Child Care Scoop

Top 5 Classic Children's TV Shows and their 2008 Reincarnations

So many of today’s children’s shows are reminiscent of children’s shows from the past. Check out this list of classic shows and the new shows they inspired.

• Classic show: ZOOM. ZOOM aired on PBS between 1972 and 1978. A cast of seven kids performed and demonstrated songs, games, experiments, and recipes submitted by viewers. Viewers of the original series can probably still speak Ubbi-Dubbi, a Pig Latin-esque language occasionally spoken on the show, and remember the Zoom mailing address’ Boston zip code, 02134, which the ZOOMers sang in every episode.

• Today’s reincarnation: Fetch with Ruff Ruffman. Sure, ZOOM was brought back to life between 1999 and 2005, but Fetch gives the ZOOM premise a much-needed game show twist. A cast of six real life kids compete in challenges given by Ruff Ruffman, an animated dog. The challenges range from dancing and yoga to cooking and science experiments.

• Classic show: Jem. This animated series ran from 1985 to 1988. The show's heroine, Jerrica Benton, led a double life, moonlighting as Jem, lead singer of an all-girl rock band called the Holograms.

• Today’s reincarnation: Hannah Montana. This live action Disney series premiered in 2006 and stars Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart, an average teenager by day and a rock star named Hannah Montana by night. Strangely, this modern day Jem is comparatively low tech: Jerrica required the help of a holographic computer named Synergy in order to make her transformation to rock star while Miley requires only a blonde wig.

• Classic show: Clarissa Explains It All. This show ran on Nickelodeon from 1991 to 1994 and starred Melissa Joan Hart, who later went on to become Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Clarissa was a typical preteen dealing with typical preteen angst over boys, zits, and sibling rivalry. She frequently broke the fourth wall (addressed the audience) to explain her situation.

• Today’s reincarnation: Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide. This show ran on Nickelodeon between 2003 and 2007 and followed Ned Bigby and his friends as then navigated middle school. Ned frequently broke the fourth wall to give tips and advice to the audience.

• Classic show: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This show ran from 1993 to 1995 and originally featured 5 rangers, teenagers who had been given the power to morph into superheroes and summon giant robots in order to protect the fictional town of Angel Grove.

• Today’s reincarnation: Power Rangers: Jungle Fury. The Power Rangers have been reincarnated continuously since 1993: Time Force, Wild Force, Ninja Storm, Dino Thunder, etc. The current version, Jungle Fury, features only three teenage rangers who work at a pizza parlor and moonlight as superheroes.

• Classic show: Sesame Street. This show premiered in 1969 and combined live action, muppet, and animated segments to teach kids their ABCs and 123s.

• Today’s reincarnation: Sesame Street. This show is irreplaceable—it’s the longest running children’s program on TV. Adults will be happy to find that many of their favorite characters are still around and that many of their favorite celebrities drop by to sing songs and hang out with Elmo.

Got a favorite children’s TV show? Whether it was a show you watched when you were little or a show you watch when you’re babysitting, let us know by leaving a comment below!

Top 5 Children's Albums that Babysitters Can Enjoy!

Lucky for you children’s music is no longer the sappy stuff you may recall from your own childhood. Here are some children’s albums that amuse kids and babysitters alike. These tunes are catchy, funny, and sometimes just plain kooky! Got a favorite to share with us? Post a comment to let us know.

1. Alphabutt by Kimya Dawson – Indie/folk singer/songwriter Kimya Dawson achieved mainstream popularity this year when six of her songs were featured on the Juno soundtrack. Alphabutt, her first children’s album, explores childhood milestones in tracks like “Wiggle My Tooth” and “Pee-Pee in the Potty.”
2. No! by They Might be Giants – They Might be Giants have been making nerdy alternative rock music since 1982. No!, their first children’s album, was released in 2002 and features silly songs like “Four of Two” (about a broken clock that always reads 1:56) and “Bed Bed Bed” (a lullaby loud and catchy enough to keep you up all night).
3. Here Come the ABCs and Here Come the 123s by They Might be Giants – These albums are TMBG’s 2nd and 3rd children’s albums, respectively, and explain everything from vowels to the number zero.
4. Napper’s Delight by Dean Jones – Dean Jones is a member of Children’s music trio Dog on Fleas (whose first album was the hilariously named Fairly Good Songs for Fairly Good Kids). Napper’s Delight (another funny album title) is Dean’s recent solo album of lullabies.
5. Baby Beluga by Raffi – Every child of the eighties is familiar with this classic. Indulge in nostalgia by introducing it to a new generation of kids.

Bonus: 2 Guilty Pleasures – Children's music you love to hate:

1. Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus – Say what you will about Miley’s Vanity Fair photo shoot and her 20-year-old underwear model boyfriend, but “See You Again,” the first track on the second CD of this two-disc set, is undeniably catchy. Don’t lie: you love it.
2. High School Musical Soundtrack – Say what you will about Vanessa Anne Hudgens’ naughty photos and Ashley Tisdale’s nose job—this CD is cheesy and fun.

And, hey--don't forget music by Weird Al (for older kids--they will get the jokes about Ebay, etc)!  Post a comment to tell us about the jammin' music you rock to with the kiddies.

Top 10 Party Games for Kids (and Adults too)!

Don't play games about playing games...this is serious stuff and you need to be prepared! If you’re babysitting for a big group or helping out at a birthday party, you need an arsenal of party games for having fun on the spot. Check out the classic games listed below for kids and families to play together. Post a comment to tell us about the games that help you party-on! Did you invent a new game?  Even better!  Tell us about it.

Little Kid Classics:

• Duck Duck Goose - Have the kids sit in a circle. One child is “it” and walks around the circle tapping each of the other kids on the head, calling them “duck” until he picks one child to be the goose. The goose chases and tries to tag “it” while “it” tries to run around the circle and return to the spot where the goose had been sitting. If the goose is unable to tag “it” then the goose becomes the new “it.”
• Musical Chairs - Arrange chairs in a circle facing outward—there should be one less chair than there are children. The kids walk around the circle while the music plays, but when the music stops they must all sit down. The child without a chair is out. Remove a chair each round until only one chair and one child remain.
• Pass the Parcel - Wrap a gift in many, many layers of wrapping paper. Players sit in a circle and pass the parcel around while music plays. When the music stops whoever is holding the gift must remove a layer of wrapping paper. The game continues until someone removes the final layer.
• Simon Says - The kids must follow Simon’s instructions—Simon says touch your toes, Simon says jump up and down, etc.—but must NOT follow instructions NOT given by Simon.

Older Kid Games:

• Spud - Assign all the kids a secret number. Have one child throw a ball high into the air and yell a number. Whoever the number belongs to must catch the ball and yell “spud.” The other kids must all freeze. The child with the ball can then take four giant steps toward any frozen player and try to hit them with the ball. If a player is hit then he is given a letter—an S, P, U, or D. Players who receive all four letters are out.
• Tag - This game is a classic played all over the world. One child is “it” and must chase and try to tag the other children. In standard regular tag, whoever is tagged becomes the new “it,” but there are several more complex variations of the game. Freeze Tag - When someone is tagged they are frozen and can’t move until someone crawls through their legs and unfreezes them. Chain Tag - When “it” tags another child the two children join hands and become “it” together. Subsequent kids who are tagged are added to the chain. Sock Tag - Have kids take their shoes off so socks are accessible.  Kids get on their hands and knees and scoot around trying to pull each other's socks off.  Any child who loses both their socks is out.  Last kid with socks on is the winner.

Games for the Young and Old and In-between:

• Sardines - Similar to hide and seek, except only one person hides and everyone else seeks. Whenever a seeker discovers the hider, the seeker must join the hider in the hiding space. As more and more seekers discover the hider everyone must cram into the hiding space like sardines.
• How to Host a Murder - Buy a How to Host a Murder set—it includes everything you need to host a murder mystery party: invitations, suggestions for costumes, and clues.
• Telephone - Sit in a circle.  Designate a person to start the "telephone call."  This person thinks of a phrase or saying of a sentenence or two (or more) and whispers it into the ear of the person sitting on their right. That person must then whisper the phrase exactly as they heard it to the person on their right, and so on.  The last person to receive the message must say it out loud.  You'll be in for some very funny results. 
• The Name Game - Sit in a circle.  Designate one person to start the "naming."  The first person says their name and the names of the people sitting around them in a counter-clockwise order.  When they are done, the person to their right must say their own name, the names of everyone in the circle in order AND then add a new name.  It can be any name they chose. Continue around the circle and keep going.  The object is to remember as many names as possible, in order, and add a new one each time your turn comes around.  The winner is the last person left who doesn't make a mistake repeating each of the names in sequence.  See how long you can keep it going!

Hope you have as much fun with these games as we have! Don't forget to post a comment and tell us about your favorite party games.

Top 12 Homemade Halloween Costumes

Taking the neighborhood kids trick-or-treating?  Read the costume ideas below so you can help your kids look their best this Halloween.  Leave a comment with your own personal favorites!

Cardboard Box Costumes- For a kid who knows it’s hip to be square, simply cut head and arm holes out of a cubic cardboard box. Then help your kid paint and decorate the box to look like their favorite square appliance or toy. A few suggestions:

• TV- Use a poster of your kid’s favorite movie or TV show for the screen and bottle caps for the dials. For old school televisions, attach antennae to a headband.
• Washing Machine- Cut out a circle on the front face of the box and fill it with a clear plastic plate. Put some dirty laundry in there that can be seen through the window. Attach an empty detergent box and a few more pieces of dirty laundry to the top of the box to complete to look.
• Rubik's Cube- Divide each face of the box into six squares. Let your kid decide whether the puzzle will be solved or not.
• Pair of Dice- Got two kids who want to trick-or-treat together? How about dressing them as a pair of dice? Help them paint their boxes white and add black dots to each face.

Balloon Costumes

• Bunch of Grapes- This costume requires lots of either green or purple balloons and some string. Not ideal for trick-or-treaters who are afraid of loud noises or who plan on sitting down.
• Fruit of the Loom- Got three kids who want to dress as a group? Try green grapes, red grapes, and an apple.
• Bubble Bather- Use small white balloons for bubbles. Add a bathrobe or towel, a shower cap, and a rubber duck. You can even add an actual tub—cut the bottom out of a large plastic basin and add suspenders so that your kid can wear it around his or her waist.

Sandwich Board Costumes

• Alice in Wonderland-Style Playing Card- You’ll need two large pieces of cardboard and a kid with a flair for painting—particularly for face cards. Attach the back and front of the card with two pieces of string so that your kid can wear it over his or her shoulders.

Raid-Mom-and-Dad's-Closet Costumes

• Construction Worker- Dig up some old torn jeans and a flannel shirt. Add a tool belt and a hardhat from the local hardware store.
• Pirate- Find some old black pants and an old white button-down shirt that mom and dad won’t mind cutting up. Cut the legs and sleeves to give them a jagged fringe. Add an eye patch, a gold hoop earring, and a curly mustache.

Last Minute Classics

• Ghost- Cut eyeholes in an old sheet—you know the drill.
• Mummy- Use a few rolls of gauze or toilet paper or an old sheet torn into long strips and start wrapping.

Top 10 Board Games to Prevent Boredom

We all have our childhood favorites! Check out the best loved board games from the Care.com team—the topic inspired impassioned debate in the office. Leave a comment and let us know which games you loved as a child and which games you love (or hate) to play when babysitting!

Little Kid Classics:

1. Candy Land. This 1949 classic is still popular with the 3-and-up set. Steer clear of obstacles like Gloppy’s Molasses Swamp and beat your opponents to King Kandy’s Castle to win. This is probably the game most parents and sitters love to hate. I mean, really, how many times can you play Candy Land in one day?

2. Chutes and Ladders. This game originated in India and was introduced to the US in 1943. The game includes an element of morality: ladders are accompanied by illustrations of good deeds, while chutes are accompanied by illustrations of bad.

Older Kid Classics:

3. Balderdash. This 1984 game doesn’t actually require a board. The object of the game is to write phony definitions for obscure words and fool your friends. Similar but trashier is the 1991 game Tabloid Teasers in which players write phony tabloid headlines.

4. Cranium. This 1998 game has quickly become a classic over the past 10 years. It’s really several games in one: Pictionary meets Trivial Pursuit meets Charades. The original game is recommended for ages 13 and up, but there are several reincarnations aimed at a younger crowd. A cousin to this game (though from another company) is the new Ses-qui-pe-dal-ian. For "wordy" kids (12 and up) and their geeky wordsmith-ing elders, it’s wicked fun and a source of major hilarity.

5. Scrabble. A crossword game for ages 10 and up, Scrabble’s been around since 1948. Serious players memorize all the U-less Q words.

6. Stratego. Stratego is a 1947 war game recommended for ages 8 and up. Capture your opponent’s flag and protect your own to win.

7. Taboo. Another boardless game, Taboo was introduced in 1989 and is all about circumlocution. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

A few you might not have heard of:

8. The aMAZEing Labyrinth. This ever-changing maze game has been around since 1984. It’s made by Ravensburger, a German company whose games and puzzles feature distinctly detailed illustrations, and is recommended for ages 8 and up.

9. Racko. Racko is a 1956 card game for ages 8 and up. Swap numbered cards from your rack until your cards are in ascending order.

10. Read My Lips. The hearing-impaired have a distinct advantage in this 1990 game that requires reading your partner’s lips as he mouths words and phrases.

2 Bonus Classics for Kids and Adults:

• Sequence For almost 30 years Sequence and Sequence for Kids have ruled the living room floor! This game is strategic—even for the younger kids. Decide which cards to keep or throw down—block your opponents’ attempts to place 4 or more chips in a row.
• Sorry! Since 1934 this has been a family favorite. Families of colored pawns move around the board to reach their home base. But fate (from a deck of cards) can send you back to start or let you bonk an opponent off the board.

Top 5 Rude Babysitting/Parenting Comments and How to Deal!

Don't you hate it when total strangers comment on your babysitting or parenting style? They may think they’re being helpful, but they’re really just overstepping their bounds and making any already stressful situation worse.

Here are the top 5 rude comments strangers make about your parenting or babysitting style (read them and weep) and some tips on making a snappy comeback.

Got a rude comment that will haunt you forever? Or maybe the ultimate comeback that puts rude strangers in their place? Share them by posting a comment!

1. Can't you make him be quiet? Of course not. If I could he would be quiet and not screaming right now. This comment is usually made in places where silence is expected, like on a red-eye flight or in a church. Of course you’ve brought along every conceivable snack, toy, and book, but the child is 2 years old and noisy. If you can't vacate the premises for a calming stroll (like if you’re at 35,000 feet) you can do 1 of 2 things. You can be sheepishly honest and say, "I'm terribly sorry, I'm doing my best. He's just overtired, and so am I." Or, you can ask them for their “expert” opinion: "You must have handled many a screaming child, I'm sure. What do you suggest I do?" Either way, they should be disarmed.
2. My, what an interesting outfit he's wearing! “Interesting” is NOT a compliment. This is a criticism of the creative or mismatched thing your child is wearing that day. He might be wearing it because he picked it out himself or because it was the only thing that was clean. Regardless of the reason, the comment is meant to disparage your fashion sense and your parenting skills. The best comeback is to say enthusiastically, "Oh, I know...isn't he hilarious?"
3. How could you let your child eat/drink that? What they’re really asking is “What kind of person would poison a child with sugar/fat/salt?" Barring any major nutritional deficiencies or allergies, there's nothing wrong with allowing your child to have handful of Cheetos or a sip of soda. You usually hear this comment at the grocery store or some other public place where you might give your child something to eat/occupy himself so you can shop, pray, mail a letter, etc. An appropriate response is, "Wow. You must have had a terrible experience with Cheetos," and then returning to whatever task you're trying to accomplish.
4. When my child was 5, they could already... Don't you love this one? What? They could already do calculus? Cook a pot roast? Usually you hear this type of comment at large family gatherings or at kids' sporting events. What this rude stranger really means is that your child is less gifted/talented/accomplished than their child was at the same age. What can you do? It's really hard to have a snappy comeback at the ready, so you can just say, "That’s so cool! You must have been psyched when he did that for this first time!" Or, just smile and wink. They won't know what you mean, but they'll probably shut up.
5. If that were my child, I'd...This one really burns. It's a favorite amongst older folks and is usually heard at restaurants or airports when your child is having an out-of-body experience. At a restaurant, it's usually about table manners. Your child has thrown his napkin/fork/spoon under the table or has shoved his arm into a water glass to fish for ice cubes. All the while, you're just trying to take a few bites of dinner and scram. That's the moment when a perfectly coiffed older couple strolls by and says, "If that were my child, I'd never let him act like that..." The only thing you can do is to smirk and say, "I think this is a test," or compliment their parenting wisdom by saying, "Gosh, I know...could you help me reach his chew toy under there?" By that time, they will hopefully be out the door.

The point is that most rude comments are more a reflection on the person who makes them than on the person at whom they’re directed. Rise above it—wink, thank them, acknowledge the irony, chuckle, or just plain ignore. You know why your kids or the kids you're caring for are the best!

Tell us about any rude comments you've heard by posting a comment!

Naughty or Nice: Top 5 Tips for Keeping Kids in Control

Even the most doting parents know that no child is well-behaved and angelic all the time. Here a the top 5 tips on how to handle those moments when your babysitting charges are more naughty than nice! Have a tip on keeping kids in line that really works for you? Post a comment and let us know!

1. Know the house rules. Just because you’re the sitter and not the parent, doesn’t mean the kids can steamroll you! Make sure you talk to the parents about the house rules. Can the kids watch TV? Can they have snacks? Do they have chores? Homework? When’s bedtime? If it’s clear to the kids that you know the rules and plan to enforce them, they’ll be less likely to try and weasel out of them.
2. Know the kids. Kids respond to discipline in different ways. Ask the parents if there’s any particular behavior you should watch out for and what method of discipline is most effective for each child. Kids sometimes try to push the limit with a babysitter because they know they can. Keeping kids safe is the most important thing—letting bedtime slide a few minutes will probably only endear you to the kids, but allowing destructive behavior won’t benefit anybody.
3. Know when and how to lay down the law. Ask the parents which rules are hard and fast and which ones you can let slide. Ask how they’d like you to handle a broken rule. Do they advocate timeouts or withholding privileges like TV time or snacks? Or would they prefer you to just let them know about any bad behavior so they can handle it when they get home?
4. Know the parents. Some parents will just be pleased to see the house still standing and everyone in one piece, but others will want to know how their children behaved while you were in charge. Even if the parents don’t want a full rundown, always let them know of any accidents, or dangerous, destructive, or violent behavior
5. Know yourself. Do you know what sets you off or makes you freak out? Think about it. If letting the kids use you as a human punching bag will trigger your primal flight or flight response, then don’t let them do it. You’re in charge. Don’t want the kids hiding behind doors trying to scare the you-know-what out of you (something that for some reason all kids love to do), then be sure you deflate the situation before you have an anxiety attack. Kids will find your weak spots—no doubt about it. So, be ready—be fun—but be ready.

Have additional tips or a harrowing babysitting story about bad behavior? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Facebook and MySpace: Guess who's watching you?

Do you want the family you babysit for to "friend" you on Facebook or MySpace or read your blog? Well--they're doing it!  Some of you don't mind, but many of you do.  Big time.  Here are the top 5 reasons your employers are checking out your pages!

Tell us what you think about this sticky situation by posting a comment--and let it rip.  We know you want to!

1. Checking you out.  Your Facebook and MySpace profiles are out there on the web, so your employer is going to look.  For many people, it's as straightforward as checking references or reading your resume before hiring you.  For others, it's a not-so-private highway to your social sphere--and they're going there whether you like it or not.

2. They can't relate to your social networking. We'll, that's not your problem, but it's true.  The folks you work for don't necessarily know anything about Facebook and MySpace--just that they should be suspicious of it.  They probably don't understand the trend these days to share so much of our private lives in public.  It's all the "sharing" that might seem weird to them!

3. They're Facebook and MySpace junkies. For your employers that don't fit the above, the rest may fall into this category!  If they're junkies, you should expect them to pay you a visit online--after all, they play the social networking game for the same reasons you do--to talk to friends, share ideas, kvetch when needed, and find like-minded people to hang with!

4. Privacy?  What's that?  Many people think that if you put something on Facebook or MySpace, the information belongs to the public--whether you flag it as private or not.  It'd be great if you could count on people respecting your privacy, but you should keep in mind that no system of protection is perfect (and some people are very sneaky!). Do you have anything on your pages that could get you fired from your child care job?

5. Are you the "real" you? Facebook and MySpace can provide your employer with a reality check.  They want to know if what you've told them about yourself is consistent with what is on your pages.  Are you the person you seem to be when you're with their kids? Or, are you hiding something terrible? That said, smart folks wouldn't use your Facebook or MySpace profile as the last word on your character! We all know (or we should) that these pages are used for play as well as for serious talk.  But, tantalizing tidbits can create doubt where you really don't want any and especially where you didn't intend any!

Post a comment to rant or just tell us what you think about your employers checking out your Facebook and MySpace profiles!

Top 10 Fictional Babysitters of the 80s and 90s

In need of inspiration on the job? Try channeling one of these beloved fictional babysitters of yesteryear.

Vote for your favorite in the poll below. Don't see your favorite fictional babysitter listed? Leave a comment and let us know who you think should have made the top 10.

1. The Baby-sitters Club – When the Baby-sitters Club began in 1986 there were only four members: bossy Kristy, shy Mary Anne, artsy Claudia, and New Yorker Stacey. Four additional members, 131 books, and thirteen years later the girls still hadn’t graduated from eighth grade. Warning: These books contain 80s and 90s fashion described in vivid detail. The girls’ ensembles are enough to make you cringe…and then remember that leggings and tapered jeans are back in style.
2. Charles in Charge – Scott Baio was at his best in 1984. Post-Chachi and pre-reality TV, Baio plays a wholesome New Jersey college student/live-in manny.
3. Chris Parker of Adventures in Babysitting – Babysitter Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) proves that late night field trips to the big city are never a good idea in this 1987 film.
4. Fran Fine of The Nanny – Fran Drescher plays a noisy nasal single girl from Queens who takes a job as a live-in nanny for a dashing British Broadway producer and his three children. Season one aired in 1993.
5. Mr. Belvedere – Christopher Hewett plays an English butler who takes a job as a live-in manny for an American family. The original nanny diarist, Mr. Belvedere concludes every episode with a thoughtful journal entry. Season one aired in 1985.
6. Mrs Sturak of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead – This 1991 film’s titular babysitter expires on the job, leaving 17-year-old Sue Ellen to take charge of her siblings.
7. Peter, Michael, and Jack of Three Men and a Baby – The success of this film, along with the success of the first season of Full House, proved that 1987 audiences loved nothing more than watching bumbling bachelors attempt to change a diaper.
8. Peyton Flanders of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle – Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay) attempts to exact revenge on the Bartel family by posing as the perfect nanny in this 1992 thriller.
9. Tony Micelli of Who’s the Boss? –Tony Danza plays a widowed Brooklyn ballplayer who takes a job as a live-in manny for a divorced Connecticut executive and her son. This series premiered alongside Mr. Belvedere, making 1985 the year of the sitcom manny.
10. Uncle Jesse and Joey of Full House – Jesse (John Stamos) was the cute one who frequently impersonated Elvis. Joey (Dave Coulier) was the funny one who frequently impersonated Bullwinkle. Season one aired in 1987 when both boys were sporting supersweet mullets.

Vote for your fave in the poll below and don't forget to rave about fictional sitters we left off the list by posting a comment!

9 Ways NOT to Get Fired!

Want to know what seriously bums out parents looking for babysitters and nannies? Check out the following factors that determine whether parents hire (or fire!) a sitter or nanny. These are need-to-know items for keeping or landing a job!  Post a comment and let us know how you seal the deal and keep your customers loyal.

1. Be Available - If you're going to be a babysitter or nanny, make sure you have some free dates in your calendar.

2. Be There - Show up at your appointments!  If you think no one will notice if you blow off an interview or show up late for a job, think again.  Continue to be a no-show, and no one in your neighborhood will hire you - people talk, and bad news travels fast.  Got a real conflict?  Pick up the phone and let the parents know.

3. Be Clear - If you can only babysit for two hours because you have other obligations, warn your employer when you accept the job.  Don't wait until the night of the job to drop the bomb - the parents may be expecting you to stay as long as they need.

4. Be Responsible - If you must cancel a babysitting job, give your employer as much notice as possible and maybe suggest a friend who could fill in for you.  Why would you cancel?  You might be sick, have a conflict with school or another job, or be out of town.  Running late or stuck in traffic? Call, call, call!  Parents will trust you if you keep them informed.

5. Be Interested - Be friendly, professional, and interested in the kids and their wellbeing.  It's a true bummer for parents if they can tell your heart isn't in it.  Parents want to know that their kids are a sitter's first priority.

6. Be Honest - Parents appreciate babysitters who are honest and upfront.  Let them know if you had to use their phone, if you broke something, or if the kids misbehaved.

7. Be Creative - Parents love babysitters who plan ahead and bring arts and crafts supplies, sports equipment, song books, or just some great ideas for entertaining the kids.  Be sure anything you bring or do is age-appropriate and safe for all the kids involved.

8. Be Calm - You MUST be able to handle an emergency - even if it just means staying calm and dailing 911.  Let your employer know you're ready for anything by asking them to leave contact numbers and information you might need in an emergency.  Click here for a babysitters' emergency checklist.

9. Be Prepared - Let parents know if you have up-to-date certifications for babysitting, life guarding, or CPR.  Ask them about installing car seats or about the kids' allergies, bedtimes, or playdates.  They'll love that you're thinking ahead!

10. BONUS TIP: Be Appropriate - You would DIE if we told you some of the horror stories we've heard.  Long story short: don't swear and don't dress for sexy night out at a club!

Let us know how you seal the deal and keep your customers loyal by posting a comment!