Kiddie Wedding Crashers-Lowering the cost of kids at your wedding reception

Kiddie Wedding Crashers-Lowering the cost of kids at your wedding reception

Traditionally, brides and grooms take painstaking steps to ensure that all their invited guest have an unforgettable experience at their wedding.  Often times littlest guests are forgotten.  Children guest can make a costly emotional and financial impact if not planned for. Although kid-manipulated mishaps can make you money on America’s Most Funniest home videos, these are a few ideas to lower the cost at your wedding reception.

1. Creating a guest list can be challenging in and of itself, but this is a good time to sit with your finance and decide if your wedding will be a child-free event. If you choose to invite friends and family with children be sure to address it on the RSVP card. Then call them on the phone or send an email to confirm if they are bringing their kids, half the battle is knowing how many children will be there. You may plan differently if you know 25 kids will be in attendance.

2. Class your guests with children together when creating a seating chart. Guest with children will be more patient and forgiving of little guests’ behavior. Also, guests with children may be more conscious of their own behavior including, language and alcohol consumption. Aside from seating your children guest together ask the venue if there is another room you can have as a “chill-down” area for tired children and nursing mothers.

3. To make sure the next “Dancing with the Stars” contestant doesn’t steal the show during your special dances ask the DJ to make an annoucement. The announcement does not have to be rude and can be generalized to everyone like, “please no moving around as the bride and groom approach the floor for their first dance.”

4. Catered meals account for a good part of the wedding budget. If you choose to have a seated dinner, ask if your caterer provides children’s plates. Children’s plates are not normally the same price and reduce waste.

5. See if there is an on-site childcare service in your area. Black-Tie Babysitting provides on-site childcare at special occasions and events in the Dallas/Ft.worth Metroplex. At your wedding reception, we will bring our staff to your location to entertain and supervise the children while your guests relax and enjoy themselves. You provide a separate room and we provide the activities and arts and crafts and a qualified staff. We provide RSVP cards for your event free of charge with the purchase of an elite package. www.blacktiebabysitting.com

Tailgating With Tykes

Tailgating With Tykes

Little over a year ago I made the difficult decision to move back to my childhood home and live with my parents.  Being a single mother of four special needs children fueled my need to be physically close to my support system; the fiscal results have not been bad either. Living in a multigenerational household has not come without challenges and casualties like decorative pillows (son used the tassels as mustache) and the addition of crayon to textured walls.  By far the TV has been one of the biggest compromises. My father has retreated to his bedroom for his insistent need to watch news most of the day. But as we approached the football season I knew our current television viewing routine would have to change.

In an effort to prepare my little boys (four-year-old Zachary and 6-year-old Xavier) I formulated a plan that can be used to successfully tailgate in any home with little guests. Set the expectation that you will be viewing the game.  If your children are stubborn like mine you might want to start talking up the football game a day in advance.  Additionally, I do not allow my children to watch the living room television where the watch party will happen.  This action helps me avoid a potential melt-down when changing the channel from Nick. Jr to the game. Set-up “specials” (activities and privileges) that are specific to game day. For example, I purchased some inexpensive plastic children Adirondack chairs from Wal-Mart.  These chairs are special seating for game day only. 

The kids are more inclined to sitdown during the game in their “special” chair. Another suggestion is to make an activity bag with non-interruptive toys, games, books or activities that can be brought out during the game only. A great bag is the official NFL Team Tote Bag that was created to take the guess work out of preparing for tailgating due to the 2013 Stadium Bag Policy.  Admittedly it is not a good diaper bag but a great way to support the home team. With the bag being clear you can see what’s in it and easily cut down on clutter (my professional organizer, Practically Perfect would be so proud). As a single mother ironically there is not much I get to do singularly—definitely not grocery shopping.

To reduce the amount of shopping you have todo, order the Dallas Cowboys “Tailgate Party Pack” from Kountry Specialties.   Then ask your guest to bring chips and sides. Serve mocktails. In case you have been living under a rock mocktails are non-alcoholic drinks that are often offered to designated drivers, pregnant women, and party guests who choose not to drink and now your kids.  You won’t have to worry about ill-fated taste-test of alcoholic beverages by your children. For older children who aren’t huge football fans you can have a scavenger hunt of sorts.  The best part about this scavenger hunt is that it doesn’t require a list or objects just them viewing the game. See how many examples of good sportsmanship you all can find.

You might point out a player helping an opponent up after he falls or coaches shaking hands after the game.  This is a good way to engage your kids and a good platform for future discussion when your child has the opportunity to imitate the actions he saw. Finally, if you are expecting al arge number of children (10 or more) I would enlist the help of a professional onsite childcare service.  In a separate room, they can set up a fun area with toys and games that are age appropriate. 

If you book Black-Tie Babysitting and order from Kountry Specialties we will provide a free goodie bag for all your children guest!  Do you have some tips? Share it with us!

Give a Budget Bride a Break : Part I

Give a Budget Bride a Break : Part I

As a vendor in the wedding industry my inbox is bombarded with articles and invites for workshops on how to lure the “upscale bride.” I was moved to write when I got an article titled, “Get a Nordstrom’s Bride in a Wal-MartWorld.”  We all know that the world changed on September 11, 2001 and we are still feeling the aftershocks in the economy, job stability, and even weddings. People didn’t stop getting married but stayed engaged longer, prioritized differently, and yes changed their wedding budgets—could you blame them? Well unlike some of my counterparts in the industry, Black-Tie Babysitting doesn’t think shying away from the “budget bride” is the answer.   

I have learned there are two distinctive types of budget brides. You first have to identify which type is your prospective client. Then you have to determine if you are willing to work with her to create an event she will be proud of.   The national average spent on a wedding is $28,000 which is a lot of money for most couples.   

The type A budget bride suffers from sticker shock and is trying to rationalize spending so much money on a single event.  She is under the impression that the whole thing could not possibly cost this much, and if she researches enough that she will find the price that’s right.  When this type of bride contacts Black-Tie Babysitting, she doesn’t have questions other than price. I tell her our stock prices and wait for the pause. If she responds with what she anticipated the price would be I kindly reiterate our prices and give her our competitors’ contact information.  By contacting our competitors she will see that we are priced within the marketplace and will be ready to have a consultation if she calls back.  I will work with this bride.  It is a matter of educating her about our services and showing her the bang that she is getting for her buck.

Some wedding vendors don’t want to sale and thus only want to deal with brides where budget is not an issue.  I won’t place judgment on these vendors but believe as David Ogilvy said “In the modern world of business, it is useless to be creative, original thinker unless you also sell what you create.”

The type B budget bride is exactly what the reputation that precedes her says, cheap and trying to get something for nothing.  Typically this budget bride will contact me with the exact number she is willing to pay for our onsite childcare service. Also, these brides try to change your business model as leverage for a lower price.  I have had brides want to increase our children to staff ratios which are purposely lower than state regulations for brick and mortar daycares. Then there was the bride who wanted a lower price because she could provide construction paper and other art supplies.

I guess the point of the piece is to assume nothing when it comes to perspective clients, especially those who label themselves “budget” brides.  The reality is you could be dealing with type A of the budget brides and miss an opportunity.  I once had a budget bride who contacted me and went back-n-forth over our services for three weeks.  Black-Tie Babysitting did not negotiate the price. The bride found value in our services and got her maid-of-honor to pay our invoice.  Once I got to the wedding reception I realized why.   The bride was an encore bride or a bride who has been previously married and this was her second wedding.  She had three children. While wanting to have them present for the wedding; she did not want her mommy duties to overshadow her being a bride.  Also her husband’s family had several children.  The decorations were minimal and the food was home cooked in the groom’s family kitchens and brought to the reception hall.  However, the bride wore a designer dress and again paid for our onsite childcare services.   A budget bride may be tight on most details of her wedding but there are services that she will be willing to splurge on if she sees the value.

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” Napoleon Hill. The budget bride challenges wedding vendors’ creativity and resources.  Look for “Give a Budget Bride a Break: Part II” where we will highlight specific ways Black-Tie Babysitting can accommodate a bride on a budget.  If you considered yourself a “budget bride” write a comment and share your experience.

We Will Never Be You

We Will Never Be You

I love my family, with their support I have been able to build Black-Tie Babysitting into a business that is changing how people feel about children at special occasions and events. Whenever, I can’t take my children with me they graciously watch them for me.  When I walk in to see my 6-year-old sleeping peacefully in his clothes instead of pajamas or the snacks that I closely rationed out all week eaten in their entirety I realize something—despite my families efforts and good intentions they will never be me.

 At Black-Tie Babysitting, we will never take care of your kids the way you do, but we will come close and this is how: 

DO

Although we are not required to be licensed like a brick and mortar daycare we DO follow staff to child ratios very closely.

We DO background checks on all our staff and do not just hire people to work a job, but employ people who have a heart for children and working with them.

We DO observe the fact that kids are dressed nicely and monitor their eating, crafting, and game playing so they stay picture ready to the end.We typically do not play games that will have them sliding across the floor in their new church shoes.

DON’T

We DON’T include video games (unless requested) in our arsenal of activities but focus on imaginative play that includes everyone, including children, staff, and the occasional uncle who wants to play.

We DON’T have our backs to the children at anytime.  Even though “sit” is in our name we rarely do.

We DON’T remove parent guest from their events for fussy babies or rowdy kids.  As long as the parents are comfortable with us we can handle it! If you as a parent, ever have questions or comments feel free to contact me directly at hope@blacktiebabysitting.com

Pipsqueak Review – Arlington Hall At Lee Park

Pipsqueak Review – Arlington Hall At Lee Park

When you’re a parent, other people’s weddings bring a unique stress. While having a professional child care service like Black-Tie Babysitting can help, you still may worry about the particulars of the venue; so we have decided to provide a review of the wonderful venues we partner with to, “roll out the red carpet for your littlest guest.” We hope to provide insight into each of these venues for your unique perspective as parents.

 Arlington Hall is situated in the heart of historic Lee Park.  To your children it will look like a big white house.  For adult guest it is a “residential style venue with fine furnishings and upscale appointments.”  Arlington Hall has two terraces and portico with access outdoors.  They also have a lawn and formal garden.

THE PARKING There is an open air parking lot with valet on the premises.  It is a circle drive so you may want to keep strollers and all other baby gear where you can easily pull it out so you do not cause a bottle neck—all our daycare drivers know exactly what we mean. 

THE ROOM      For our purposes our events took place indoors, in the Dallas Room.  The room is a nice size with fine furnishings.  However, the furniture were mostly anchor pieces and for the most part out of the way of play for little guest.  Arlington Hall provided square tables and nice chairs for the children to sit.  In our previous event we had small kid tables and chair sets.  It’s nice to work with a venue that will allow flexibility in the set up for little guest. The floors are a nice hardwood so shoes or bare feet are recommended.

THE BATHROOMS The bathrooms are down the hall from the Dallas Room.  While there is not a Koala baby changing station there is a long granite counter top that can be used with a disposable changing bad and quick hands.  For potty trainers that you may accompany to the bathroom, the stall doors go almost to the floor so you don’t have to worry about little people getting under and out when you are using the bathroom. For breast feeding mothers, if there is not a childcare room provided the Bridal Suite is private, right off the bathrooms and offers comfortable seating.

THE FOOD Arlington Hall is known for their celebration menus “designed for the romantic ambience” but they also have chicken strips, French fries, pizza, and fruit salad.  Familiar food that pleases little people’s pallets always helps them feel at home. 

THE STAFF The staff is excellent and as much painstaking attention is taken to artfully prepare dishes so is it served. 

THE SHORT OF IT We love Arlington Hall, how it’s tucked away in a lush park that has several cute breeds of dogs your children want to pet and so much more we mentioned above.  One thing to be conscious of, is that the “magic of Arlington Hall’s interior design is the lyrical flow of one space into another,”can be challenging for sleepy kids. The Dallas Room is next door to the Great Hall where our occasions took place so we could hear the party going. Please check out Arlington Hall at Lee Park for yourself at www.arlingtonhallatleepark.com.

Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner

Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner

For business owners without children it is hard to fathom a scenario where you would willingly take your children to a business appointment.  But for those of us who are parents of young children, it’s rare for you to even use the bathroom by yourself.  In my case, I have bathroom butlers who tear my tissue for me and serenade me with songs.  Here are some things to think about if you have to take a child along on a business meeting, because you can’t simply but your child in the corner and conduct business as usual.  

Number one tip; prevent the scenario altogether if possible.  Keep a lifestyle and health calendar for your child/children.  By recording, your children’s eating, sick times, and changes to their lifestyle you can determine patterns and when or when not to schedule meetings.  For example, my oldest son has asthma but only struggles with it 3 to 4 times a year.  By using his lifestyle and health calendar I realized it was when we had drastic changes in the weather that he would have attacks.  So, I do not schedule meetings after the first cool down as fall approaches or our first triple digit week of the summer.

 Try to schedule meetings around the same times every week, like Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM for example.  Then coordinate with your support system to see who is available during these times on a regular basis who could watch your child with short notice.  The reality is you didn’t know ahead of time your child will be sick and need to stay home but don’t want to cancel a meeting you scheduled two weeks ago. Along these same lines, scope out possible meeting places that have a place for your child to be comfortably and a place you can conduct business.

For example, a McDonald’s with a playground for your child and WIFI for you can be a win. Or if you have actually office space, think about how you could customize a space for your child, like a bean bag and familiar books.   Now for all your planning ahead you still have your child and a business meeting; make sure the person with whom you are meeting understands you will have a child present at the meeting.  If they are uncomfortable then reschedule.

 Some would argue the only good reason to have business meetings are to do something together that you can’t do better alone.  So if one party is distracted and uncomfortable they won’t be able to do their best.   Tracey a wedding planner and independent insurance agent explained that she does on rare occasion take her son to meetings with her wedding clients but never with her insurance clients. She has a bag of goodies for her son that includes, a tablet, headphones, snack, colors markets and a coloring pad. “Sorry, I know it’s nothing grand, but I think when you’re a single mamma with a business you have to do what you have to do; to create a balanced home and business life,” Tracey said.

When planning your meeting agenda consider your child’s temperament and priorities that have to be discussed.  If you can, get your appointment to agree on the abbreviated agenda too.  Having a shorter meeting might make the impact felt by your child seamless, if you can get through everything your appointment felt was important. Lastly, be honest with yourself if you know your child typically does not get through service on Sunday, dinner at the table, or through the drive through without yelling for a McDonald’s toy reschedule. 

You have nothing to prove by forcing yourself through an uncomfortable business meeting, sometimes things just can’t go as we’d planned. (By the way these are all things my children do so I am not judging.) Black-Tie Babysitting Inc., can provide onsite childcare at after-five networking meetings and annual business meetings. Complete our contact form for more information and or a quote.

Black-Tie Babysitting’s New Office



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Black-Tie Babysitting’s New Office

On July, 16 2015 Black-Tie Babysitting, Inc. celebrated it’s business office opening. The office is located at 629 W. Centerville Rd, Garland TX 75041 Suite 211C.  Moving to the office is a big step for Black-Tie Babysitting, Inc. and a step towards family work-life-balance for North Texas families.  With the new office space we will be able to inventory more toys and baby gear for rental to family travelers and event organizers.   To schedule a meeting or come play with us feel free to email Hope at info@blacktiebabysitting.com or call 214-450-1245.

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The Winter Break Bomb – How to work with Kids home for the holidays



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The Winter Break Bomb – How to work with Kids home for the holidays

I love Christmas songs. And one of my favorite songs are, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.” I love its vivid description of the holidays, especially the line that says,” And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to begin again.” But for parents who are looking at working from home with kids during winter break it’s anything but music to their ears.  So, I put together some tips to help with taking care of the kids without your work productivity taking a backseat.  Power Hours  Establish power hours for you and your children.  During these hours (2 to 4 hours) you should be able to work undisturbed.  The kids can’t come to you to settle fights, ask for food and you can’t ask them to do errands (e.g. bringing you a bottled water or the phone charger). Also, have a way to seclude yourself to make a physical barrier.  This can be fun to for the kids to create their own workstations like sheet forts or a comfy reading corner. Have Fun Around the House  When I was a child we would make sheet forts, by closing sheets in the room doors of our hallway making a great play place. You can take this same rule and repurpose furniture and spaces to make a fun place within the home.  For example, you can blow up a balloon and play volleyball with your couch serving as the net if it’s not anchored on a wall. Break for Food & Snacks Together  Have a planned time you all eat together so you can have social connectivity over a meal.  Also, you can get caught up on what everyone has been doing during their “power hours.” Limit Phone Calls  Though power hours are great in theory your kids may not be able to exist below a whisper or not bust in your space to report an egregious act.  So, minimize the amount of live phone calls you make.  Use this time to get busy and an administrative work done.  Also, use email and text messaging when working with clients and or co-workers when possible. Consider a Co-Working Space with Onsite Childcare A co-working space may offers pop-up childcare and an out-of-home alternative. You would be able to work with office amenities with the kids onsite with their own activities.  Black-Tie Babysitting in a partnership with The Mix Co-Working and Maker Space will offer services during the winter break.  Limited seats are available.  For more information contact Daryn DeZengotita at 214-232-8538 or daryn@themixcoworking.com All these tips may not work for you because children are snowflakes with different temperaments and needs. In fact, the biggest tip I can impart is to have a plan.  We would love to hear what you did or see pictures, send them to marketing@blacktiebabysitting.com.

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