In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, schools, daycares and non-essential offices are closed in many places across the country. This means that, for many families, the kids and parents are at home together all day, every day. Although this can lead to more quality family time at night, there will definitely be times during the day when both parents need to be engaged with other responsibilities and can't watch the kids. That's where virtual babysitting can come in handy. Virtual babysitting might sound like something out of a movie, but it's a reality that many families are implementing right now during social distancing. In fact, according to Forbes, there's been a 700% increase in searches for virtual babysitting in the past month. So what exactly is it and how can you procure a virtual babysitter for your children? Woman's Day has all the answers. What is virtual babysitting? Virtual babysitting is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of a babysitter coming over to watch the kids in-person, they virtually visit via video chat over FaceTime, Zoom or Skype. During the video call, the babysitter can engage the kids by playing virtual games, like I-Spy and 20 Questions, or asking them about their day. The babysitter can also lead them in simple art projects. To have a safe and successful virtual babysitting session, the child who's being watched should be old enough to understand how video calls work and to engage with the sitter on the other end — probably around 5 years old. It's also important to note that, because virtual babysitting involves keeping a kid sitting still and engaged, the process works best in short sessions, rather than the longer multi-hour sessions babysitters usually do in person. Where can I find a virtual babysitter? There are several online child care services offering virtual babysitting services: SitterCityCare.com The Babysitting CompanyMinutes 4 MomsBroadway BabysittersYou can also go the old-fashioned route and ask your friends and family for referrals. Consider checking in with your Facebook friends so see if they know anyone who'd be a good fit for your children, or check in on the neighborhood connection site NextDoor to find someone in your neighborhood that you might even be able to continue working with in person after social distancing ends.
In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, schools, daycares and non-essential offices are closed in many places across the country. This means that, for many families, the kids and parents are at home together all day, every day. Although this can lead to more quality family time at night, there will definitely be times during the day when both parents need to be engaged with other responsibilities and can't watch the kids. That's where virtual babysitting can come in handy.
Virtual babysitting might sound like something out of a movie, but it's a reality that many families are implementing right now during social distancing. In fact, according to Forbes, there's been a in the past month. So what exactly is it and how can you procure a virtual babysitter for your children? Woman's Day has all the answers.
What is virtual babysitting?
Virtual babysitting is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of a babysitter coming over to watch the kids in-person, they virtually visit via video chat over FaceTime, Zoom or Skype. During the video call, the babysitter can engage the kids by playing , like I-Spy and 20 Questions, or asking them about their day. The babysitter can also lead them in simple .
To have a safe and successful virtual babysitting session, the child who's being watched should be old enough to understand how video calls work and to engage with the sitter on the other end — probably around 5 years old. It's also important to note that, because virtual babysitting involves keeping a kid sitting still and engaged, the process works best in short sessions, rather than the longer multi-hour sessions babysitters usually do in person.
Where can I find a virtual babysitter?
There are several online child care services offering virtual babysitting services:
You can also go the old-fashioned route and ask your friends and family for referrals. Consider checking in with your Facebook friends so see if they know anyone who'd be a good fit for your children, or check in on the neighborhood connection site to find someone in your neighborhood that you might even be able to continue working with in person after social distancing ends.
