by Christy Tanner

Created on: January 28, 2009   Last Updated: September 29, 2010

Parents have choices when deciding who to call before heading to the school gala the following Friday night. The most valuable input in the decision making process behind choosing a babysitter is listening to what Jane and Johnny said about each babysitter subsequent to her last appearance in the household. When the children answer Mom and Dad's question of what they did with the babysitter with a nonchalant, "Nothing" or "I don't remember," it usually means they played video games or watched TV. But when Jane can't stop talking about the office box the babysitter brought over, and Johnny is still reeling from his time learning how to fly the remote controlled plane, parents are more likely to save that babysitter's name in their Blackberrys.

Although many children are content sitting in front of the boob tube watching Sponge Bob antagonize Squidworth for the ten thousandth time while the babysitter sends text messages to her boyfriend all night, a prime opportunity is being missed. There is a teenager in the house, which, if she's a high quality babysitter, means new stories, new games, and new insights.

The best babysitters know that kids like playing with other people's toys more than their own. This means a babysitter's box is essential to gaining instant adoration. The babysitter's box should be filled with toys that are age and gender appropriate for the charges of the evening. The dollar store is full of inexpensive items that can fill the bill on a babysitter's budget.

For children 36 months and under it is important that the babysitter remember that young children like to put small items in their mouths, so small beads, buttons, and parts are to be avoided. Toys that make noise are usually a big hit with this age group because parents often keep these toys out of the toy bins (for obvious reasons.) Arts and crafts for 3 year olds should not be too complex or involve scissors. Glue, paint, and markers are great fun for young children, but should be monitored carefully to avoid ingestion or destruction of Mom's favorite ottoman.

Four and five year old children have started school and are learning about their imprint on this world. Their desire to create, build, and improve is strong; toys like blocks, Leggos, Lincoln Logs, coloring books, and puzzles can keep pre-k and kindergarten aged children entertained for hours. Also, although these kids probably have books of their own, new stories told by a new voice go over well, particularly when the books

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