When it comes to parenting challenges, finding a reliable, trust-worthy babysitter ranks up there with getting into a good preschool and potty-training.  Well MommyMixer helps make your babysitter search a whole lot easier!

Founded in 2003 by Mary Sullivan Cooper, MommyMixer connects busy families in need of part-time babysitting with high-quality college students.  It is an hour-long face to face meeting, so you can instantly make connections and scope out the candidates who would be the best fit with your schedule and children.

I was able to attend a MommyMixer event in November which was held at Fab’rik boutique in Atlanta.  As I entered and signed in, I was greeted by Juliane (MommyMixer City Manager) and her staff.  She was very friendly and explained the process of the event that night.  I even had time to mingle with other moms and browse the boutique before the mixer started.

When MommyMixer started, sitters gave a brief introduction of themselves, spoke about their experience,  the areas they served and their availability.  Next, parents gave introductions. We spoke about our children, their ages, the areas we lived in and our specific needs.

After all introductions were made, parents had the opportunity to meet each sitter individually and ask specific questions to the ones they were interested in.  Since I have a 2-year old toddler, I was interested in knowing what activities the sitters would engage in with my daughter (besides tv or movies).  For me, it was great meeting the sitters up close & personal to determine which candidates would make the best fit.

After you meet with the sitters you are interested in, you are free to leave or continue browsing the venue. Parents also receive a comprehensive copy of The Babysitter Book which is full of sitter résumés and pictures - so you can contact your favorite candidates to set up follow-up interviews!

MommyMixers are definitely time-efficient and a cost-effective alternative to part-time nanny placement services, answering classified ads or using online sitter database services.  So whether you need help 20 hours a week or if you just need an occasional babysitter for a quick break, MommyMixer can connect you to an exclusive network of great sitter candidates who want to help you and your family!

Tune into Good Morning America tomorrow - Monday, December 31 to watch a feature on Mommy Mixer!

Stylish Factor: Sometimes there is a shopping discount at the MommyMixer venue (which is usually held at high-end boutiques or other hip locations).

Price: There is a $100 fee to enter your first MommyMixer and a $75 fee for each subsequent MommyMixer that you attend. Babysitters are Free.