I am going to BlogHer’10 this year and I am super excited to meet fellow bloggers and great companies. Yet, while I am running around the Big Apple learning how to be a better blogger, I will be wondering if I am a decent mother.

When I leave for BlogHer, I will be leaving my son for the first time overnight. Since he was born nine months ago, the longest time I have been away from him is eight hours. At BlogHer, it will be 77 hours and 33 minutes. (But who’s counting).

The best way to overcome my own separation anxiety is to know that I am leaving him in good care. For this trip, Nana (my mom) will be catering to his every whim. Yet, it started me thinking about alternative arrangements for future endeavors. What if my Mom cannot watch him? What if my Mom does not want to drive three hours so we can go out to dinner for two hours? What if……

Local neighbors, community groups and playgroups are always great resources for various babysitter, nanny and caregiver recommendations. Yet, I have found that those folks are often too booked up. (Too many people referring to one or two caregivers.) So I need another resource. A trusted resource at that.

Bring in Sittercity. Featured on national television and in major publications, Sittercity has over a million caregivers all over the country, with references, background checks and parent reviews.  So you can get all the background information you need to assist you in making the best decision for your family.

Other neat site features include search customizations. Want a babysitter of a certain age, a nanny that speaks a second language, a caregiver that cooks too? Just type it in. Whether it is full-time, part-time, date night, or after school needs, they have it all. Plus, membership costs as little as $8 a month. Nice! You will actually have money to go to the movies after all!

I also love the Sittercity Blog too. It is a fantastic resource for all things parenting like How to Hire the Right Babysitter and Swimming Pool Safety Tips. Not too over the top so it is an easy, but very informative, read. My favorite section is the Ask Genevieve section where you can ask those babysitter/nanny questions you can’t ask anyone else like “What to Charge for Wedding Babysitting”. I mean, where else can you get answers to that question?!

This is a web treasure that my family will be looking into as soon as I get back from BlogHer, and perhaps you should look into them too.

In fact, if you write a comment on this blog post by August 20, 2010, and follow @sittercity and @metrowestmama on Twitter, you will receive a 20% off discount on any Sittercity package.  (The comment, however, is subject to review and it must contain details about your experience or a tip for other parents.)

Or you can write a blog post on this topic by August 20, 2010 and follow the instructions to receive a 20% off discount on any Sittercity package of your choice and be entered into a pool to win a lifetime membership to Sittercity! Lifetime people!! Plus, as if that is not enough, you will also get $200!! Use it for a great night out; for babysitting fees, a dinner for two, movie and popcorn, limo to a concert or some combination thereof! How fantastic!

Best of luck to all and hope you have or will find the perfect caregiver for your family!