HOW TO FIND A RELIABLE BABYSITTER
Date night is good for the whole family, and the University of Lincoln found that, even when all other factors are removed, couples who regularly go out together are more likely to stay together. But child care is a full-time job, and it doesn’t leave much room for romantic moonlit strolls. Having a great babysitter will free up your schedule for some much-needed couple time. But how do you find a sitter you can trust? These tips and resources will help you find a sitter your whole family will feel comfortable with. SEEK OUT PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS When you’re looking for a high-trust service like babysitting, it’s often best to ask friends and family for recommendations. This is especially true if you know people whose children are a similar age as your own. Be sure to ask questions about the referrals you receive and make sure your potential sitter will be a good fit for your family’s needs. TURN TO TRUSTED LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS Colleges, neighborhoods, and places of worship often maintain lists of reliable sitters within the community. Asking members of these groups for testimonials will help you gauge a candidate’s professionalism. Kindergartens and day care centers are another great local resource to turn to. Often, teachers and assistants will moonlight as sitters, bringing with them a host of child care skills. SURF THE WEB There are great web-based resources for finding babysitters. Make sure the sites you visit are properly accredited and have plenty of good reviews. Most national sites do a full background check on all of their listed sitters. These almost always charge a membership fee, but many parents feel that added layer of security is worth it. CONDUCT INTERVIEWS Ultimately, the only way you can know if a candidate is the right babysitter for you is to meet them yourself. Make sure the whole family is present; you’ll want to pay attention to how your potential sitter interacts with your kids during the interview. Ask questions specific to your family’s needs and keep the needs of the sitter in mind, as well. Finding a babysitter who can give you and your partner peace of mind is essential. Thankfully, there’s a wealth of local and web-based resources you can pull from. With a little inquiring, you’ll be able to leave home knowing your children are in great hands.
It’s been almost two years since I walked through the doors of Daphne Fit Body Boot Camp. And I still remember saying to myself, “What was I thinking? I can’t do this. I’m not in shape,” and, “I don’t have time for this; I’m a mother of three young children and I have a full-time job.” Yes, I had all the excuses. But I had also hit that point — you know, when your favorite jeans no longer fit — where I knew I needed and wanted to make positive changes in my life for myself and for my family. So, I not only came in for a class, I went all-in, with jittery nerves and everything. I signed up for an eight-week challenge, and I’ve never looked back. Even after the first week, when I was so sore that I found muscles I didn’t even know I had, I was completely hooked. I was not a fitness person. I hadn’t done any consistent workouts since college. And I can’t say there is any one thing that makes DFBBC more than “just a gym,” because it’s the whole package. The encouragement and support I received from the very first class made me want to come back day after day. Challenging, yes, but so much fun! The amazing staff and coaches pushed me to reach the goals they knew I had. Plus, I was getting constant motivation from all the awesome members. Family is the best way to describe the people and atmosphere at DFBBC. You love them and occasionally dislike them, like when you are getting so sore you can’t move, but you never want to leave them. Once I started seeing results, I was no longer searching for time to go to the gym. I was making the time. My results started with an increased energy level — more mobility and endurance to help me push myself. With the challenges, I learned so much about nutrition and making this a lifestyle. Once I started incorporating my new nutritional habits with the workouts, my transformation became noticeable on the outside as well. It is the best feeling when those clothes become looser and, before you know it, you are dropping sizes. I look forward to seeing many new faces at DFBBC. It has been one of the best decisions of my life! Lindsey Ankersen’s Fit Body Boot Camp Experience
-Lindsey Ankersen
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