critical reviews, excitement from old fans, and interest from current tweens. The creators updated their two-season series for modern times while maintaining the beloved friendships and scenarios that made the original series so popular. And unlike most teen television programs, Netflix cast actors the same ages as their characters, making them more relatable for viewers.
For the uninitiated, “The Baby-Sitters Club” follows the wholesome exploits of several 12-year-old girls who decide to make extra money babysitting. Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, Stacey McGill, and Dawn Schafer always have each other’s backs despite their sometimes conflicting personalities. Though babysitting plays a crucial role in the series, the main focus is on the relationships between the sitters. The television series is and isn’t the same one parents initially loved. The Netflix version includes plenty of nods to ’90s nostalgia; Alicia Silverstone plays Kristy’s mom, and the club members use a “retro” landline telephone for their business. But there’s also lots of fresh material for those meeting the babysitters for the first time.
additional nuance to the stories. Similarly, the characters’ fashion is familiar yet updated for today’s looks. The series is also set in the here and now, with cellphones, social media, and more. This adaptation keeps old and new fans in mind and works hard to please them both. Unfortunately, Netflix canceled “The Baby-Sitters Club” after two seasons, but all 18 episodes remain on the streaming service. In a time when most media targets niche audiences, this series is something the entire family can enjoy and discuss together. You might even consider reading the books alongside the episodes and sharing which version you prefer. Ultimately, “The Baby-Sitters Club” is more than a blast from the past, but a way for generations to bond over beloved characters and stories.
The episodes take titles and basic plot points from the original novels but add
EVOLVING NEEDS, UPDATED PLANS
Estate Planning for Life’s Milestones
If you read our cover article, you learned how the definition of independence changes as we age and reach new milestones in our lives. These milestones also give us the best opportunities to update our estate plans. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common milestones and the estate planning updates you’ll need to make to keep you and your family covered. Reaching Adulthood You’re finally 18, which means you have much more freedom than ever before. The government now considers you an adult, restricting your parents or guardians from accessing critical information in the future. Anyone who reaches 18 should have a durable power of attorney and an advance directive with a health care proxy. These documents authorize parents to make medical decisions and manage financial affairs if their 18-year-old child becomes incapacitated or unable to make decisions. Getting Married and Having a Family Your wedding day is likely one of the happiest days of your life. Oftentimes, your spouse becomes the most important person in your life. After your wedding,
consider changing your primary decision maker to your spouse so they can make medical and financial decisions for you if needed. You should also prepare or update your last will and testament to your spouse and children so they receive your assets if you pass away. This is an excellent time to update your beneficiary designations as well. If you get divorced, you should review all these documents to ensure everything is how you want it. Retirement You’ve retired from work and are now looking toward your golden years. With time, you’ll need your children’s help more and more often. Now is the best time to look over your estate planning documents to ensure everything is in order. Set up strong powers of attorney and advance directives with health care proxies, review your last will and testament and other estate planning documents, and create a plan to protect your assets from the cost of long-term medical care. You should update your estate plan every five years or as you hit various milestones. If you need help with your estate plan, give us a call today!
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