Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Finding a Babysitter with Sitter Pals {$25 Outback Steakhouse Gift Card Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Lori A!}

As parents, I think I can safely say that we all love our children more than we ever thought was going to be possible.

However, that doesn't mean that, in order to save our sanity, we don't all need a break once in a while. After all, being a mother doesn't mean that I don't miss being able to spend time seeing non-animated movies, having a dinner that doesn't involve straw cups or being in a fitting room and not having to take on and off clothes at a record speed.

In the time since we became parents, my husband and I have been fortunate to have a date night here or there or be able to leave our children with their grandparents for an overnight trip now and again. So why haven't we done more to find babysitters in our area? To be honest, I've never been sure where to look.

Considering the amount of research my husband and I do just to choose a dependable carpet cleaner, how would I ever pick someone to take care of the two aspects of my life that I care most about?

That's where Sitter Pals comes in.

Sitter PalsAmanda Armstrong is a mother of two busy children and a former television journalist turned budding entrepreneur. It wasn’t until the intersection of life’s circumstances and recognizing a problem parents face finding trusted sitters that the idea for her own business venture struck.

Placed on bed rest at 29 weeks pregnant with her second child and a 2-year-old daughter at home to care for, Amanda needed help while her husband was at work. Her baby sitterfriends jumped in by sharing their trusted sitters, knowing she was of no threat to their weekend plans. Their generosity gave Amanda the idea that if friends had the right platform to share sitters, everyone could Share and Take Care!

From that first idea to full-scale web development and launch of Sitter Pals, Amanda is passionately working to transform the way parents and trusted sitters connect... not only for herself, but for all moms juggling life and kids. By taking the type of questions that I always have when looking for a sitter (e.g. Where am I going to find someone? How am I going to know they're trustworthy?), Sitter Pals has those answers and more.

Essentially, here's how Sitter Pals works:
  • Parents invite their trusted sitters to join their secure online network.
  • Parents then invite their close friends, who invite their trusted sitters.
  • Now parents have a larger network of sitters they trust to search, book, and communicate with online.
  • Sitters join the networks of families they know and trust and those of their friends.
  • Sitters set their schedules to work when they want for families that they trust.
What does that all add up to? Sitter Pals being the safest, most convenient way to book trusted sitters!

This unique approach really does just make sense. Instead of fretting as to how and where to find a sitter that is not only reliable but also trusted (and not just trusted by anonymous recommendations, but by your friends), Sitter Pals brings all of the information that you need right into your own personal network.

Simply search and book your sitter right online and save yourself from wasting time as well as the hassle of a million phone calls or emails back and forth. You'll be on your way to having your schedule secured and your evening planned in no time!

By having access to a network of trusted sitters, you're able to take care of life, take care of work, and take care of fun faster, easier, and more conveniently. Visit Sitter Pals today to find out more! And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be even more prepared to head out for a date soon, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift card to Outback Steakhouse (also redeemable at PF Chang's and Fleming's Steakhouse) from Sitter Pals!

Outback Steakhouse giveawayTo enter to win: Tell me how you have found reliable sitters in the past OR why you need an upcoming date night!

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Sitter Pals on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $25 gift card to Outback Steakhouse to have date night courtesy of Sitter Pals! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/kaS1Ij #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on June 28th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Sitter Pals for providing a $25 Outback Steakhouse gift card for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

1003 comments:

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Jan said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/84708937777160193
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lori A. said...

daily tweet 6/25
https://twitter.com/#!/ljatwood/status/84755079797809152
ljatwood at gmail dot com

Lois S said...

tweet https://twitter.com/#!/ljshores/status/84788460933758976
ljsin2win-at-gmail-dot-com

Tammy said...

Grandparents are the best sitters!

JaneT said...

I found the best and most reliable baby sitter by calling my mom or my mother-in-law and it was free!!!

dfraley3 said...

daily tweet 6-26
http://twitter.com/#!/dfral/status/84881160534114304

jaybird76905 said...

thank you

Teresa said...

I tweeted this giveaway - @tssk10
tssk10(at)gmail(dot)com
http://twitter.com/#!/tssk10/status/84955927165411329

Shell Holland said...

http://twitter.com/#!/superschaley/status/85010144848642049

pickledseeds said...

I need a sitter so me and the hubby can have some time out on the town.

ksgillmore at yahoo dot com

dandmrobbins said...

I need a date night since we have a 4 month old and haven't had alone time yet.

Jolene said...

i've found sitters through friends and family members.

Caryn said...

I've found them by asking other moms in my playgroup

caryn9802 at yahoo dot com

Julieh said...

I recently had twins, so my husband and I could really use a night out to ourselves!honeypie411 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

entered

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

we let only family members babysit

Thank you for hosting this giveaway

Louis
schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

following @sitterpals on twitter @left_the_stars

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

I like Sitter Pals on facebook (Louis Here)

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

following you on twitter @left_the_stars
I tweeted your giveaway

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

Google Friends Connect - following your blog publicly as Louis

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

2
Google Friends Connect - following your blog publicly as Louis

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

I subscribed to your feed via google reader

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

♡♥♬ Raven In A Blue Room ♬♥♡ said...

2
I subscribed to your feed via google reader

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

Lois S said...

tweet https://twitter.com/#!/ljshores/status/85155868362014720
ljsin2win-at-gmail-dot-com

Linda said...

I found reliable sitters thru my friends and their recommendations.

Linda said...

follow on GFC #1

Linda said...

follow on GFC #2

Linda said...

email subscriber #1

Linda said...

email subscriber #2

Anonymous said...

Usually we trade off with friends who also have kids.

dangotmail AT yahoo DOT com

tattwo said...

My husband and I need a date night since we have been watching our budget very closely and hesitate to spend the money for dinner out. Thanks.

tattwo said...

Follow on twitter and tweet

https://twitter.com/#!/AZKarMa/status/85186587058634752

Mir said...

We need a date night because we haven't had one in over 6 months!

dfraley3 said...

daily tweet 6-27
http://twitter.com/#!/dfral/status/85252365883670528

Teresa said...

I tweeted this giveaway - @tssk10
tssk10(at)gmail(dot)com
http://twitter.com/#!/tssk10/status/85304736890363904

Shell Holland said...

http://twitter.com/#!/superschaley/status/85314373899386880

deb126 said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/deb126/status/85315712566034433

Lynn said...

mostly we have found sitters throught friends.

ckfrrt said...

My anniversary i June 30th and I haven't been out on a date night in months
carolkfoster at comcast dot net

ckfrrt said...

email subscriber
carolkfoster at comcast dot net

Stacy said...

We use family and family friends.

the imagine tree at aol dot com

Stacy said...

Entered Target / Pull Ups giveaway

the imagine tree at aol dot com

Ashley said...

We're fortunate to have family that live nearby, so they've always graciously volunteered their time.

ashaldridge (at) gmail (dot) com

Ashley said...

I Like you on FB (Ash Aldridge).

ashaldridge (at) gmail (dot) com

Erica C. said...

We use family friends & nieces to babysit. It's nice to have a lot of reliable people around.

Unknown said...

havent been on a date night in years
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

gfc follower 1
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

gfc follower 2
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/Gerisandoval/status/85426246900658176
heartnsoulcooking[at]gmail[dot]com

April said...

I've always just used our old neighbor and my best friend whenever we go away for a long time

Lubelle said...

Our pastor's daughter was the most reliable babysitter we ever had. If she couldn't sit with our children she would always recommend a close friend of hers that also went to our church.

chipper101[at]hotmail[dot]com

Lubelle said...

I follow on Twitter. (lubelle7)

Tweet
http://twitter.com/lubelle7/status/85466342744010752

chipper101[at]hotmail[dot]com

Lubelle said...

GFC follower. (lubelle)

chipper101[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jan said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/85494698042589184
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I have a 3 yr old daughter and am 8 months pregnant. I desperately need a date night. I'd love some alone time with my husband before the baby comes.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber. #1
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber. #2 jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I follow through Google Friend Connect. #1
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I follow through Google Friend Connect. #2
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I subscribe via Google Reader. #1
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I subscribe via Google Reader. #2
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I'm a facebook fan of Thanks, Mail Carrier under username Jennie Tilson. #1
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I'm a facebook fan of Thanks, Mail Carrier under username Jennie Tilson. #2
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Bob the Builder: The Big Dino Dig The Movie DVD giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Super Parachute Party from Gummy Lump giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Plow & Hearth giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the HearthSong giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the CleanItSupply.com giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Huggies/Target GC giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Think About Your Eyes/$25 Visa GC giveaway.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Kim (Randominities) said...

My parents and my in-laws were the only people we'd expect to take care of our babes.

Lois S said...

tweet https://twitter.com/#!/ljshores/status/85520552147693568
ljsin2win-at-gmail-dot-com

Debbie Kennedy said...

I entered the Fun in the Sun giveaway #20
cleaningrhouse at yahoo dot com

mendyd said...

http://twitter.com/#!/mendyd/status/85574262706024448

Angie said...

We are so lucky - grandma and grandpa always babysit for us!!

dfraley3 said...

daily tweet 6-28
http://twitter.com/#!/dfral/status/85610994319097856

Jessica said...

I would really love to find a sitter for date nights...right now we use my sister in law but I know we need to find another sitter.

deb126 said...

https://twitter.com/#!/deb126/status/85635862221692928

thanks again for the giveaway :)

Jessica said...

Like you on FB.

Jessica said...

I'm a fan on FB.

Shell Holland said...

http://twitter.com/#!/superschaley/status/85682731136192512

Deb said...

I usually work the neighborhood to find a sitter....ask friends and neighbors who they trust with their children.

Deb said...

I like sitter pals on Facebook
Debra Ford

Deb said...

following you and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/85699898334392321

Deb said...

I follow you on GFC.
2

Deb said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed with google reader

Deb said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed with google reader
2

Deb said...

I like you on Facebook
Debra Ford
2

Talina said...

We haven't had a date night since our anniversary last year, in july. Coming up on 9 years to celebrate but with baby #2 on the way and a 2yr old making the time for dates is kind of not priority :( talinanorris[at]gmail[dot]com

Talina said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/GiveawayQueen/status/85719283547652097

Talina said...

Following you on facebook (entry1)

Talina said...

following you on facebook (entry2)

Talina said...

Entered your little black dress contest already.

Talina said...

Entered your target card giveaway already.

Kristie said...

Our reliable sitters are the grandparents :-)

khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Tracysweetangl said...

I use someone that I know I can trust.

Tracysweetangl said...

email subscriber

mom2girls said...

I need a date out with my husband because it is out 12 wedding anniversary comming up, and because we rarely go out. We spend all of our time with our girls, one who has Aspergers and the other has ADHD - it is very hard to find someone to take care of them - and do it well. We go out alone perhaps three times a year, and those times are almost all during the day! My oldest is ten now, and I am really feeling the need to spend time alone with my husband.
tracyschultz@yahoo.com

mom2girls said...

I follow you on GFC as Tracy taylor post #1
tracyschultz@yahoo.com

mom2girls said...

I follow you on GFC as Tracy taylor post #2
tracyschultz@yahoo.com

wigget said...

entered llbd shop giveaway

Vanessa said...

We need a date night because my husband has been working 70+ hour weeks and is out of town this week for work. I miss him!!! vmvazquez83 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Our 12th anniversary is coming up in July. I'd love to take hubby out for date night! trinitygsd at yahoo dot ocm

susansmoaks said...

i get referrals for friends for a reliable sitter, but i use family more than anyone else
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

sumn said...

I need an upcoming date night because we've just had two deaths in the family. A nice relaxing, dinner at a restaurant sounds heavenly right now.

Unknown said...

My husband has been working out of state off and on so a date night whenever he comes home is a must!

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

Amy delong said...

only use my mom or inlaws for babysitting
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Amy delong said...

follow by gfc 1
amyd
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Amy delong said...

subscribe 2
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Stephanie Long said...

Asking family friends who have kids that are just now old enough that they don't need sitters means the family has some recently de-commissioned sitters to nab! And if the sitter has been with the family for a really long time then you know that they're really reliable!
stephieclong at gmaildotcom

Stephanie Long said...

I follow you on google friend connect,

stephieclong at gmaildotcom

Stephanie Long said...

I follow you on google friend connect!

stephieclong at gmaildotcom

Stephanie Long said...

I like sitterpals on facebook! fb name is Stephanie Sparkles,

stephieclong at gmaildotcom

Stephanie Long said...

I like sitterpals on facebook with the name "Stephanie Sparkles"

stephieclong at gmaildotcom

cman said...

We haven't gone on a date alone in over 10 years.

cman said...

I'm a GFC follower.

Katie Rose said...

I haven't been out alone on a date with my husband in around three years (it will be three years on the 27th of July, I know that for a fact since that was the day before my son was born). PLUS we just past our six year anniversary and my husband had to go away on business during it. I was home, alone, with two sick kids. No. Fun.

js22 said...

No kids, so I'll have to go with why I need a date night!
I'm unemployed, so we watch our pennies very carefully. We don't go out and have fun a lot. I spend most of my time at the library looking for jobs and entering giveaways. So a night out at Outback would be a wonderful change from our current monotony!
Thanks for the giveaway!

js22 said...

I Like Sitter Pals on Facebook-Joanne Schultz. http://www.facebook.com/js2222
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

i follow Sitter Pals on twitter - js22222222 .
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

i follow you on twitter - js22222222 .
tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/85840672648732673
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

#1
I follow your blog on google friends connect- Joanne Schultz .
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

#2
I follow your blog on google friends connect- Joanne Schultz .
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

#1
I subscribe to your blog's feed via google reader.
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

#2
I subscribe to your blog's feed via google reader.
email in blogger profile.

Teresa said...

I tweeted this giveaway - @tssk10
tssk10(at)gmail(dot)com
http://twitter.com/#!/tssk10/status/85835866706165760

Heather W said...

I have found reliable sitters by using the preschool teachers at our daycare
lovefool827 (at) yahoo (dotcom)

smdrm said...

I've found reliable sitters mainly through friends recommendations.

kg4rmt at arrl dot net

smdrm said...

I'm following you on Twitter as smdrm and I tweeted as directed:

http://twitter.com/#!/smdrm/status/85858150355443712

smdrm said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect as smdrm.

smdrm said...

I'm subscribed via Google Reader.

smdrm said...

I'm following you on Facebook as Selene Montgomery

Lori A. said...

daily tweet 6/28
https://twitter.com/#!/ljatwood/status/85866399666421761
ljatwood at gmail dot com

Katie said...

We are definitely in need of a date night, my husband travels for work so we need to take advantage of the time we are together!

thanks!
ulooooolu@gmail.com

Roxann said...

My parents always watched my kids. They are gone now but 3 of my kids are older and could watch our youngest if we go out.

Roxann said...

I follow Sitter Pals on Twitter.

Roxann said...

GFC follower. Entry #1

Roxann said...

GFC follower. Entry #2

mail4rosey said...

Oh my gosh, we're horrible, we haven't let anyone but our second-oldest child (he just turned 18) watch our toddler (who is 3).

With the older three kids, we lived close to my mom and we always let her babysit if we we're going out, and she loved it.

msurosey@yahoo.com

Roxann said...

Google reader subscriber. Entry #1

Roxann said...

Google reader subscriber. Entry #2

mail4rosey said...

E-mail subscriber. x2
msurosey@yahoo.com

Lois S said...

tweet https://twitter.com/#!/ljshores/status/85884698789818369
ljsin2win-at-gmail-dot-com

Roxann said...

I have your button. Entry # 1 http://adayinthelifeofatypoqueen.blogspot.com/

Roxann said...

I have your button. Entry # 2 http://adayinthelifeofatypoqueen.blogspot.com/

Roxann said...

I have your button. Entry # 3 http://adayinthelifeofatypoqueen.blogspot.com/

Betty C said...

I was fortunate to find a teenager living right next door. If she had problems she just called her mom to come over.

dlhaley said...

I have not been had a date night in many years. I would love to win.

dlhaley{AT}hotmail{DOT}com

Jan said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/85888819651543040
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

susan1215 said...

We found reliable sitters through our church

s2s2 at comcast dot net

susan1215 said...

follow via GFC #2

susan1215 said...

Like you on FB Susan Smith #1

susan1215 said...

I follow Sitter Pals on twitter
susan1215

susan1215 said...

Like Sitter Pals on FB Susan Smith

Sarah said...

I find sitters through friends, since we are the first of our friends to have a kid most of our friends will babysit for us :)

Sarah said...

like sponsor on fb

Sarah said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/skpowers3/status/85901954684952576

Sarah said...

fb fan 1
sarah bjo

Teresa said...

I entered the Target gc from Huggies giveaway.
tssk10(at)gmail(dot)com

Teresa said...

I entered the Bounty giveaway.
tssk10(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah said...

entered target gift card

Sarah said...

entered sportcraft

Sarah said...

entered safety 1st

spirit_kim said...

Me and mine are feeling the heat I guess, we need a night out to chill off and down.

spirit_kim said...

I am an email subscriber

Sarah said...

entered step 2

Sarah said...

entered essential swimwear

Sarah said...

entered bob the builder

Sarah said...

entered cars 2

liliesrnice said...

I'd love a night out because i've been unable to go out for fun in almost two years. Just can't afford it.

Tylerpants said...

I usually have family babysit my kids. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I'm a Sitter Pals fan on Facebook (Lisa L). tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I'm an email subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com 2

barblong said...

I need an upcoming date night with my hubby because we haven't had a night out together in months.

longbarb1@aol.com

Tylerpants said...

I'm a feed subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com 2

Tylerpants said...

I'm a GFC follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com 1

Tylerpants said...

I'm a GFC follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com 2

Tylerpants said...

I'm a fan on Facebook (Lisa L). tylerpants(at)gmail.com 1

Unknown said...

When I needed a sitter I had an arrangement with my friends to babysit my child and if they needed a sitter I would babysit. It worked out great because I met a lot of other parents at school who needed sitters too. garrettsambo@aol.com

Unknown said...

I like Sitter Pals on Facebook. garrettsambo@aol.com

/\Heather/\ said...

I don't think my husband and I have had a 'date' since we had kids! Eleven years, people!
heatherpooh (hotmail)

slehan said...

Need a date night out because money is tight and haven't had one for so long.
Thanks for the contest.

slehan said...

Twitter follow you: slehan
http://twitter.com/slehan/status/85925693363466240

lilyk said...

I need an upcoming date night because I would like to have a fun evening out.

slehan said...

1 GFC: slehan

slehan said...

2 GFC: slehan

lilyk said...

I follow Sitter Pals on Twitter under the username likwan.

lilyk said...

I follow Sitter Pals on Facebook under the username likwan.

lilyk said...

I entered the Target giveaway.

lilyk said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect.

lilyk said...

I subscribed by email.

lilyk said...

I follow you on Facebook under the username likwan.

lilyk said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. #2

lilyk said...

I subscribed by email. #2

lilyk said...

I follow you on Facebook under the username likwan. #2

slehan said...

1 FB like you: Slehan

slehan said...

2 FB like you: Slehan

slehan said...

1 subscribe RSS

Sand said...

We're going to a concert this summer and need a sitter then!

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