What Would The Babysitters Club Do?

0

babysitters Club

Anyone who grew up in the late eighties/early nineties must have read at least one Babysitters Club book by Ann M. Martin. But to some of us – cough, ok me they were like old friends that I felt I knew inside and out. I’ll admit to being mildly obsessed with this series growing up and turns out it was for a very good reason. These girls could teach us a thing or two about being a mom. And not just any old mom – a mom with some awesome, child rearing skills.

They Were the Original “Moms” Group. Am I right? Four different girls (eventually expands to ten) chatting around the room about their “children!” One of the things I loved most about this series is that each character had a distinct point of view and you could always find traits in each of them that were relatable. I always fancied myself a “Stacey” or a “Claudia” but truth be told at times was more like a “Mary Anne.” Nothing was better than the coveted Super Specials where we got to experience the story through everybody’s eyes including the minor characters of Stoneybrook. Hmmmm . . . sounds almost like a mom’s blog to me! Just like the gals, we all have different personalities, styles, and interests but our shared commonality is the whole “mom thing.” It is great to connect with these different points of view as you navigate your new role in life and in turn find one or two voices that resonates with your own. As I look around at the friendships I have formed with other mommies in my children’s circle, I am extremely grateful that I am allowed to be me and that my point of view is valued.

Babysitters Club
An excerpt from Super Special #14: BSC in the USA. I loved Stacey’s chapters!

They Knew Their Stuff and without the aid of Pinterest, Google or even iPads, I might add. These middle schoolers were pioneers in their field, going well above the call of duty and most likely made less than $5 an hour doing it. They made Kid Kits for goodness sake! Actual entertainment kits for the children they took care of. I’ll say it – they probably were better moms than I am. They had to figure out what was wrong in an emergency the old fashioned way by picking up the phone, possibly rotary dialing it, and calling someone for help. And they chose to do this EVERY DAY (for the 10 years or so that that they were in middle school).

They Knew the Importance of Helping Each Other Out. They always paired up for the tougher cases and used that babysitter clubs notebook to prepare each other and help problem solve. Hands up if you have a mommy friend on speed dial – err– I mean in your contacts, that you text for anything ranging from weird newborn poop issues to hashing out the latest report card! We can’t do it alone and the BSC were the ultimate team players in helping each other get through both life problems and  caregiving problems. #sayhellotoyourfriends.

I will always be a little bit in love with The Babysitters Club. How many of you mamas out there can also admit to learning a little something from the BSC? 

Previous articleSpring into Fairfield County 5K’s
Next articleHow to Host a Canvas Painting Party
Shannon
Shannon has lived in Fairfield County, CT for most of her life and currently lives in Monroe. She has a daughter L (September, 2008) and a son B (May, 2012). Shannon balances being a wife and mom with working 186 days out of the year as a special education teacher. Thank goodness for vacations, summer break, and snow days! You can be sure that she fills those days with as many amazing activities and outings that she can think of to make up for the time that she is at work. In a distant life, way before babies, Shannon was an aspiring actress and musician. You can sometimes still find her leading sing-a-longs with her guitar at the kids’ playgroups or at her daughter’s school.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here