Our family has done a lot of traveling through the years. Having three children has proved to be challenging at times while on vacation, especially when choosing a place to stay. The average hotel allows for 2 full or queen size beds. This means we have room for 4 people, but what about the 5th? We would often request a rollaway bed, but almost every hotel would tell us they couldn't allow a rollaway bed because it's a fire hazard if you have a room with 2 beds already. So, w

Sitterwise Guest Blog Contributor: Teri Meeks The changing of the seasons can also mean a new set of considerations or dangers for your pets. To help keep your dog or cat in good health this autumn, review the following safety tips. Yard and Garden Safety Fall is the time of year when people tend to clean up their yards. Keep in mind that there are many potential hazards out there for your pets. Focus on dog safety and cat safety by following these tips: - Store your lawn and

If you Google what a Doula is you get this answer: A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Most often the term doula refers to the birth doula or labor support companion. How Your Doula Will Work With You Before childbirth, a birth doula will typically: - Meet with you during your second or third trimester to get acquainted - Teac

San Diego is filled with museums, some you may not have even heard of. Whether you want to learn about ancient civilizations, aerospace science, or art, there’s a high chance you and your kids will love the list I've compiled below. Here is a list of 5 San Diego Museums you should check out: #5 San Diego Air and Space Museum Located in Historical Balboa Park, the Air and Space Museum is a great place for future pilots or astronauts. Even if you aren’t interested in that kind

There are a lot of restaurants in San Diego to choose from, but if you have kids you want to make sure you pick one that is family friendly. Here are a few of my favorite kid approved spots: Casa de Pico Casa de Pico has been one of my family's favorites for many years. The atmosphere is festive and the food is delicious. According to their website, your fiesta begins when you walk through the door. Whether dining in the gorgeous dining room filled with vivid colors and hand-

Sitterwise youth blogger, Cade Albert (age 12) You know those times when you’re trying to get things done but your kids are bored and driving you a little bit crazy? With the help of this list you’ll learn exactly what games your kids (and maybe even you!) will enjoy. #5 Dog Pile/Cat Stax This game is designed to test your puzzle skills. You can choose between Dog Pile or Cat Stax and the object is to arrange the shapes in different patterns until they fit on the board. You

What's your favorite age to work with and why? Any age! I love a child's enthusiasm for new things and willingness to learn. It’s amazing to see the little things that make a child’s world so exciting! What do you enjoy most about being a Sitterwise sitter? I love that you get to be a tourist and explore the wonderful city of San Diego. Getting to see the various communities, hotels and sites while of course spending time with kids which makes it more exciting! And most impo

Do you remember the days when you could spend an hour reading a book, gardening, or just walking around Target undisturbed? Have those days been lost since your child was identified with Autism? Well, this does not have to be the case. Self-care is hugely important for all parents, especially those parenting children with unique needs. In order to serve your family well, it is crucial that special needs parents take time to refocus and recharge. Research confirms that with re

Are you looking for a fun place to take the kids? Read below and see what Sitterwise Sitter, Jackie L. has to say about the San Digeo Waterfront Park. The Waterfront Park is an excellent place to bring kids of all ages downtown for a great outdoor activity! There was endless fun to be had as we played in the shallow waters (nice and safe for smaller children) and the various play structures. I was able to take the 18 mo old I was recently watching and he had a blast in the wa

How long have you been a Sitterwise sitter? Just over a year now. What's your favorite age to work with and why? I love school age kids. I love that you can do crafts and science projects with them. That they have a great imagination and are always willing to try new things and games. What do you enjoy most about being a Sitterwise sitter? Its the best second job anyone could ask for. You get to work fun events and meet some great kids from all over and work with other great

Sure, the little packets can be handy in a pinch, but what about making some REAL hot chocolate with the kids this holiday season? It really only takes a few extra minutes to bring some homemade holiday cheer to you and your kids. Here's all you need: 4 cups of milk 1/3 cup granulated sugar 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract Just a pinch of salt Marshmallows Chocolate syrup Three steps to become the holiday parent of the year: 1. Heat milk in medium saucepan u

It can be pretty intimidating to find a babysitter in a new city, or when you don’t have a lot of friends and family around. Often, the obvious resource to turn to for help is an online database of babysitter’s profiles. These may or may not be accurate, and trusting someone with your child is a huge decision. Here are three questions you should ask when choosing a babysitter for your child. Has a background check been done on the babysitter? While many online services will r

Guest blogger: Julia Merrill Having your first child is an intense and exciting time. However, between midnight feedings and diaper changes, there’s little time for anything else. But you mustn’t forget to care for yourself while you care for your bouncing bundle of joy. Here are five ways to keep your own health and sanity intact. Sleep While babies sleep, according to Parents, for up to 17 hours each day/night, it can seem as though they are awake at all hours. Infants only

A road trip through California is undoubtedly one of the best road trips for sightseeing with the family. Not to mention all of the fun activities and attractions you can do on the trip. Let’s start our ultimate family-friendly California road trip in San Diego and end up in San Francisco with a few more stops along the way! Belmont Park If you’re starting this adventure in San Diego, excite the family by having fun even before you load up the car! The historic Belmont Park i

How long have you been a Sitterwise sitter? 2 years What's your favorite age to work with and why? Definitely toddlers - they always have something funny to say!! What do you enjoy most about being a Sitterwise sitter? Being able to meet tons of interesting and fun families from all over the world. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Every language in the world - how cool would that be?! When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Journal

Even for San Diego locals, our area can be overwhelming! So many things to see, so many places to go, and how can we ever fit it into a weekend trip or a three-day "staycation"? It's easy to get so distracted by the possibilities that we end up making no plans at all and winging it, or (worse) just staying home. McLandia to the rescue! Husband and wife team Kristen and Adam McLane were new to the area a few years ago when they realized the need for a quick, easy guide to c

Guest Blog Contributor: Julia Merrill Nothing puts a damper on your family’s day like sleep deprivation. The effects of a poor night’s sleep go beyond grogginess and yawning. It can affect your family’s abilities to concentrate at work and school. Sleep deprivation is also connected to memory problems, mood swings and increased accidents. Without enough sleep, your family members may experience increased blood pressure, weakened immune systems, and weight gain. Children who a

We know kids love playdough. You know what else they love? Making homemade playdough! Instead of a quick run to the store, take a short walk to the pantry and make it yourself. These everyday ingredients make it simple to let the kids get their hands dirty as they help! Ingredients: 1 cup water 1 cup flour ½ cup salt 2 tablespoons cream of tartar 1 tablespoon oil Food coloring Step 1: Mix all ingredients together in a pan and heat on stove. Step 2: Stir until it turns into do

Corporate events are full of details . . . locations, meeting rooms, meals, flights, rental cars, activities . . . the list goes on.  If you've been tasked with creating an off-site experience, you're up to your eyeballs in details, and the last thing you need is to think about kids! But then someone asks about childcare. It would be easy to sweep this one under the rug as too much trouble, but could making your event family friendly actually increase attendance? We find t

How long have you been a Sitterwise sitter? It's been more than 1 year already! What's your favorite age to work with and why? This is a tough question. I enjoy working with all ages but one in particular that I would prefer is the three-year-olds. They are full of energy and by the age of three you can have a conversation with them and the words that come out of them are pretty funny and amazing. What do you enjoy most about being a Sitterwise sitter? There are many thi