Sitters Get Into the Giving Spirit!

The Seminole Sitters sponsored a dozen children this year through the Guardian ad Litem program, aged 14 months to 16 years. Eleven of the children were boys, as the program's contact informed us that there was a deep need for little boys to be "adopted" this Christmas.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem program speaks for abused and neglected children in court. It's difficult for children to testify against their own parents, especially when the parent-in-question is in the same courtroom. An advocate from the GaL program is granted time alone with the child to hear their story, and then speaks in their place during the hearing.

Seminole Sitter Lisa-Marie is a former Guardian ad Litem, and encouraged the others, writing "You guys have no idea how much this makes these kids' day - their year. My child was crying; he was so happy with the gifts he got." Without these gifts, many of the children being assisted by GaL would have a very lonely and empty Christmas.

If you are interested in getting involved with the local Guardian ad Litem program, they are always seeking volunteers.

Congrats to Ms. Lindsey E.!

Ms. Lindsey E. received word last weekend that she'd been accepted into the nursing program at Southwest Georgia Technical College, in Thomasville! She'll be pursuing her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, slotted to graduate in July 2011.

A week from today, on December 12th, she'll graduate from Florida State with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.

Congrats, Lindsey!

Stranger Danger!

There have been three suspicious incidents in the area in the past 72 hours - please be on high alert, and ensure your children know what to do if approached by a stranger.

The following are some recommendations from the Leon County Sheriff's Office about child safety:

Parents are urged to teach your children not to talk with strangers.

Children should not approach a motor vehicle for someone asking directions, or asking if they need a ride.

If a stranger does approach your child, tell them to remember the description of the motor vehicle and to report this information immediately to a trusted adult.

Parents should talk to their children about dangerous situations, and give them these easy-to-remember safety instructions:

1. If a stranger asks you or help or to keep a "secret," it could be a dangerous situation. Say no and tell a parent or trusted adult.
2. Trust your instincts. If you feel scared or uncomfortable, get away from the situation. Make an excuse or just run away, and go to a safe place.
3. Know what to do. Think "No, Go, Yell, Tell." If you're in a dangerous situation, say no, run away, yell as loud as you can, and tell a trusted adult.
4. Ask your parents first. If a stranger invites you to go somewhere, offers you a gift, or just wants to talk, say you need to ask your parents' permission first.
5. Stick with friends. It's always safer to play in a group. Don't let your friends go into a dangerous situation either - no, go, yell, tell!

Urgent: Suspicious Incident Locally

Suspicious Incident Raises Awareness

Yesterday, just before 7:00PM, the Tallahassee Police Department received a phone call in reference to a suspicious incident that occurred after a local peewee football practice. The caller, identified as the football coach, indicated that one of his ten-year-old players was leaving practice (Gilchrist Elementary School), when a white male stranger offered the boy a ride home. The boy refused and the stranger fled as the coach neared the vehicle. Accompanying the man inside the vehicle was a white female, who appeared to be approximately 5 years of age. The girl has blue eyes and was wearing a pink dress. Based on information received, the girl did not appear to be distressed.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the above event to contact the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS (8477).

Suspect Description: White male, 25-30 years of age, brown or black 'spiked' hair, and wearing reading type glasses.
Vehicle Description: Large white pickup truck, possibly a Ford F-250 type vehicle.
Contact: David McCranie, Public Information Office, (850) 891-4255

"Adopt" a Child for the Holidays

A good friend of ours, Angie Pichard, works with the Guardian Ad Litem program. She says they have over 500 children this year, and deeply need individuals and businesses to step up and sponsor a child for the holidays.

The Sitters are stepping up one-by-one to sponsor children, and we want to encourage you to do the same. It's very simple, and inexpensive:

1. Pick a boy or a girl (they have a large need for boys to be sponsored).
2. Pick an age group: 0-5, 6-9, 10-12, or 13-17.
3. Angie has a "wish list" for each child, and you'd be asked to help put something together for them in time for the holidays.

It's such a small thing to do for a little one in need. Please E-mail Angie at alpichard@hotmail.com and let her know we sent you.

FREE Regal Family Film Festivals

It's summer, and that means free movies at the Regal theatre by Governor's Square Mall!

I tried to go to one last year...  Let me say, if you don't have a patient child (or a knack for keeping them entertained) - it may be worth it to watch a movie at home, or pay for the theatre experience.

"Free movies" = CROWDS!  Plan on arriving an hour early, or being turned away by the "Theatres Full" sign.  :(

That said - here's this season's schedule!

You have your choice of G or PG movies, and each are shown once daily on the Tuesday and Wednesday of each week.  Doors open at 9:15am, and the show starts at 10am.  Again, arrive early!

June 2 & 3 - Horton Hears A Who (G) / Nim's Island (PG) June 9 & 10 - Curious George (G) / Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)

June 16 & 17 - Mr. Magorium (G) / Water Horse (PG)

June 23 & 24 - Mr. Bean's Holiday (G) / Madagascar 2 (PG)

June 30 & July 1 - Arctic Tale 1 (G) / Igor (PG)

July 7 & 8 - Everybody's Hero (G) / Kung Fu Panda (PG)

July 14 & 15 - Charlotte's Web (G) / Shrek the Third (PG)

July 21 & 22 - Tale of Despereaux (G) / Bee Movie (PG)

A Shared Spotlight

I think we have the best Chamber of Commerce around, and I'm not just saying that because we won "Emerging Business of the Year" this past Tuesday.

My family lives in South Florida, and my mom has been on one of their Chambers' Board of Directors for years now, representing her city's police department.  (Wish TPD would do the same!)  When I tell her about how our local Chamber supports Tallahassee businesses, she's floored.  (And admittedly, kidnaps some ideas and brings them to her Chamber!)

I called her today to talk about all the press that's been buzzing about us this week, and how many phone calls and E-mails I've tried to keep up with, despite all phone and Internet lines being down for 48 hours due to our torrential rain.  When I was able to access our E-mail again, there was a congratulatory message from Allie at the Chamber, outlining even more perks of winning the award: free access for a year to their evening networking events, an enhanced listing on the Chamber website, and even a special new nametag!  (Ooh!)

I feel like I've been getting the royal treatment this week - from the Chamber, the families we serve, and even my Sitters.  The spotlight is wonderful, but I can't help feel like it's misdirected, and I'm taking the credit that my Sitters deserve.

I don't say that to be humble or sweet - I really mean it.  They're on the "front lines," ensuring that parents are happy, and kids have clean noses and tushies.  They put up with my stressed-out days, enough to still love me on my "let's go out and eat together" days.  They don't hold it against me when I have to make scheduling choices that they wouldn't have chosen for themselves.  And I've yet to see any of them get "comfortable" in their jobs, and sit back - they push themselves to learn more about child development, take the extra step to build a personal relationship with moms and dads, and really make the time they spend with kids important.  They recognize the importance of their service - and I want them to be recognized, too.

I'm the one that sits at a laptop, writes blogs and E-mails, and signs checks.  They're truly amazing, and the only hand I've had in it was recognizing in each of them that I just HAD to have them on staff.

I'm surrounded by amazing people:

• those at the Chamber who place opportunities closer to each local business's reach,
• those who have supported me (Stephanie at Mama & Baby LOVE and those at Onyx Group)
  
• those who make it happen (the Sitters - always the Sitters)

"I work with wonderful people who support me.  And, my beliefs are that the business needs to serve the family rather than the family serve the business."

- Kathy Ireland

Tallahassee, thank you for letting us serve your families.  You've made it possible for each of the Sitters to have schedules flexible enough to finish school, and to devote time to their own children and grandchildren!  We're so honored!

Summer Discount - Only for June!

It's the last week of school! What are you and the munchkins going to do with all that extra time?

Whether you've signed them up for some of Tallahassee's amazing summer camps or not, we're offering a discounted rate for the entire month of June! Take advantage of this summer deal for your Date Night, a trip to the gym, or to have someone to play with the kids while you're running errands or taking care of chores.

Tell us where you saw this announcement, and we'll give you $1 off per hour...per child!

We care for children aged newborn to 12 years old, and are here to serve you 24/7.

Learn more about booking a Sitter here - for the summer, we'll need only a week's notice instead of our usual two!

Lindsey B. admitted to Nursing School!

On August 24th, one of our Sitters, Lindsey B., will begin attending Lively Technical School for the LPN Nursing program.  She was one of 84 applicants admitted to the 36-seat class.  As it's a 14-month program with limited breaks, she hopes to graduate in October of 2010.

Before even being allowed to apply, Lindsey needed to take a general education test and score at least a 60%; she got a 95%!  She was exempt from the adult education exam, due to her high scores on the SAT and ACT.  With the application, she was required to submit three references, a personal essay detailing the reasons behind her desire to attend, a clean bill of health, and in her words, "PRAYER!"

She said, "I got through the first screening where they basically weed out the people that didn't score high enough on the tests.  The last step was to attend a meeting with the Health Board at the school and they grilled me about why I wanted to be in, and what I would do with my degree.  Apparently I impressed because I got in!"

She now has an August deadline to submit to background checks, update her shots, and buy some scrubs!  She'll be donning said scrubs from 8:00am-3:00pm Monday-Thursday, starting Day One, all the way through graduation.  After her third month in the program, she'll begin clinicals at TMH and Capital Regional Medical Center.

After a year of academic delays and setbacks, we are SO PROUD of her.  Lindsey is an awesome Sitter, and we know she's going to make a wonderful nurse - we look forward to following her successes as she continues to build relationships with our families, and makes new connections and advances in the healthcare industry.

FREE "Cloth Diapers 101" Workshop

“Cloth Diapers 101” Workshop
@ Best Beginnings Boutique
5/16/09 (Sat)
1-2 pm
Chance to win a FREE Fuzzi Bunz diaper!

During these tough economical times, families are looking for ways to save money. Did you know that you can save over $1,000 just by switching to cloth diapers?

With more awareness of harmful toys and chemicals in skin care products for our babies, did you know that dioxin, a proven cancer-causing chemical, is found in disposable diapers? Even if you have to use disposable diapers in child care, why not give your baby a break in the evenings and weekends by using cloth diapers?

Please come join Jen Starks, owner of the new Ecological Babies, and learn all there is to know about using cloth diapers. No pressure to commit or purchase and the event is FREE to attend. Those who are experts in cloth diapers are welcome to attend to share their tried and true wisdom.

Visit their website at www.ecologicalbabies.com or email them at ecologicalbabies@gmail.com for more information.

Tweet!

Follow us on Twitter! We'll return the favor. ;)

http://www.twitter.com/SeminoleSitters

We're a 2009 SBEA Finalist!

The Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists for the 2009 Small Business Excellence Awards today, and Seminole Sitters is among the three chosen for the "Emerging Business of the Year" category!

Winners will be announced Tuesday, June 2nd at the awards banquet held at the University Center Club from 11:30am-1:30pm. Tickets can be purchased here for $45.

We also want to congratulate some other finalists we've come to know and trust:

• Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPA's (Small Business of the Year, 31-99 Employees)
• Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend (Non-Profit Business of the Year)
• Keith McNeil Plumbing Contractors, Inc. (Small Business of the Year, 31-99 Employees)
  

Free Child Safety Kit

Wanted to share a freebie I found today, offered by the Polly Klaas Foundation.

From the website:

24 pages of guidance for parents. Teach abduction prevention without scaring your child (or yourself). Includes Fingerprint/DNA ID Documents to record your child's personal information--in the privacy of your home.

Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for delivery.

Fill out the form here and click "send" - optional sign-up to receive reminders when it's time to update your child's ID Document.

RECALL: ExerSaucer Triple Fun activity centers

Evenflo Co. Inc. is voluntarily recalling 213,000 of its toddler-activity centers after faulty end caps injured 10 children, including a Canadian youngster who suffered a broken collarbone.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said consumers should stop using the product and contact Evenflo for a free replacement end cap. To obtain the cap, call Evenflo at 800-233-5921 or go to exersaucertriplefun.com.

The recall involves the Ohio-based company's ExerSaucer Triple Fun activity centers made between October 2006 and December 2008 in the United States. The model number is 6231711.

The products were sold at major retailers nationwide, including Toys 'R Us, from October 2006 through this month for about $120.

For information on the recall, or to report problems with other products, call the CPSC at 800-233-5921 or go to cpsc.gov.Source: Sun-Sentinel, February 22

Congrats to Christa and Danny!

One of our former Sitters, Ms. Christa, is engaged! Congratulations to both of you!

Norwalk Virus outbreak in Florida / Tallahassee??

It seems there's been an outbreak of the Norwalk Virus in Florida. I've seen this over the past week, and recently one of our Sitters cued me in to something her mom (a nurse) said to her. Outbreak may have started in Walt Disney World, actually -- people coming and going from all over the world, then returning home and bringing whatever germies they caught in Orlando with them.

We've seen at least seven families and three of our own Sitters come down with a nasty "stomach bug" last week, and one more family today. Usually starts with the kids, and is passed on to mom and dad. Starts with frequent heavy vomiting, then progresses to diarrhea. Lasts about five days.

Not deadly, just really renders you unable to do much else for a while.

Foodborne and can also be transmitted in contaminated feces -- best defense is a healthy immune system, frequent and thorough hand-washing (hottest water you can handle for 30+ seconds), and avoidance of sick persons as it's highly contagious. Caregivers and those in contact with children at nurseries / daycares / schools are going to be especially susceptible. Be healthy!

WebMD's overview: http://children.webmd.com/tc/noroviruses-topic-overview
One of our familes' personal experience (mom, dad, and triplet infants): http://teamdarnell.blogspot.com/

V-Day

Valentine's Day is approaching, and at the time of this blog entry, we only have FOUR available Sitters left. If you'd like to book a Sitter for a Valentine's night out - now's the time! :)

RECALL: Stork Craft Cribs

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 535,000 Stork Craft cribs are being recalled due to the entrapment and suffocation risk they pose.

I tried going to the Stork Craft website, but it did not load, and I assume it is inundated with parents trying to access the site as well. Instead, here's a link to the CPSC's page for more details on this recall: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09093.html.

Customers can contact Stork Craft toll free at (866) 361-3321 to receive a free replacement kit, with new mattress support brackets.

Thank you, Kelly Stallins, for bringing this to our attention!

Car seats & car accidents: where do we draw the line?

One of our mothers and her 17-month-old daughter were in a car accident Wednesday evening, when another motorist hit them. Thankfully it was a minor car accident, but she was left wondering whether her car seat needed to be replaced.

When in a car accident, how do we know whether or not the car seat is still useable? Where's the line between a minor accident or fender-bender, and a trip to the store to purchase a new car seat?

This is from Britax's FAQ page, under "General Questions":

Q. What should I do with my child seat that has been involved in a crash?

A. Britax recommends that the use of a child seat be discontinued if it has been in a severe crash. We further advise of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) position that it is not necessary to replace a child seat after a minor crash. A minor crash is one that meets ALL of following criteria:

• The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
  
• The vehicle door nearest the child restraint was undamaged;
  
• There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
  
• The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
  
• There is no visible damage to the child seat.

~~

On a related note, as important as determining whether your car seat is still useable, it needs to be installed properly. 

The Tallahassee Police Department offers a weekly service where they will check or install a car seat for you!  There is no need to call ahead or schedule an appointment - you can find a certified car seat inspector/installer behind the police department near Lake Ella (on the side behind/next to the Circle K facing Monroe Street) every Wednesday morning at 10:00am!