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Duo Pair Families And Babysitters

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 7, 2008

SWANN ESTATES - The most frequent question mothers pose to the founders of baby newsbits.com is where to find a good babysitter.

"People are very protective of their sitters," said Licette Lover, co-founder of the Web site, launched in August 2007 to connect parents with resources and one another.

For those who are new to the area and don't have a network of friends, finding a sitter from scratch can be challenging.

To connect families with a pool of potential sitters, Lover and co-founder Shannon Christaldi are hosting "Meet. Greet. Sit."

With a format based on speed dating, Saturday's event is expected to bring about 30 families and the same number of applicants to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Preschool, 501 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

"We wanted to think of a way of putting these two together," Christaldi said.

Retired and current teachers and high school and college students make up the 20 applicants who have submitted resumes to Lover and Christaldi. They have provided references but have not completed background checks.

Nadia Awaida, of College Nannies & Tutors, is providing 10 of her clients, each of whom has had a background check.

Families will have about two minutes to interview each candidate and about an hour of casual socializing. There also will be tips for picking a sitter.

"When you're a mom, you tend to prioritize your child and family first and you last," said Lover, who has a 3-year-old son and 19-month-old daughter and does marketing for HSN. "When you take an hour to get a manicure or a pedicure and you can breathe, you become a better person."

Christaldi, a former Mabry Elementary teacher, is the mother of two boys, ages 3 and 14 months. She has a regular weekly sitter, freeing her up to run to the grocery store and do other errands.

"For me, it makes me a better mother," Christaldi said. "It gives you time to be who you were before you became a mom."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "Meet. Greet. Sit." An opportunity for families to meet potential babysitters.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday

WHERE: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Preschool, 501 S. Dale Mabry Highway
COST: Free for sitters and $25 for parents; registration required for both

CONTACT: To register as a sitter or parent, go to

babynewsbits.com.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 835-2114 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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