The first step is to decide exactly what you want in a babysitter. Do you want them to take an educational, active, or creative approach to watching your kids? Perhaps you are looking for some combination of the three. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking for in a sitter before beginning the search.

The next step is to figure out where you want to look. Since you want a sitter that enjoys being active, you might want to consider asking parents you know that have kids on high school or college sports teams. Ask other members of your community or utilize people that work at the local Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, or other community center. These babysitters are familiar with helping kids stay active, and they know plenty of fun and safe activities and games.

After choosing candidates from churches, local community centers, friend referrals, and classified ads, ask for references and set up an initial interview. Find out how much experience they have, and check their references. Make sure they understand exactly what you want your children to do and eat while you are away, and ask if they are comfortable with the guidelines and responsibilities.

Set up a time for them to meet your kids and arrange for a spouse, friend, or family member to be present. See how they interact with your children, and whether they are caring and disciplined, or negligent and harsh. Offer the opportunity for them to play with your kids in a place where they are less likely to feel that they are being watched, such as the backyard or the basement. Pay attention to the kinds of activities they encourage and the way they speak to your children. Afterwards, be sure to talk to your kids about what they did, what they talked about, and most importantly, if they liked the sitter.

As long as your children are comfortable with your sitter, you are off to a good start. On their first day as babysitter, try to provide a list of fun and healthy activities and snacks. Make sure they understand that certain things such as television, soda and sugary snacks are prohibited, and let them know the laws of the land such as the requirement of finishing dinner before leaving the table. Make sure they are familiar with a few PE games and activities in order to make sure they never run out of entertainment and active options. At the end of the babysitting job, be sure to find details about exactly what they did, what your kids ate, and what time they went to bed. Make sure your children’s stories are the same, and if so, you have found a babysitter!

Amanda is a writer and blogger living in San Diego, USA. She writes on behalf of SPARK, an organization that helpes teachers and recreation leaders provide physical education to help fight child obesity.

Tip #1 Cook Meals
Nannies should know how to cook. TV dinners are usually high in sodium, calories, and contain preservatives. Serving home-cooked meals are usually healthier because you get to control what you put in it. Though pizza for dinner is okay once in a while, making it a daily meal is a big No! No!

Tip #2 Serve healthy snacks
When kids ask for snacks, instruct your nanny to serve fruit slices like peach, kiwi, carrot sticks and blackberries because they contain lesser calories compared to commercial chips.

Tip#3 Allow kids to help out
Allow nannies to ask your kids to help out in some household chores. By doing so, not only they get to work on that muscles and burn some calories but they also get to learn how to do basic household chores.

Tip #4 Promote play
Kids love to play. No question on that. However, because of the advent of console games like Playstations, Xbox, and Wii, kids often stay at home instead of playing real games outside. Nannies should encourage children to play in the park with other kids or play sports like basketball and baseball.

Tip #5 Limit TV time
Studies show that kids who spend a lot of time in front of the TV gain weight. This is because watching TV triggers a person to munch on junk-foods and the lack of physical exertion causes the calories to be converted as fat deposit. Nannies should not forbid kids from watching their favorite show but limiting the viewing time would greatly help in protecting kids from obesity.

Tip #6 Give plenty of water
Aside from keeping the kids’ bodies hydrated, water also helps in the metabolism of the body. A good strategy to decrease the kids’ food intake is by giving them a glassful of water before each meal. This way, they easily gets full thus decreasing their food intake.

Tip #7 Promote adequate sleeps
Enough sleep increases Leptin levels which are hormones that tell the brain that the body is full and decreases Ghelin levels which are hormones that tell the brain to signal the body to keep eating.

Nannies play a vital role in keeping the young ones in shape as they are considered the second parents when the real parents are away. So, do coordinate with the nannies because not only they become your eyes and ears when you are away but they also help in protecting your child from obesity.

Chris Alex is a healthy weight loss blogger. His articles aim to help you learn how to lose weight naturally. If you find your self thinking “I want to lose weight” then his articles can guide you through the process.

If your babysitter is a paid professional, and not grandma or a friend, grilling them in advance and making sure that you share the same childcare philosophy and will keep your kids safe can do a lot to ease your mind. So, what questions should you ask potential babysitters when you are interviewing them?

Why do you do this job?

Whatever your potential babysitter’s answer is to this question, you will gain useful insights. Perhaps they’ll say they love children, or they like working during evening hours because they study during the day. They could be babysitting because they think it is easy money. They could also be doing it because they want to burgle your house while you are enjoying a nice meal at a fancy restaurant. No, of course they are not going to tell you that, but you might just be able to sense that they are lying to you.

What experience do you have? Do you have children, or younger siblings?

Obviously, someone who has extensive experience with small kids suits your needs better than someone who has never taken care of children before, but thinks they can dump your sweet baby in their crib and then go off to watch television. This is a question you definitely want an answer to.

What are your views about discipline? What would you do if our child misbehaved?

It is important to refrain from sharing your own opinions before you get the answer to this question, because you want to avoid the babysitter saying what they think you want to hear, just to get the job. Babysitters can be flexible and go along with parents’ wishes, if they take their job seriously, but it is just so much easier if you have a babysitter who agrees with your view. Taking care of your kids is easier on your sitter if she is able to do what comes naturally, as well.

Other questions to ask are how your babysitter would react in an emergency situation, how they feel about drinking and smoking, and whether they would ever allow friends of their into your home while they were babysitting. Teens who babysit often do this, and this does not necessarily have to be a problem but it is obviously something you want to agree on in advance. Asking your sitter to tell you something about kids they previously cared for can help you get a feel for how they truly feel about their job.

Now, the number one fear of many parents is sexual abuse. This is a taboo subject, but a very important one nonetheless. Security experts sometimes recommend asking potential babysitters if they have a criminal record, or even undertaking steps to verify this. Asking if they have ever suspected a child they babysat for was being abused (as recommended by one famous expert) is something most parents feel weird about. Having this in mind, and asking some similar questions, might be able to provide you with information and put your mind at rest or otherwise.

Keep in mind that vetting carried out by a babysitting agency does not guarantee a good, ethical babysitter, and use your own common sense at all times.

Olivia is a former journalist passionate about all topics related to the female body, Trying to Conceive, pregnancy, and birth. A new addition to her site is free and personalized Ovulation Calendar.

Parents and nannies can work together to help children of all ages with good dental hygiene. Here are a few simple steps to help!

Build a Regular Routine

Building healthy teeth begins when children are babies. After feedings, nannies can wipe down babies’ gums with a clean cloth to remove bacteria, and they need to be aware of a condition called bottle mouth, where a baby’s teeth can become pitted or discolored. This happens when liquids like juice or milk remain in contact with teeth for long periods of time. Avoid putting a baby to bed with a bottle, and offer water in a cup for drinking during the day by the time a baby is a year old.

As babies transition to the toddler stage, teeth appear that need to be brushed regularly. During the course of the day, your nanny can help by using a tiny toothbrush and toothpaste (safe for young children) in small amounts. Help toddlers brush their teeth once in the morning and once before bed for about two minutes each time. These two minutes may seem really long, so nannies can incorporate simple songs – like the ABC song – to help pass the time.

As toddlers grow into preschoolers and beyond, flossing needs to be introduced with twice-a-day brushing. Children at this stage can also begin to understand the long-term effects of not taking care of their teeth. Take time to explain that bacteria sticks to their teeth, turning into plaque that uses acid to destroy teeth. Nannies need to reinforce this information with children, which is both entertaining and motivating!

Provide Snack and Drink Guidelines

Along with brushing and flossing, meals and snacks should also be on a regular schedule. Kids eat small amounts several times a day, and they thrive on breakfast, lunch and dinner with one snack in between meals.

To help keep teeth healthy, snacks need to be regulated to fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains, which your nanny will need to structure throughout the day. In my household, there are “free” snacks that can be eaten anytime, which include a variety of fruits and vegetables. Crunchy foods, like apples and celery, will get rid of bacteria that turn into plaque.

Sugary, sticky snacks and desserts provide the best home for bacteria. Avoid giving these as snacks, along with sugary drinks, like fruit juices and soda. Water is the best option for quenching thirst, with milk as a close second to provide calcium for healthy teeth.

Brush the Right Way

It’s fun to have a variety of products for kids to choose from when it comes to taking care of their teeth. Have two or three toothbrushes available, and allow children to choose which toothbrush they want to use when it’s time to brush their teeth.

Other kid-friendly products to consider include plastic cups for rinsing, different colors of floss, and a variety of toothpaste flavors. Let kids put the toothpaste on the brush (emphasizing that the toothpaste should be the size of a pea).

Nannies need to plan on brushing their teeth when the children do, teaching them that it’s important to brush at the gum line, as well as all surfaces of the teeth. Kids will mostly want to brush their front teeth a couple of times and be done, but they really need to brush top, sides, front and back teeth for two to three minutes. Incorporate flossing, using it to get in-between teeth.

These strategies, put into practice by parents and nannies, will help kids of all ages have white, healthy smiles for years to come!

Kelly Wilson is a mom, freelance writer, and an expert money-saver who regularly visits her Cosmetic Dentist in Vancouver, Washington to keep her teeth clean and white.

When I first heard this news I was appalled. How could a boy so young be left alone for an entire hour? What if, on a random day, all of the neighbors left the building? Or a horde of criminals descended on our peaceful area? Or a terrible fire broke out?

After my near panic attack thinking up the thousands of possibilities of horror that could be unleashed in that hour, a simpler thought dawned on me. I was a near 8 years-old when my parents did the same thing. And I turned out OK. Maybe, that sweet, calm, mature boy that I know will turn out alright as well.

According to the US Department of Child Welfare , parents should consider certain questions about their child before leaving them home alone. Is your child mature enough to care for himself and make good decisions? Is your child comfortable about being home alone? Do you trust your child to obey the rules?

Of course, parents that live in safe neighborhoods may feel more comfortable leaving their child home alone, as well as parents who know that their homes are protected by alarm systems and watchful neighbors.

Is your child ready to stay home alone?

If your child is talking about being too old for a babysitter, but yo are still unsure, there are simple things that you can do to determine is it too soon to be left home alone.

• Talk about it. Spend some time have a frank conversation about just what staying home alone means. Discuss your child’s feelings and thoughts, as well as asking the important “what would you do if …” questions.

• Create a set of home alone rules and post them where your child can see them. Work together with your child to create a list of rules that you both feel comfortable with. Is ordering take-out OK, or playing outside, or cooking?

• Give your child a test run to see how well he does. Choose a short amount of time during the day to see how well your child reacts to being home alone. Kids who are not ready may become afraid after only a few minutes, or lose the ability to follow the rules.

• Check in frequently. The first few times, it can be comforting for you and your child to check in frequently and make sure things are going well. If you cannot, have a neighbor or relative that you trust call or visit to see how your child is doing.

If your child is old enough and mature enough to go without a babysitter, try not to overdo the time alone too often. A child able to care for himself may not be ready to care for younger siblings yet, which requires even more maturity and can strain a sibling relationship. Also, some children can handle a night or two alone but not every week. If you can, schedule fun activities and events for your child during some of the times you need to be away. Even dropping your child off at a friend’s house can be a great compromise between babysitter and home alone.

It is a tough age, the space between child and adult. Parents want to make sure their their children are safe and cared for, while those children are feeling the tugs of independence. Knowing when it is time to cancel the sitter and let your child stay home alone is a personal decision, one that changes based on your child’s maturity and your home’s safety. If you have been hearing begging to stay home alone for a while it may be time to give your child a trial run.

You’ll never know if you don’t give it a try.

Summer Minor is a mother and freelance writer along historic Route 66. Her blog, Finding Summer , is where she shares the triumphs and concerns of modern parenting.

Lunch sustains energy, keeping children focused and fueling their brains as well as their bodies. That makes what you choose to pack for lunch vitally important. So too, is what you leave out. Sugary treats, artificial flavorings, food colorings and loads of sodium top that list.

Consider also that lunch is the meal most commonly consumed away from parental supervision. Trading lunch items is commonplace as are lunches returning home in practically the same state they left it, untouched.

So how does one pack a healthy lunch box that the child will actually eat? It may seem a daunting task, but before you hit the panic button, read these basic tips that will help keep it simple and keep you sane.

Play on your strengths

If your child will only eat pizza – give them that. But make sure it is THE healthiest pizza it can be. Use organic sauce, hormone free cheese and whole grain crust. Blend extra cooked vegetables into the tomato sauce – they kids won’t know they’re there and will get the health benefits anyway. If your kids only eat PB&J – try swapping in almond butter and raspberry preserves, even a minor change will expand their plate.

Be Age Appropriate

The lunch you pack for a toddler will vary greatly from the lunch you pack a first grader or a child in middle school. The smaller the child, the smaller the portions should be. A sandwich is not something a child under the age of 7 will be interested in long enough to eat completely. Try a small portion of protein, one of carbohydrates and a little fruit or vegetable. As the child’s appetite grows, you can increase the portions.

Middle school and high school age children tend to respond to lunches they can graze from more. Lunch is a social hour at that age, not to mention that the lunch period can be scheduled as early as ten in the morning. A lunch for a child this age should include things that will keep in the locker and munch on through the day, between classes.

Some menu ideas for a week:

• Chili, soup or stew in thermos with blue corn chips or a roll, a fruit kabob

• Tuna salad with whole grain crackers and carrots

• Chicken salad with diced mangoes, sliced grapes and pita

• Grilled tuna or chicken with soy sauce, peanut noodles, sliced carrots and cucumber with carrot ginger dressing to dip

• Pasta salad with mixed veggies, cheese and chickpeas

• Leftover pizza, cucumber salad, trail mix with nuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips

Remember that last night’s dinner can be a building block for the next day’s lunch. The leftover roasted chicken can make a terrific chicken salad.

Let the Seasons be Your Guide

Think about it, if it’s pushing 90 degrees outside, do you want to eat a heavy lunch? Likely the answer is no. Hot, humid days lend themselves to lighter fare like salads, fruits and vegetables. When the weather changes and the cool crisp days of autumn come along, they are perfect for heartier sandwiches and pastas. Downright chilly days in winter beg for comfort foods like soups and stews. An insulated container of chili or stew can represent a comforting hug from home.

Avoid Food Ruts

With the exception of the family pet, no one likes to eat the same thing every day. Change the menu before the child gets bored. Even cutting the veggies into fun shapes can make a child more likely to eat them. One creative mom cut the food into the letters of her child’s name. You’d be surprised how a simply original and personal touch can make it that much harder for your child to give away his personalized cucumber slice for an Oreo cookie.

Talk about it

If your child has traded a lunch, ask them what they traded for. See if you can provide a mom/dad-approved alternative, so more of what is packed for your child is eaten by your child. Talking about what goes in the lunch box is a great opportunity to give the child a choice and a measure of control over what they’re eating. Kids today are sophisticated, and want to be part of the process.

Start slowly and employ just a few of these tips and soon you’ll be looking forward to the process of packing a healthy lunch.

Amara Wagner is a Holistic Health Coach and the founder of Amara Wellness LLC. Amara is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is accredited by the American Association of Drugless.

There are many factors to consider. However, regardless which option you choose, it’s important that you trust your new care provider. How can you function at work if you are not fully convinced that your children are in good hands?

Now, let’s look at both sides:

Pros and cons of a nanny:

Pros:

• Having a nanny come into your home, your child will have one on one contact
• Your child will be more comfortable in their own home with their own things
• Convenient, do not have to take your child anywhere
• Child will not get as sick, will not catch every cold spreading through the daycare
• If you are running late, your nanny won’t charge you by the minute
• The nanny will continue to follow your house rules

Cons:

• Cost, a nanny may be more expensive
• Finding the perfect nanny that you and your child likes
• Trust- finding a nanny that you can trust will be challenging
• Need a back-up sitter available when your nanny is out sick

Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a daycare:

Pros and cons of a Daycare:

Pros:

• Cost of using a daycare may be cheaper than a nanny
• Daycare has many adults who are trained to tend to your child
• Daycares are state regulated and have to follow certain standards for safety and cleanliness
• Your child will have other children to play with

Cons:

• Your child may get sick more often, from the other children
• Getting your child packed up and out the door may be a hassle
• Childcare employees often change out, so your child will have to adjust to different sitters
• Daycares have their rules as to when to put your child down for a nap, and as to when they no longer need a bottle
• If you have to work late and your daycare will close before you can get there, you will have to make other arrangements for someone to pick up your child

We have looked at all the pros and cons of choosing either a daycare or a nanny for your child. If you can afford a nanny, that might be the best solution for you, your child will be in their own environment, and still following family rules.

A daycare might also be good for your child, your child will get to interact with other children and learn how to share and play with others.

It is a difficult decision, but look over all the pros and cons of both the daycare and nanny and see what will work best for your family.

To ensure you have a good night out, plan ahead.  If you don’t have a reliable baby sitter already, check online nannies services.  There you can choose a nanny that suites your exact needs plus most will have their references checked before joining the provider.

Next thing is to book the nanny ahead to ensure your preferred date and time.  Don’t forget to book the restaurant, too!  If your child is older, you might prepare him/her by explaining that parents are going out and how the evening will go for them.  Reassure your child that you are coming back, as some kids might feel insecure when parents leave them with a nanny for the first time.

The evening you’re going out, ask your sitter to come over early while you are getting ready.   The sitter can spend that time with the baby getting to know him/her before you leave.  Refresh him/her on your baby’s care, such as feeding and bedtime.  Exchange the phone number and or the address of the place you are going to.   You might choose a restaurant or cinema close to where you live or stay for a shorter time for the first night out.  If the night runs smoothly, you might go to the movies and have dinner too next time.

Finally, you are out having a delicious meal in a nice restaurant – all alone with your husband!   Enjoy the moment, you have deserved it!  If , however, you find that you can’t relax and are worrying about the baby and missing him/her, call the sitter and check how it’s all going at home.  Once you hear that everything is under control, try to shift your thoughts and have some quality time with your partner.

The Parents View

Parents are under a lot of pressure nowadays. Whether you are a working or stay at home parent, taking care of the children takes a lot of time and commitment.  By the time the kids are ready for bed, so am I.  My partner and I don’t have any quality time together; we hardly have a conversation without our children interrupting, wondering what were we talking about after each pause.   It’s about time for us to have a parent’s night out.

While we are out, I’m wondering what the kids are doing, are they behaving or destroying the house, listening to the sitter, going to bed on time, did they take a bath and brush their teeth.  However, I choose not to call.  If there’s anything wrong, the baby sitter would call, so I carry on with my dinner and enjoy a nice conversation with my husband.  We needed this night out badly and we came back home refreshed and relaxed.  The kids were asleep.  The house was tidy and in complete order.  How nice to skip the chaos of dinner-bed time-cleaning-up routine for one night!  After saying goodnight to the sitter, we finished our night snugged up on sofa, promising to each other we would go out on a regular basis.  We have since used the same sitter and planning our nights is something I look forward to.

Why Sittercity.com?

Sittercity.com has become very popular over the last almost twenty years. And their popularity is continuing rising all the time. They are nationwide and have over a million of sitters to choose from all over.

• Named the best babysitter/nanny-referral service by New York Magazine for 2009.

• Convenient; unlike traditional nanny agencies, Sittercity allows you to have candidates calling you within minutes after placing your offer.

• Easy to navigate; if you are a new user, you can easily follow their instructions and get to the bottom of things with just a few clicks of the mouse.

• Safe; sittercity has a four-step screening process which includes checking references, reading caregiver reviews, conducting interviews and reviewing background checks.

• Use filters to narrow search results; eliminate those that smoke, or include those who don’t mind having pets around.

• Phone and email support provided.

• BBB Accredited business since February 2003.

If you want to dig in more, check out the full review of sittercity.com or visit Sittercity.com now.

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Why Sittercity.com?

Sittercity.com, the recognized and trusted online caregiver provider, was named the best babysitter/nanny-referral service by New York Magazine for 2009.  In addition to babysitters and nannies, users can find pet sitters, house sitters,  dog walkers, elder care providers, and tutors.

Sittercity.com has become very popular over the last almost twenty years. And their popularity is continuing rising all the time. They are nationwide and have over a million of sitters to choose from all over.

Sittercity has a four-step screening process which includes checking references, reading caregiver reviews, conducting interviews and reviewing background checks.

SitterCity.com has been a BBB Accredited business since February 2003.

If you want to dig in more, check out the full review of cittercity.com.