The Babysitters Club: A Fun, Fictional Series Centered Around Sitting!

          Maybe you have spied these stowed away in a box from your mother's childhood, or seen the newer, graphic novel versions of the series, but the Baby-sitters Club will always be a favorite among girls. Written by Ann M. Martin, the series shares the adventures of a group of middle school girls and the club they formed to sit for their town. The four main girls in club are Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacy, but other members are added throughout the series. The girls hold different roles and positions in the club, with Kristy being the founder and president of the club, Claudia as vice president, Mary Anne as secretary, and Stacy as the treasurer. However, the books are not completely focused on babysitting, but also get into conflicts about friendship, family, and other topics, which are resolved in the end. Though the Baby-sitters Club is fictional, elements in the story can give great advice ( for example, the babysitting bags full of toys and games the girls bring with them for the children they sit). There is also a TV series and a movie based on the series that share the same name: The Baby-Sitters Club. All in all, the Baby-sitters Club is a great series for anyone who loves to read about friendship and babysitting fun!
         Check out your local public library or bookstore to find the series! The library will probably have both the original series and the graphics novels adapted from the original by Raina Telemeier, and bookstores will most likely carry the newer version of the books. Start with the book no. 1-- Kristy's Great Idea. Hope you enjoy!

Get Your Name Out as a Successful Sitter

Love to sit, but don't know many possible customers? Here are some ways to spread the word of your gift for childcare:

• Register on a childcare website. You can reach more customers online than you can imagine. Just keep in mind that you can only accept jobs fitting your location and schedule. If you live in Oregon, you cannot accept a job offer in Florida! Some great sites to post yourself on are Sittercity, Care.com, and soon Cubs and Company, a childcare website designed for parents to hire girls 11 to 15.
• Social media is a great way to spread word of your work, but as with childcare websites, you must keep time and place in mind when accepting job offers. If you don't have a social media account, ask a parent or friend who has one to post a little something about you.
• Newspaper ads for your services in a local paper have limited audience. Since newspapers usually charge a fee per line for an ad, make it short and simple, containing only vital info, and check how much it will cost first.
• If none of these options work for you, then get your name out the old fashioned way--word of mouth. Talking to friends of your parents, friends' parents, and other adults that have children is one of the most effective way to advertise your services. You don't have to stick with adults, either. Survey you peers, teammates, and club members to find out if they know anyone who would be interested.

Babysitting Outfit Do's and Don'ts

      Before you plan your perfect outfit, read on to help you determine how to dress for your next sitting episode!

• Bright yellows can make babies cry! Instead of wearing that cool new emoji tank, put on your red, purple, and blue attire, which are likely to entertain and attract a baby. 
• Don't wear dangle or hoop earrings--small kids will think of them as a toy, and most likely pull on them if they are too near their curious hands. Wear studs if you still want to decorate your ears. Avoid necklaces, too. Children, especially those who are teething, will put pendents and bead necklaces into their mouths, which could lead to choking. If you have your heart set on wearing a necklace, consider buying a teething necklace for when you are sitting babies and toddlers. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Nuby-Teething-Hanging-Pendant-Necklace/dp/B01LZ5ABEB/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1486930409&sr=8-6&keywords=teething%2Bpendant%2Bnecklace&th=1
• Dress for success. If you want to be seen as mature and focused, don't put on an outfit that is too junky or fancy. Dress in nice, clean, comfortable clothes. Avoid dresses and skirts, unless your have a pair of shorts underneath, so your undergarments don't show when bending down.
• Rule of thumb: Anything you can't wear to school is probably a no-go for babysitting outfits. Unless you are familiar with the parents and their standards, try not to wear anything on the bottom that is too short, shirts that reveal the middle body, and tops with very low necklines, as well as tight fitting clothes.