CHICAGO (PRWEB) April 22, 2020
Sittercity, America’s first online source for in-home care, is now offering virtual sitting, a tool that allows parents to hire a professional to engage with children virtually for short periods of time throughout the day. Virtual sittings can be used to assist kids with schoolwork, facilitate interactive games or simply keep them occupied so parents can have a small break to take conference calls, pay bills, do the dishes or connect with their spouse without interruption.
“When the COVID-19 crisis started to change our daily lives, we knew that many parents were left scrambling trying to figure out how to balance caring for their children and working from home,” said Elizabeth Harz, Sittercity CEO. “As a company full of working parents and former sitters, the transition to virtual sitting just made sense, so we immediately started providing resources and opportunities to match sitters with families virtually.”
Virtual sittings are ideal for kids who are able to engage and maintain a conversation on video platforms like Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts or FaceTime without distraction, typically around 5 years and older. Although sitters are not physically present, there are many virtual activities that sitters and parents can plan to keep children entertained and engaged, including online chess or checkers, 20 questions, art projects or, for older kids, simply discussing favorite books and movies to hold their interest for a one-hour session. Since virtual sittings are a custom experience, kids are more likely to be engaged than if they were participating in a virtual class or watching YouTube videos. Additionally, many child care professionals have education backgrounds, so virtual sitting can serve as a great resource to help children work through their schoolwork as parents take meetings and get work done. This support will be especially critical as more than half of all U.S. states will not have in-person school for the remainder of the school year.
“Technology has enabled so many wonderful things, but perhaps one of the greatest is the ability to connect with one another from a distance—particularly through video,” continued Harz. “Virtual sitting is a wonderful option that not only employs sitters, but allows parents to accomplish necessary tasks during these uncertain times.”
Virtual sitting jobs appear on Sittercity just like regular jobs, except they have a virtual sitting badge in the top left corner of the screen. Child care providers and families interested in virtual sitting can set up an account at sittercity.com. Families new to Sittercity will also receive 50 percent off their monthly membership fees through the end of April.
About Sittercity
Sittercity is a technology company on a mission to make child care finally work. We pioneered tech enabled child care in 2001, and we connect millions of parents with babysitters and nannies every year. Recently recognized as a 2018 Chicago Innovation Award winner and one of the best places to work by Crain’s and Built in Chicago, we are building a platform that is radically simplifying the way we find, book and pay for trusted care. Headquartered in Chicago, we serve families and caregivers nationwide.