SitterTree Resources: Insights on Babysitting and Childcare

The Oliveira Family continuously goes above and beyond to make their SitterTree sitters feel welcomed. Our babysitters appreciate your inviting home and thorough instructions. Congratulations Oliveira Family for being selected as our November Featured Family! 

We asked mom, Kate, four quick questions: 

 

WHAT TYPE OF JOB DO YOU PRIMARILY BOOK SITTERS FOR? 

Date night and weekend jobs.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SITTERTREE FEATURE?

Sitter quality, ease of booking, and favorite sitters!

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WHAT MAKES YOU TRUST SITTERTREE FOR YOUR BABYSITTING NEEDS?

Every sitter we have used from SitterTree has been top quality in terms of experience, disposition and aptitude with children. The SitterTree vetting system seems to be very effective, which makes us trust SitterTree for our babysitting needs.

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DOES YOUR FAMILY HAVE A FAVORITE SITTER? 

Caitlin Tedder is a particular Favorite sitter. She has a positive, approachable disposition, and also is in firm control of every situation when sitting. We are always so at ease when Caitlin is with Mack (and Milly in the near future).

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We appreciate the way you care for our sitters! We are thrilled you are our November Featured Family.

Use code FEATURED to get a free 1 month Sitter Pass when you sign up using the link below.

https://sittertree.social/Oliveira-Family

Terms: New members only. Offer expires December 31, 2021.

At SitterTree, we practice “Safety First; Safety Always.” Sitters like Hunter G. foster safe environments that ensure children can enjoy having fun – safely! Join us in celebrating Hunter G. as our November Featured Sitter! 

 

Hunter is a Favorite sitter for over 20 families and has been a member of the SitterTree community since 2020. She obtained her degree in Mass Communications from Atlanta’s Clark Atlanta University. Along with being an amazing sitter, Hunter works as a journalist for Atlanta Voice. She plans to follow her passion by writing and producing for tv/film projects. We wish you all the best and hope to see your name on the big screen soon, Hunter! 

 

We asked Hunter a few quick questions:

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SITTERTREE FEATURE?

Flexibility! I can work as much or as little as I’d like to, and it works perfectly for my schedule. Also, the families on SitterTree have been truly the best! 

 

WHO’S YOUR MOST FAVORITE SITTERTREE FAMILY?

This is really hard because all of the families I’ve worked with have been awesome…but I’d have to say the Glovers! 

 

WHAT MAKES THE GLOVER FAMILY YOUR FAVORITE?

They are the family I’ve worked with the longest. Over time they really made me feel like I am a part of their family. Even though their son goes to in-person school this year, I still sit for them from time to time. 

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A SITTER JUST STARTING OUT WITH SITTERTREE?

Apply to as many jobs as possible in the beginning. The more awesome ratings/reviews you have the easier it becomes to book more families! 

 

Congratulations on being our November Featured Sitter, Hunter!

 

Looking to welcome a sitter like Hunter into your family?

Signup and get $25 Sitter Bucks towards paying your first sitter. Terms apply.

Sign Up Now

Terms: Offer good for new members only. $25 Sitter Bucks will be added to account to be used toward payment of first sitter at the end of the job. Non Transferrable. Sitter Bucks do not expire.

OCTOBER 2021 – Anokhi P.

 

SitterTree’s is known for our trusted community of local families and sitters. We love to celebrate the sitters, like Anohki P., who make SitterTree Atlanta’s #1 app for booking childcare. Congratulations, Anokhi, for being SitterTree’s October Featured Sitter!

  Anohki is not only a Favorite sitter for more than 40 families, but she is a dedicated student. Outside of SitterTree she works at a dental office in Roswell and spends time volunteering. In five years, she hopes to have graduated from dental school – a huge life/career goal. We hope you plan to practice in Georgia, Anohki!   We asked Anokhi a few quick questions:   WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SITTERTREE FEATURE? Convenience is my favorite feature about SitterTree because when I was in college it was hard to be able to work my school schedule around childcare and some semesters I just couldn’t, and I hated leaving a family because my classes aren’t as flexible but the SitterTree allowed me to be able to find work when I was able to.   ::   WHO’S YOUR MOST FAVORITE SITTERTREE FAMILY? The Neslage, Mosteller, Lowry, and Picard Families!   ::   WHAT MAKES THEM YOUR FAVORITE? These families are my favorite because we always pick up right where we left off. They make me feel like a friend and a part of the family. I am always so welcomed and feel loved by each and every one of them. They are so kind and understanding in any situation and treat me with kindness and respect. I truly cannot ask for anything more. Being welcomed into a home and quickly feeling like I am a part of the family is the best feeling and makes me want to come back and apply for more jobs!   ::   WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A SITTER JUST STARTING OUT WITH SITTERTREE? Just be yourself and don’t be afraid to get down and dirty with the kids. Show everyone kindness and have fun and be safe.   —   Looking to welcome a sitter into your family? Signup and book your first sitter here: https://sittertree.social/AnokhiP   #atlantababysitters #atlantababysitting #childcare #sittertree #kennesawstateuniversity #ksu #atlantamoms #mariettamoms

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could curate the perfect Instagram feed? You could say goodbye to those Instagram accounts that turn you into a green-eyed monster or those that make you feel like you aren’t good enough. 

With all the time we spend on social media, we should do whatever we can to make our feeds uplifting and joy-giving. The good news is that you can! You can stop following Instagram accounts that make you question your parenting, and you can start following Instagram accounts that bring genuine smiles and give brilliant answers.

In addition to curating a social media feed of friends and family members you want to keep up with, consider adding some of our favorite Instagram accounts to your feed. Trust us – their content is worth more than a quick scroll past. 

Every mom wishes she had a pediatrician friend on speed dial. If you aren’t so lucky, start following Kelly Fradin, MD FAAP. As a mom and pediatrician, she packs her Instagram account full of helpful content for parents. For example, just a quick scroll through her feed will help you find answers about head injuries, when to worry about tantrums, and 4-year-old milestones. 

Hannah Heck is an Atlanta mom who openly and honestly shares stories about her life with family. She places special focus on her son, Teddy, who has down syndrome. Her posts are full of humor, love, and beautiful insights. 

Caroline is a realtor in the Atlanta area, and she is a mom to three kids. She is breathtakingly honest about her motherhood struggles, which makes her Instagram account refreshing. With a healthy dose of mom humor, she shares everything from mom life moments to fashion pics (and introducing followers to new places to shop in the area). Plus, she changed our lives when she recommended Target workout shorts!

Tabitha Brown’s bio labels her “World’s Favorite Mom” and it is easy to see why. She is full of joy and life. It’s impossible to watch her videos, which cover everything from motivational talks to cooking, without smiling. Another cool feature is her vegan cooking tips and recipes. Cause, that’s her business…

Dr. Darria is an ER doctor and a mom. Her Instagram account is chock full of great advice. This makes total sense since she wrote the bestselling book, Mom Hacks: 100+ Science-Backed Shortcuts to Reclaim Your Body, Raise Awesome Kids, and Be Unstoppable. Hint – she shares many of those hacks on her Insta account!

Meghan Cooper, aka JaMonkey, is an Atlanta-based content creator. Her Instagram account covers a little of everything, including cool Atlanta stuff for local parents. She is proud to be a mega fandom geek, so if you love pop culture, Disney, superheroes, etc., her feed will make your day. Plus, she includes travel suggestions for families, S.T.E.A.M activities for kids, and DIY and crafting ideas.

Parenting during a pandemic was not easy for anyone. Fortunately, we discovered Jessica Malaty Rivera, an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist. Her Instagram account has tons of helpful information about vaccines, traveling, and schools. Plus, she’s a mom!

Mattie James is a mega Atlanta social media influencer and the founder and director of Atlanta Style Bloggers and Style Bloggers of Color. Her Instagram account is swoon-worthy, covering style, beauty, life, motherhood, and home décor. If you ever wanted to learn about being an influencer, she’s the one in the know.

 

Moms know that family vacations are a bit of a myth. You don’t go on vacation when you have little ones. You go on a trip (and then you need a vacation after). That’s why I prefer to go on weekend getaways near Atlanta.

By keeping trips within driving distance of Atlanta, I can pack less and feel safe knowing I can get home quickly if needed. 

Plus, our central location makes it easy to explore a bunch of family-friendly vacation spots. Those of us who call Atlanta home are fortunate enough to be able to get to the beach, the mountains, and other metropolitan areas in less than five hours. 

If you are looking for summer getaways near Atlanta that will make the whole family happy, you’ve come to the right place. 

1. 30A, Florida

If you want to escape the city and see some of the prettiest beaches in the U.S., then you need to head to 30A. 

30A doesn’t refer to an airplane seat. It refers to Scenic Highway 30A in Walton County, Florida. 30A is comprised of several beautiful quaint beach towns, including Dune Allen Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Seaside, Seagrove Beach, WaterSound Beach, Seacrest Beach, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Inlet Beach. 

Unlike its neighbors (Panama City and Destin), these 30A beach towns are more geared to families than fraternities or sororities. You won’t find mega hotel chains, but you will find tons of beach home rentals and a laid-back vibe.

Drive Time from ATL: 4 hr 45 min

2. Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Want to breathe in some mountain air? Rent a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.

Here you’ll find Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, both of which are chock-full of family-friendly attractions. Even better, these mountain towns are only about 30 minutes apart, so you can easily visit both places on your visit.

Gatlinburg has a walkable, family-friendly main strip with tons of shops, restaurants, and attractions, such as Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Ripley’s Aquarium in the Smokies. 

Pigeon Forge is home to the Dollywood theme park, as well as multiple dinner theaters. It is also home to the giant family entertainment center (The Island in Pigeon Forge), which has dancing fountains, live music, tons of retail shops and restaurants, as well as several family-friendly attractions (think mirror mazes and rides).

Drive Time from ATL: 3 hr 40 min

3. Savannah, GA

Take a step back in time and enjoy the beautiful history of Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah is one of my favorite getaways near Atlanta. The city itself is beautiful and walkable with plenty of things to see and places to eat delicious Southern cuisine. Your family can walk the cobble-stone River Street while enjoying ice cream from River Street Sweets and watching boats along the Savannah River.

For some thrills and chills, take the kids to eat at the historic Pirate’s House where pirates use to rendezvous. Then, sign up for one of the many ghost tours in downtown Savannah. 

Added Savannah getaway bonus – Tybee Island is located 30 minutes from Savannah, so you can add a beach day to your itinerary. 

Drive Time from ATL: 3 hr 50 min

4. Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC is not your typical mountain town. Asheville is one of the most popular getaways from Atlanta, which makes sense given that it is home to the Biltmore (America’s largest home). Visiting the historic home and grounds is fun for kids and adults. My kids love listening to Biltmore’s kid-friendly audio tour because it is narrated by the family dog.

Asheville is also home to several unique family-friendly attractions, such as the Asheville Pinball Museum. Families will also enjoy the wide variety of outdoor attractions available in the area, such as ziplining and animal encounters. 

The last time my family visited Asheville we stayed in a treehouse! There are several in the Asheville area, including a Harry Potter-themed treehouse.

Parent bonus – Asheville is home to several family-friendly breweries complete with kid’s menus and playgrounds. 

Drive Time from ATL: 3 hr 20 min

5. Charlotte, NC

For those wanting busy getaways near Atlanta (the type where you keep the kids so busy that they sleep all night), head to Charlotte, NC. 

Charlotte’s got a lot, which the name of the city’s official travel resource, is an absolutely true statement. If your family loves theme parks, head to Carowinds. Not only can you enjoy thrill rides and a waterpark, but you can also stand in two states at once on the park’s unique state line. 

Charlotte is also home to NASCAR’s Charlotte Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, as well as other sports venues. Plus, it’s located right by Great Wolf Lodge.

Drive Time from ATL: 4 hr

6. Civil Rights Road Trip

Families with older kids can take a road trip to visit sites that were important to the Civil Rights Movement. 

Since Atlanta was the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., you can begin your trip at home with a visit to Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. 

From Atlanta, there are several different Civil Rights Trail itineraries that will allow you to visit multiple historical sites and museums across the South that were pivotal in the fight for civil rights. Some destinations are only 2 hours and 30 minutes away, such as Birmingham, Alabama. 

Check out AAA’s Sample Civil Rights Trail Road Trip through Georgia and Alabama for an idea, or use the US Civil Rights Trail interactive map to plan your own road trip across multiple Southern states.

Bonus Kid-Free Getaways Near Atlanta 

Trips with kids are great, but there are times when mom and dad need to get away. Here are two of my favorites for parents looking for kid-free getaways near Atlanta.

7. Landrum, SC

Located right by the North Carolina border is the small town of Landrum, South Carolina. If you love Hallmark movies, then add the Red Horse Inn to your bucket place. Everything from the horses roaming the property to the exquisitely decorated rooms made me feel like I was in a movie.

Landrum is a small town with excellent restaurants and cute shops. It is also conveniently located by several wineries and waterfalls, making for a dreamy couples’ getaway near Atlanta. 

Drive Time from ATL: 2 hr 50 min

8. Highlands, NC

Planning a girls’ trip? Look no further than Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, NC. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Nantahala National Forest, this upscale inn and spa is the perfect place to refresh and renew. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine and pamper yourself at their world-class spa.

Drive Time from ATL: 2 hr

If we missed your favorite getaways near Atlanta, let us know in the comments!

Just need a night to yourself? Book a sitter.

Book a Sitter

Enter Sitter Bucks code SUMMER21 when paying your first sitter to get $20 off.

Whether you need childcare while school is out or simply want a little time to yourself, enrolling your child in one of these 15+ camps for preschoolers in Atlanta is a great idea.

Many parents don’t realize that there are summer camps designed especially for children under five years old. I started sending my son to a week-long theatre camp when he was a preschooler, and he loved it so much he has gone back for a week every summer since. He’s now 10. 

The camps for preschoolers in Atlanta serve as a fun introduction to summer camps where kids get to socialize, move, and learn. Moreover, sending your preschoolers to summer camp is good for them! 

Active Kids explains, “Summer camp can provide a preview of school, particularly for children who haven’t been to daycare […] The transition from laid-back, flexible days at home with a parent or caretaker to the relative structure of a classroom environment can be challenging. Summer camp can introduce kids to concepts like following a schedule, learning group rules, taking responsibility for their belongings (backpack and lunchbox), and getting along with other children in a group setting.”

Plus, unlike traditional summer camps, the summer camp sessions for preschoolers and toddlers tend to be shorter, such as half-days. Kids in this age group will play so hard at camp that they’ll come home mid-afternoon ready for a much-needed nap. (I consider this a major Mom Win!)

To help you see all that is out there, we’ve gathered up a list of 12+ fun camps for preschoolers that cover different interests, areas, and budgets. Browse this list of options to see if there are any camps your kiddo would be interested in and register before it is too late.

Fine Arts Camps for Preschoolers in Atlanta

Fine arts camps include everything from art to dance to music to theatre. There are tons of fine arts camps that accept preschoolers around Atlanta. Here are some popular options.

• Atlanta Ballet Centre: Offers a summer day program at multiple locations for children beginning at age 2. The classes meet once a week for 8 weeks and serve as an introduction to dance.
• ABC Easel: Offers half-day weekly art camp for kids 3-6 years old. Preschoolers can enjoy arts enrichment in a COVID-safe environment.
• Forefront Arts Camp: Offers a variety of half-day drama camps for kids 3 – 5 years old, including a princess camp and a Disney villain musical camp.
• Creative Play Camp at Alliance Theatre: Alliance Theatre is offering both virtual and in-person summer camps for kids 3 – 5 years old, including creative play, arts explosion, and sing a story.

Exploration Camps for Preschoolers in Atlanta

You can’t go wrong with any of these camps if you have kids that love being outside, exploring nature, or hands-on learning.

• Zoo Atlanta: Zoo Atlanta’s Safari Camp: Summer Session includes a half-day session for kids 4 – 6 years old. They also offer scholarships. 
• Club SciKidz: Offers a variety of different science-themed exploration camps, such as dinosaurs and space, for preschoolers and kindergartners at several locations in the Metro Atlanta area. 
• Camp Kingfisher: The Chattahoochee Nature Center has summer camp programs for Owlets (4 years old) and Eastern Screech Owls (rising kindergarten and 1st graders). These half-day camps include swimming, animal encounters, and outdoor free play.

Enrichment Camps for Preschoolers in Atlanta

Many private schools and preschools in the Atlanta-Metro area offer enrichment summer camps that include a bit of all the above (arts, fitness, nature, and more). 

• Trinity School: This Atlanta private elementary school opens up summer camps to the public. They offer a variety of academic, specialty, and sports camps for kids starting at age 4. 
• Walker School: This Marietta private school offers both half-day and full-day summer camps for kids starting at age 3. 

Other Places to Consider

This is by no means an exhaustive list of camps for preschoolers in Atlanta. There are simply too many to include them all! In addition to the listings above, check your local YMCA. According to the YMCA website, “Preschool camps are available at some Ys for children younger than 5.”

Another place to look for camps is your local Parks and Recreation Department. For instance, the Roswell, GA Recreation, Parks, Historic, and Cultural Affairs Department offers tons of summer camps for the community, and many of these camps accept kids as young as 3 years old.

Tips for Parents

When choosing camps for preschoolers, there are some things to keep in mind. First, most camps do not accept children who have not been potty trained. If your little one is still in diapers, you might have to wait until next summer.

Next, check to see if the camp offers early drop-off or late pick-up. Parents who work may need to make special accommodations to get their children to and from camp. 

If your child struggles with separation anxiety, have a plan for how to handle drop-offs at a camp. Consider reading books about going to school, watching movies related to the camp’s theme, or taking a tour of the facility to prepare your little one.

Don’t Forget

If you need additional childcare during summer or just want a break now and then, check out SitterTree. Our qualified Atlanta babysitters are ready and willing to watch your kiddos so you can work, rest, or play.

Book a Summer Sitter Today

Enter Sitter Bucks code SUMMER21 when paying your first sitter to get $20 off.

Finally! Summer is here and babysitters and kids, alike, are ready to get outside. Good weather brings more opportunities for outdoor play. Whether pushing a stroller or riding bikes, the first step to a great Summer day is ensuring you are following these easy Summer Safety tips.

Safety at Every Job

• Helmets: Kids should always wear helmets when riding bikes, scooters, or anything with wheels. If the family does not provide helmets, find a safer activity! NO helmet = NO wheels
• Playground Safety: Always remain close enough to see and hear children at the playground! 
• Safe Eating: Follow these safe eating tips to prevent choking.

SitterTree Sitters – Safety Starts With You

1. Jobs: Only accept jobs booked through SitterTree
2. Payments: Only accept payments and tips through SitterTree
3. Location: Share your job location with a trusted friend 
4. Reviews: Review every job within 1 hour

Always call 9-1-1 for emergencies,
then call SitterTree Support.

Want a way to show a mom in your life she is loved? Book a babysitter and give her some much-needed time to herself.

Trust me, as a mom, there is nothing that would make me feel more loved than having someone offer to take care of the kids or arrange childcare. Just hearing the words, “Make plans with your friends. I’ll book the babysitter,” is enough to make me giddy. I’m not the only mom who feels this way.

11 Alive shared the results of a TGI Friday’s 2021 survey of the top four things moms requested this past Mother’s Day.

• 70 percent of moms want a day to themselves. 
• 51 percent of moms want a good night’s sleep. 
• 40 percent of moms want a self-care day (spa, manicure, massage). 
• 38 percent of moms want a night out with friends.

Do you know what all four of these most requested wants require? Childcare! 

Moms will accept a babysitting gift any day of the year – birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, holidays, or just because. 

Moms need time to themselves, and apps like SitterTree make it easy to help mom out by booking an Atlanta babysitter. 

Why Moms Need a Babysitter Now More Than Ever

It’s no secret that moms have handled the bulk of household responsibilities since time began. But we don’t want to throw dads under the bus. Dads have increasingly added more of these responsibilities to their to-do lists. 

According to a 2020 Gallup poll, “Although women remain more likely than men to perform most of the duties at home, this has declined in some cases over the past two decades.” 

Today’s dads are more involved in childcare than generations past, and they are more willing to help out around the house.

However, moms still carry the bulk of the household responsibilities. Moreover, moms carry what is referred to as the mental load.

Parent Map explains, “While the physical workload [is] closer to 50/50, the mental/managerial load [is] more 90/10, with mom bearing the brunt.”

This mental load refers to everything from choosing birthday presents to scheduling children’s activities and booking babysitters.

2020 Helped Shift Familial Responsibilities

One of the silver linings of 2020 was that families learned new ways to share the at-home workload. As many moms and dads were forced to work at home, take care of their children, and homeschool at the same time, it became necessary to delegate tasks effectively.

As a result, dads turned to helpful apps to make the at-home workload easier. They used apps to order groceries, get food delivered, receive homework help, and more. With the touch of a button, dads could book a babysitter and take care of dinner. 

These apps made it easy for dads to share the responsibility and ease mom’s mental load.

Want to Show Mom Some Love? Book the Babysitter!

We are approaching the end of the 2020-2021 school year, which is quite possibly the most stressful school year ever. 

Mom needs a break. Book a babysitter!

Once upon a time, dads may have been hesitant to contact a teenage neighbor to ask her to babysit (we get it). But SitterTree is designed so moms AND dads can book a babysitter safely.

The SitterTree app makes it just as easy to book a babysitter as it is to get food delivered.

Simply post a babysitting job, and then select your babysitter from a curated list of qualified (college-aged+) sitters near you. 

Plus, SitterTree makes it easy to give gift cards for babysitting, so grandparents, family, and friends can treat mom all year long. 

It only takes 30 seconds to say, “I love you.”

Featured Sitters

Every month, SitterTree features a babysitter that has been recognized as being ‘awesome’ by our family community.

December 17, 2020 – Jessica C.

Kennesaw State | Business Management

• SitterTree Sitter since Nov 2018
• 23 Favorited Families
• 5.00 ⭐ Rating
• 123 Jobs Completed

Jessica plans to start a children’s music studio next Spring. She also wants to open a Daycare one day.

I love the access to church jobs. I’ve learned so much from them. I also love that the families are screened before they can post jobs so I never feel nervous to walk into a stranger’s house.

I wish I had one. I love all of the families that have favorited me and would happily work for any of them whenever needed.

Like I said, no specific favorites. Although families that give clear, concise instructions are very appreciated.

Keep applying. I know it starts slow and we have all been there. Churches are also the best way to get started and learn the basic skills required for house jobs.