LilSugar

5 Tips For Hiring a New Year's Eve Babysitter (It's Not Too Late!)

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:37:21 PST

Congratulations, you not only made it through 2011, you were wise enough to make plans (child-free ones!) to ring in 2012. Now comes the tough part - finding someone to watch the kids!

I spoke with Katie Bugbee, managing editor of Care.com - the online caregiver community - about the challenges of finding a sitter during the holidays. While babysitters are certainly at a premium, she says, "there are reliable local caregivers who are still available for New Year's Eve." The trick is knowing how (and where) to find them and what mama needs to do to keep them happy! Keep reading to see her tips (including how much you should be paying your NYE sitter)!

Mommy Dearest: Do I Have to Play With Friend's Nanny?

LilSugar — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:35:51 PDT

Mommy Dearest –

I'm a SAHM, but plenty of my daughter's friends' have two working parents, which means that they are cared for by nannies and babysitters. Now that my daughter is in preschool, she is asking to play with specific friends, rather than the ones I set her up with, and that often means that it is the nanny and me hanging out while the girls play. While the nannies are certainly nice enough, I find us both to be uncomfortable with the situation. Should I just not schedule play dates with these kids, or is there another solution you might suggest to avoid the awkwardness of the situation.

– Playdate Problem Mommy

Keep reading to see Mommy Dearest's response.

Parent or Nanny: Who Should Pay For . . .?

LilSugar — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:30:07 PDT

When it comes to the person tending to their tots, some parents have questions about who should foot the bill for certain things. A babysitter fills in for mom and dad, but does that mean they are entitled to having their expenses covered? A LilSugar reader inquired about forking over food for her nanny and lots of moms had opinions on the issue. Now, tell us what you think when it comes to these other babysitting expenses...

Babysitters: How Young Is Too Young?

babysugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:30:35 PDT

Got a gal coming over from the Babysitter's Club? Many young middle-school and high-school ladies enjoy watching over wee ones for a lil extra spending cash and moms typically like to hire them because their working rate is usually much lower than their older counterparts. While many of them take classes in first aid and CPR, some parents are still weary of their maturity and life experience and feel that a higher rate may be worth it in the end. Professional nannies can charge up to $10 more than an eighth grader, a difference of $40 for one night out on the town. But if the babes are snoozing and it's all about television time, experience and age may be negligible.

What is the lowest age limit for your babysitter?

Eight Things Your Sitter Should Know

babysugar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:00:15 PDT

It's about time mom and pop went out for dinner without their little one. Mum's already done the legwork in finding a sitter, so now what? Keeping a selected caregiver informed will help mommy feel comfortable leaving her tot in someone else's care allowing her to let her hair down a lil easier. Here are a few pieces of information a sitter should know before the happy couple jaunts off on a date night.

Nanny Saves Toddler During Mumbai Siege

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:00:09 PST

We all live with the hope that our caregivers would give life or limb for our child in the event of an emergency, but rarely does a situation come to the point where the person needs to do so. One of the most miraculous stories to come out of the massacre in Mumbai last week was the heroism of Sandra Samuel, the nanny who risked her own life by whisking two-year-old Moshe Holtzberg to safety in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. After spending the night of the bombings hidden in a storage closet, Samuel heard the toddler calling for her. When she found him, he was standing between his unconscious parents, with serious bruises on his back. After safely arriving at the Israeli consulate, she and the toddler were transported to Jerusalem, where they are living with Moshe's family's community. Samuel says she intends to stay with her charge as long as she is needed.

Who Drives the Sitter Home?

babysugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:00:13 PDT

Every time my husband and I go out, we argue about who will drive the sitter home.

Being a woman, I feel vulnerable driving around late at night on my lonesome.

My hubby argues that it's an uncomfortable ride - older man and younger woman with not much to talk about so we usually take turns.

Who drives your sitter home?
Source

Tending to Baby: Mommies Lose It When Nannies Cruise

babysugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PDT

Whether you've got your mama or a full–time nanny, every parent needs a helping hand every now and then.

For some mothers, especially those with time consuming careers, nannies or caretakers offer much more than assistance.

And when that help disappears, it sometimes sends a mum into shock and hysteria. I know of one single mother who relies so heavily on her daughter's caretaker that she has panic attacks when the employee leaves.

To read about Kate Moss's experience,

read more. Supermodel Kate Moss is said to be experiencing anxiety since her pregnant assistant left to give birth. London's Daily Mail reports:

Friends of Supermodel Kate Moss fear her life could spiral out of control after the resignation of her personal assistant left the troubled supermodel devastated.

How heavily do you rely on help? Source

Mommy's Lil Helpers: Where Celebrity Moms Turn For Childcare Help

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:25:35 PST

We could all use an extra set of hands when it comes to caring for our children, and Hollywood's leading mamas are no exception. Like many mamas, some of the biggest stars resist the urge to hire live-in help and turn to family and friends when needed. Others go the hired-help route - bringing in nannies and caretakers that often become part of the family. See where the celeb moms turn when they need help raising their kids!

War Horse: Spielberg's Perfectly Pleasing Horse Tale

Shannon Vestal — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:05:00 PST

Leave it to Steven Spielberg to make an engaging, epic, and poignant movie with a horse as the main character. The legendary director is behind War Horse, a World War I-set drama that follows a horse named Joey as he's raised in Britain and trained by his doting owner, Albert (Jeremy Irvine). Due to financial circumstances, Albert's family is forced to sell Joey to the war effort, and as the horse is involved in various battles and trades, he's passed from different owners and opposing sides all over Europe.

As Joey enters the life of each temporary caretaker, we experience a snapshot of these characters' lives and how the war has affected them. Though the movie is a long and sprawling tale, Spielberg makes each vignette compelling and touching enough that you want to ride along with Joey on his journey. To find out where else War Horse succeeds, just keep reading.