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IN THE NEWS
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They took the "worry" out of being a mom!
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(February, 2002) -- "Just a few more things," Anne Van Thuyne of Newtown Pennsylvania, said, scribbling last minute notes to her sitter. But even as her husband tried to settle her nerves, Anne’s mind raced: What if the sitter can’t find the twins’ favorite blankets? What if there’s a fire?
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Anne’s nine-month old twins were fine while she was gone, and she guessed that her sitter would laugh at her nervous notes. Not so.
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"You really helped. When I couldn’t find the formula, I checked your notes," she thanked Anne.
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Inspired by Anne’s example, her sisters, Joan and Irene – both moms of three – started leaving super-detailed notes for their sitters, too.
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"If only there were a form to fill out that would cover everything," Anne mused one day.
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That gave Irene an idea. "Could we come up with a checklist for moms to fill out for their sitters?"
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The sisters loved the idea, and together, they designed forms, complete with everything a babysitter might need to know.
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There were fill-in-the-blanks for phobias, fire escape routes, how to work car seats - and little things like what time is bedtime. There were checklists for moms - Did you tell the sitter medication dosages and times? Where the thermometer is?
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Then Anne and her sisters put it all on a CD called Kid’s Klues – a computer program that allows parents to create their own personalized information guide for caregivers.
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And through trade shows and their website (www.kidsklues.com) they were flooded with orders!
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You thought of everything! wrote one mom.
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All I can say is, wow! wrote another.
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But one of the happiest "customers" is Joan herself. When she and her husband were out, one of their children came down with an ear infection. Thanks to Kid’s Klues, her sitter had the doctor’s number, driving directions ... and a signed medical release form!
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"We know nothing will ever put a moms' mind completely at ease," smiles Anne. "But hopefully, this will let them enjoy a night out – without worrying the whole time."
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