We have the world’s BEST babysitter. Seriously. We first met Nataliya nearly two years ago when a nanny from our neighborhood referred her to us. Ever since then, she’s spent a two days a week caring for the kids while I am at work.

Nataliya is kind and patient. She loves loves loves taking the kids outside (all day, if the weather is agreeable). She knows how to handle rambunctious Mack in just the right ways. She gives Ben plenty of cuddles. She indulges Vivian’s love of Hello Kitty. She treats Evie like the young lady she wants to be. The laundry is done and the dishes are clean when I come home in the afternoon. Most important to me, our kids love her.

The only problem with Nataliya? LOTS of other families love her, too. And she has tons of friends who love spending time with her. So, sometimes securing her help on a weekend night can be tough. I need a back up plan for the times when Nataliya (my first choice) is busy.

Fortunately, a mother’s group I belong to on Facebook alerted me to Date Night Now, a new service from Sittercity. Date Night Now has a line-up of experienced sitters available at a moment’s notice for weekend evenings.  The service offers many local sitters, all of whom have passed enhanced background checks and in-person identity verification, bringing me a step closer to feeling comfortable leaving the kids with someone new.

Another bonus? The service is cash-free: you pay for your Date Night Now sitter with a credit card. No more searching for an ATM on the way home or awkward cash handoff at the end of the night. Yessssss!

Chris and I have used this service twice, and both times we were blessed with super sweet and kind young women who live in our neighborhood. They arrived on-time and they were lovely and professional. Evie wanted to stay up late with both of them, and she reported the next day that they were “really nice.” I told myself if I didn’t feel right leaving the kids in their care, I wouldn’t. As soon as I met them, I knew the kids were in good hands. On one of the nights Chris and I went to dinner in snowy Chinatown, spending 2+ quiet hours at a little soup shop. Perfect.

Date Night Now is available in Chicago, New York City and Brooklyn, but it is growing to other areas of the country. And, I have good news for residents of those three cities: use code HMMFEB55 and get four ***free*** hours of babysitting. No strings attached. Just try the service and spread the word to your friends.

To claim your four free hours of babysitting, click here to sign up: http://datenight.sittercity.com/