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:

«Oldest   ‹Older   1 – 200 of 1003   Newer›   Newest»
Unknown said...

I'm getting married in July, so a date night would be great for our honeymoon!

ashleyborysewich @ gmail dot com

Amy and Luke said...

I haven't found reliable sitters! hah...that's why Gage is 19 mos. old and has only stayed w/ my parents! Checking out Sitter Pals now.

itnyreax@pwcs.edu

Amy and Luke said...

I follow you!

itnyreax@pwcs.edu

Amy and Luke said...

I follow you#2.

itnyreax@pwcs.edu

Amy and Luke said...

entered booster seat

smdrm said...

When I've needed sitters, I've used young people I know. Only used a professional once, and I was not satisfied.

kg4rmt at arrl dot net

smdrm said...

I entered the Chili's Triple Dipper Good Things Come in 3's Event {$20 Gift Card Giveaway}

smdrm said...

I follow you on Twitter and I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/#!/smdrm/status/78210550491922433

smdrm said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect as smdrm #1

smdrm said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect as smdrm #2

smdrm said...

I'm subscribed via Google Reader #1

smdrm said...

I'm subscribed via Google Reader #2

smdrm said...

I'm a fan on Facebook as Selene Montgomery

smdrm said...

I'm a fan on Facebook as Selene Montgomery #2

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

we've been so busy on house projects that we could use a night together!
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

follow sitter pals
on twitter brandylwilson
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

gfc 1
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

gfc 2
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

rss 1
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

email1
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

entered amex
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

entered safety 1st
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

entered chilis
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

entered BK card
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

Shell Holland said...

I need an upcoming date night because I'm so exhausted and I just need to get out of the house!

Shell Holland said...

following sitter pals on twitter @superschaley

Shell Holland said...

I like sitter pals on FB

Shell Holland said...

entered the country crock giveaway

Shell Holland said...

entered the chili's giveaway

Shell Holland said...

entered the 1-800-flowers giveaway

Shell Holland said...

entered the feelfitwear giveaway

Shell Holland said...

entered the 39dollarglasses giveaway

Shell Holland said...

entered the jennlinn giveaway

Shell Holland said...

entered the hapari giveaway

Shell Holland said...

following & tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/superschaley/status/78230834666151936

Shell Holland said...

following on gfc #1

Shell Holland said...

following on gfc #2

Shell Holland said...

subscribe via google reader #1

Shell Holland said...

subscribe via google reader #2

Shell Holland said...

subscribed to your emails #1

Shell Holland said...

subscribed to your emails #2

Shell Holland said...

facebook fan #1

Shell Holland said...

facebook fan #2

Tara said...

We need a date night because it's been too long!
tara.huff(at)gmail(dot)com

Tara said...

follow Sitter Pals on twitter @huffychic
tara.huff(at)gmail(dot)com

Tara said...

like Sitter Pals on facebook
tara.huff(at)gmail(dot)com

Tara said...

gfc follower
1
tara.huff(at)gmail(dot)com

Tara said...

rss subscriber 1
tara.huff(at)gmail(dot)com

Tara said...

rss subscriber 2
tara.huff(at)gmail(dot)com

Tara said...

facebook fan
1
tara.huff(at)gmail(dot)com

Stephanie said...

Have only had my mom watch the kids so no one reliable yet. She still works full-time so not available much and man, do we need a date!
tvollowitz at aol dot com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

through church usually mrs.mommyyatgmail

Meghan said...

I could so use a date night w/ the hubs. OUt of the last 12 months, he has only been home 4 months & with 3 kids, it's hard for us to be alone at all. Thanks for the graet giveaway!

Unknown said...

I always find my sitters through church, and now my daughter is old enough to babysit for datenights

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

NrdyGmrGrl said...

The hubby and I work completely different shifts, and as a result we don't get to see each other nearly as often as we would like. We could really use a night out!

skgaff said...

We find reliable sitters through our church nursery and youth group
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

follow sitter pals on twitter @skgaff
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

like sitter pals on facebook (stephanie gaffney)
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

follow you with gfc #1
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

follow you with gfc #2
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

subscribe to rss feed #1
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

subscribe to rss feed #2
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

subscribe by email #1
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

subscribe by email #2
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

like you on facebook (stephanie gaffney) #1
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

like you on facebook (stephanie gaffney) #2
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

BethElderton said...

My husband and I could really use a date night because we haven't had one in so long.
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said...

I'm following sitter pals on twitter as mbm218
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said...

I'm a gfc friend
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said...

I'm an email subscriber
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said...

I'm a gfc friend
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said...

I'm an email subscriber
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

We need a date night because I'm expecting a baby soon and I know we won't have much time for ourselves
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow through twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/jjak2003/status/78311893617483777
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow you through google friend connect
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow you through google friend connect 2
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail 2
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I'm your facebook fan (Jessica Miller)
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I'm your facebook fan (Jessica Miller)2
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I entered your Magic Cabin giveaway
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I entered your Mamas & Papas Morph baby carrier giveaway
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I entered your Chic Monkey Boutique gift card giveaway
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I entered your Safety 1st Complete Air car seat giveaway
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

With todays gas prices rising and other expenses; I think we as all of us could use a night out on the house so to speak. gabe411(at)hotmail(dot)com
spirit_kim

Anonymous said...

I am an email subscriber.
gabe411(at)hotmail(dot)com
spirit_kim

Anonymous said...

I have entered the Country Crock giveaway.
gabe411(at)hotmail(dot)com
spirit_kim

d schmidt said...

Previously I found reliable sitters through friends and family but since moving two years ago I have yet to leave our son with anyone.

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Following Sitter Pals on twitter as mummytotwoboys1
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Liked Sitter Pals on Facebook. I am D Schmidt
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Follower on twitter and tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/mummytotwoboys1/status/78322584831262720


mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

GFC Follower #1
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

GFC Follower #2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Feed subscriber #1
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Feed subscriber #2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Email subscriber #1
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Email subscriber #2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Like you on Facebook, I am D Schmidt

#1

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Like you on Facebook, I am D Schmidt

#2

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

Sassy said...

i am a single mom and could really use a night out to myself. Thank you for the giveaway.

sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

Sassy said...

i follow you via gfc

sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

Sassy said...

i follow via GFC #2

sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

JC said...

I need an upcoming date night because I have been working hard and need some free/fun time!

JC said...

follow Sitter Pals on Twitter @tcarolinep

JC said...

Like them on Facebook.@tcarolinep jessieKatie S

JC said...

http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/78328141180960768

JC said...

Google Friend Connect follower
1

JC said...

Google Friend Connect follower
2

JC said...

Rss feed subscriber
1

JC said...

Rss feed subscriber
2

JC said...

email subscriber
1

JC said...

email subscriber
2

JC said...

FB liker@tcarolinep jessieKatie S
1

JC said...

FB liker@tcarolinep jessieKatie S
2

JC said...

blogged.http://tcarolinep.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/finding-a-babysitter-with-sitter-pals-outback-steakhouse-gift-card-giveaway/
1

JC said...

blogged.http://tcarolinep.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/finding-a-babysitter-with-sitter-pals-outback-steakhouse-gift-card-giveaway/
2

JC said...

blogged.http://tcarolinep.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/finding-a-babysitter-with-sitter-pals-outback-steakhouse-gift-card-giveaway/
3

JC said...

entered Country crock giveaway

JC said...

entered chili's giveaway

JC said...

entered burger king giveaway

Kristen said...

Even though some people don't want to share their best sitters (!) I still think the best way is word of mouth.

Kristen said...

I follow on GFC (1)

Kristen said...

I follow on GFC (2)

Kristen said...

entered Chili's

Kristen said...

entered Burger King

Kristen said...

entered Magic Cabin

Kristen said...

entered AmEx/Country Crock

Kristen said...

entered Hamilton Beach

Marina D. said...

I need a date night because it's been months since I've been able to get out of the kitchen and have a fun night out!
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I subscribe to your email feed #1
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I subscribe to your email feed #2
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the NSF International Safe Grilling giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the FeelFitWear.com giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the Hamilton Beach giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the 39dollarGlasses giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the country crock giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the Chili's giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the 1-800-flowers giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the 1-800-flowers giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the burger king giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the Jenlinn.com giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the energizer ultimate photo giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Marina D. said...

I entered the sportcraft games giveaway
deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I found most of my sitters through family members.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Follow you on Twitter: rhoneygee
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/rhoneygee/status/78373316771053568

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

puye said...

When I've needed sitters, I've used young people I know

agnesye@hotmail.com

puye said...

I like Sitter Pals on facebook
agnesye@hotmail.com

puye said...

I entered $10 burger King Crown Card giveaway

agnesye@hotmail.com

puye said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect
agnesye@hotmail.com

puye said...

I like Thanks, Mail Carrier on facebook

agnesye@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I always relied on family for referrals. Thanks. irishluck1114@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Like your site on FB (Contest KAO). Thanks. irishluck1114@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Like your site on FB (Contest KAO). #2. Thanks. irishluck1114@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

E-mail subscriber. thanks. irishluck1114@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

E-mail subscriber. #2. Thanks. irishluck1114@yahoo.com

deb126 said...

I need a date night out because its been sooo long since we have had one its way overdue, I dont need a sitter because my kids are beyond that age but in the past we only used family members, I didnt trust anyone else with my kids or we just took them with us

thanks for the great giveaway

deb126 said...

following sitter pals on twitter
(deb126)

deb126 said...

I follow you on twitter
(deb126)

deb126 said...

I also entered the Hamilton Beach Personal Cup pod coffee maker
thanks again

deb126 said...

I also entered the NSF International safe grilling prize pack giveaway

thanks again

deb126 said...

tweeted

https://twitter.com/#!/deb126/status/78401399225987072

deb126 said...

I follow your blog via GFC

thanks again

deb126 said...

2
I follow your blog via GFC

thanks again

deb126 said...

I subscribe by email
debis126 at yahoo.com

thanks again

deb126 said...

I am face book fan
deb griffith berki

thanks again

deb126 said...

2
I am face book fan
deb griffith berki

thanks again

deb126 said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed

thanks again

deb126 said...

2
I subscribe to your RSS feed

thanks again

hale2005 said...

I need an upcoming date night for dinner with the family.


hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

follow Sitter Pals on Twitter
mrcheapo

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

Like Sitter Pals on FB.
mrcheapo

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

Following on twitter.
mrcheapo

tweet

http://twitter.com/#!/mrcheapo/status/78418245970964480

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

Following on GFC.
hale

entry #1

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

Subscribed on RSS Google reader.
mikeanderson203(at)juno(dot)com

entry #1

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

Subscribed on RSS Google reader.
mikeanderson203(at)juno(dot)com

entry #2

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

Fan on FB.
mrcheapo

entry #1

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

hale2005 said...

Fan on FB.
mrcheapo

entry #2

hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com

sweepmom said...

I usually use family for reliable sitters. On the occasions when that wasn't possible, I relied on friends or their teenage children.

Shell Holland said...

http://twitter.com/#!/superschaley/status/78437520932745216

Unknown said...

We need a date night because we haven't been alone without our 3 year old in a LONG time!

julie(at)3momsinone(dot)com

Unknown said...

Now following @SitterPals on Twitter! (I'm @BalancingMama)

Julie(at)3momsinone(dot)com

Unknown said...

Already a GFC follower

Julie(at)3momsinone(dot)com

Unknown said...

Entered the Country Crock giveaway for $200 AmEx GC

Julie(at)3momsinone(dot)com

Maude Lynn said...

I've mostly relied on family for babysitting!

Lois said...

Hi! :) Well, with the way I know I'm going to be feeling later, sure would love a date night in a place that I know is going to have air conditioning... Besides, I never tried Outback! :)

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

Lois said...

following by GFC, #1

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

Lois said...

following by GFC, #2

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

Lois said...

following by email, #1

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

Lois said...

following by email, #2

Lois
OV_099@yahoo.com

clynsg said...

I was lucky enough to have my sister living only a few blocks from me and she was my major child care provider. This was especially helpful since I often worked evenings and nights (rotating shifts can be a real pain if hunting for child care!).

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Entered the Country Crock giveaway.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Entered the Chili's giveaway.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Entered the 1-800 -flowers giveaway.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Entered the Summer Infant giveaway.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Entered the Burger King giveaway.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Entered the JenLinn giveaway.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Entered the Safety 1st giveaway.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Follower via GFC #1

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

clynsg said...

Follower via GFC #2.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

shelley said...

Me and my hubby could really use a date night. We are so busy with work, the kids, coaching the kids sports that it doesn't leave to much date time. This would be great for us!!

shelleymikey at gmail dot com

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