Best of Lei Chic 2008: Sitting Pretty

December 24, 2008

Site Staff,

As we get set to ring in 2009, Lei Chic is taking a look back into our archives and bringing you some of the best stories we published during 2008. Enjoy and see you next year!
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Originally published February 26, 2008

Just as you can teach a poi dog to sit, your actions influence the people in your life—and not just your male cage mate. That means your nasty habit of saying “no” when friends invite you to dinner or colleagues ask you to a networking pau hana, has probably got everyone trained to stop calling you at all.

Sitter City wants to banish the defeatist mantra “I’d love to, but I don’t have a babysitter,” from your life. Founded by iVillage babysitting expert Genevieve Thiers and modeled after online dating sites, their nationwide sitter-finding website allows parents and sitters to create an online profile, complete with photo, and search for matches using more than 30 criteria. Ease and safety are assured with a four-step screening process, obtainable references and background checks, and tools to post reviews, determine fair rates and prepare new hires.

A quick O‘ahu zip code babysitter search (they also have registered nannies, pet and house sitters, elder care providers and tutors) fetched 222 matches – which leaves zero reasons not to surprise friends with your own invitation.

Because it’s never too late to learn a new trick.