Are you looking for perfect personalized gifts for the Holidays?  The Stork Store has a large selection of gifts from piggy banks to step stools that are still available for holiday delivery.  All of our gifts are personalized with the child’s name and a special design.

Order by tonight, December 14th for guaranteed Christmas delivery using ground shipping. Express delivery deadline is Friday, December 16th.

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook to receive special discounts available only to our Friends.  Happy Shopping!

Anyone can be a babysitter, but not everyone can be a great babysitter.  To be a super babysitter that parents wants to hire, there are a few easy rules to follow.  If you follow these easy tips to be a great babysitter, parents will be knocking at your door every Saturday night.  Not only will you make some great “kid” friends, but you will be earning your spending money for the week.  Here are the babysitting tips that parents wish every sitter knows.

1. Arrive on Time/Be Ready for Pick up:  Parents are usually running on a tight schedule to either make a dinner reservation, movie show time or meeting.  Please don’t keep the parents waiting.  If you are driving to the house, arrive a minute or two early so the parents don’t worry.  If they are picking you up, be ready by the door.  When they beep, you will already have everything you need by the door so you can grab your stuff and go.

2. Be Friendly and Social: Parents usually have a few people on their babysitting call list.  To be the first one called, be social and engaging.  Talk to both the parents and the children and show them how much you enjoy their company.  Engage in conversations and be relaxed around the parents (even if you have to fake it!).  It is always awkward when the babysitter is quiet and seems to be waiting for the parents to leave.

3. Engage the Children When You First Walk In: Whether you realize it or not, parents are observing how you interact with their children from the moment you walk in the door.  Go right over to the children and talk with them.  Ask how their day was or what the children would like to play.  Parents want to feel that they are leaving their children with a fun and playful babysitter, not one that will be on their phone all night. By the way, don’t answer your cell or text when the parents are home.  It’s best to put the phone down when you are sitting, but we understand an occasional text is necessary.

4. Ask for Emergency Numbers and Plans: Be sure to have all of the phone numbers you need to watch the children.  This will include the parents cell phone numbers, doctor number and any other emergency contact the parent may have.  Double check if the children have any allergies or anything you need to be aware of medically.  If you’re not sure what time the parents are coming home, you can ask in a general manner about what time you can expect them home.  Parents can purchase babysitter pads that have most of the information already filled in.  This will make everyone’s lives easier!

5.  Schedules and Routines: Ask the parents for the children’s schedule and routines that you may need to follow.  If it’s bedtime, most children have a regular nighttime routine.  It’s easier for you and for the kids if you follow the set schedule.  Be respectful to the parents and follow the rules they’ve set out for you.  And for the first few times sitting, don’t give in to the children’s demands.  Make sure they understand that you are in charge and you make the rules when the parents are out of the house.  After you have a good relationship with the children and you understand each other, it’s easier to vary the routine in a positive way.

6. Be an Active Participant: Children LOVE it when you play with them.  If you want to be asked back as a regular babysitter.  Make your time at the house “fun”.  Turn off the TV and video games and engage in good old fashion fun.  Pull out a board game or play a game of Simon Says.  Ask the kids to show you their favorite games and activities.  The kids will love you for playing with them and beg the parents to have you back again.

7. Clean up: The most common babysitter error that grates on parents’ nerves is coming home to a messy house.  After the kids are in bed, do a quick check of the house.  Put the cushions back on the couch, clean up the toys and put away the games you played.  Most of all, put the dinner dishes in the sink.  If you want bonus points, either wash the dishes or put them in the dishwasher. Parents will be amazed when they come home and see their house is back in order.  This will get you a return visit for sure!

Extra Babysitting tips:

1. Take a CPR/First Aid Class
2. Don’t call the parents unless it is absolutely necessary
3. Prevent the kids from calling the parents unless necessary
4. Bring a fun game/toy from your house to play with the kids.  You can bring it back home and entice them with it on the next visit
5. Don’t have friends come over while you are sitting
6. Don’t spend the time on the phone/texting
7. It’s obvious, but needs to be stated, Don’t go through the adult’s personal drawers or medicine cabinet

Good luck and enjoy the babysitting experience.  Hopefully, these tips will put you on the right track to becoming an amazing babysitter!

Celebrity moms and every day moms continue to agree that the Personalized Initial Name Necklace still ranks as their top jewelry pick.  From Sandra Bullock to Nicole Richie, moms everywhere continue to sport the personalized necklace.  The coin necklace is an individual circle with either one initial or the full child’s name stamped in the center.  Moms have been seen wearing a single coin to several coins depending on the number of children they have or if they’ve included their spouse on a coin.

The simplicity of the design makes the personalized necklace a great Christmas gift or Mother’s Day Gift.  The coin is created out of sterling silver or gold and can be further personalized by adding birthstones for each child.  We carry a large selection of personalized coins to fit every personality and style.  Click to shop our full line of hand stamped personalized name necklaces.