Maybe you always knew you’d wind up in Chicago. Maybe Chicago is the last place you thought you’d be when you started raising a family (insert raised hand here). In either case, Chicago is home now, and for me, the distance to my own family never felt as great as when I started having kids of my own.

While I still feel pangs of jealousy when I hear another mom talk about dropping off her kids at her sister’s house for impromptu afternoon cousin playdates or romantic long weekends away ...

Chicago-based artist and teacher Angela Oliver has over seven years of experience babysitting kids. Since joining UrbanSitter, an online babysitter-finding service, she’s sat for more than 35 families and has over 20 glowing reviews. Here, Angela answers the most common questions parents have when it comes to hiring a babysitter.

What’s the most helpful information a parent can share in advance?
First-aid and medical/emergency info and contacts, being made aware of any food allergie...

Congrats! You’ve hired a new babysitter. You feel like you’ve won the lottery, and you’re already dreaming of future date nights. You’re nervous about walking out the door that first time and leaving the sitter in charge, but you know she’s bright, fun, and more than capable. Your kids might not be so sure, though. If you’re anything like me, it can be easy to focus on emergency numbers and pantry items and forget to take time to get the kiddos settled with the new face in the house. My pr...

With summer winding down, are you ready for back to school? Here are 6 Tips to Help Your Family Ease Into the New School Year.

Plan and register for after-school activities. Classes and teams fill fast, deadlines are early, you need to figure out what activites are logistically possible. It’s especially important if you have multiple children. 

Research what activities are available, and talk to your child to gauge their interests.  Consider his personality. Go beyond the usual bal...

Give yourself a break this summer and hire a sitter to take over a day of pool duty, run the kids to the park or just spend an afternoon playing with them in your own backyard.  While summer gives kids a chance to let loose and have fun, it’s also when most accidents happen. Before you take off for your well-deserved time-away, make sure you communicate with your sitter the ins and outs of summer safety.  Don’t assume he or she knows what likely feels like second nature to you.   

Keep...

As a mom, does the word "summer" call to mind both joy and trepidation? Why not hire a babysitter and put your feet up for an afternoon or two each week? Summer sitters can be a welcome change for both parents and kids; someone young and energetic to splurge on ice cream and lead the charge to a museum or water park -- perfect!    

When you find your perfect summer sitter, here are a few activities around town that the kids are sure to love.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: ...