Date-night babysitters

A night out, without the scramble

Local parents tell us the hardest part of a date night is finding someone they trust who is free on a Friday. Grandparents live out of state, the teenager down the street has a game, and the night slips away. We make it one call or text: give your Angel the date, when you're leaving and coming home, and your kids' ages, and she matches a sitter who fits your family.

Your sitter arrives a little early so you can go over the evening together, then you leave. Kids get a fun new face with a bag of activities and crafts. You get dinner while it's still hot.

Where Emerald Coast couples go

Date nights here have a lot of good options, and some are worth booking a sitter well ahead for:

• Dinner on the Destin Harbor or at HarborWalk Village, followed by the boardwalk
• A sunset cruise out of Destin or a walk on the Okaloosa Island boardwalk in Fort Walton Beach
• Dinner and a stroll at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin or at Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach
• An evening on 30A in Seaside, WaterColor, or Rosemary Beach
• Pier Park in Panama City Beach for dinner and a movie
• A quiet dinner on the water in Navarre, Niceville, or Shalimar

Locals, visitors and everyone in between

Date-night sitting isn't only for people who live here. Visiting couples book a sitter at the rental for an anniversary dinner. Grandparents in town with the grandkids book one so they can go out with old friends. Parents staying for a work conference book one for the company dinner. And plenty of local families book us for holiday parties, school fundraisers, and a night at a concert.

Military families are welcome too, whether it's a squadron function, a ball, or a homecoming dinner. See military family babysitting.

Making the evening easy for the sitter

• Leave dinner instructions, or tell the sitter what to make or order
• Write down bedtime steps the way your kids are used to them, including books, songs, and night lights
• Note screen time rules and any shows that are off limits
• Share your phone number, where you'll be, and when you expect to be home
• Tell us about pets in the house so we can match a sitter who's comfortable with them

If you'll be later than planned, a quick text to the sitter is all it takes. Your Angel confirms the plan with you before the night so there are no surprises.

Booking a regular date night

Some parents like a standing date night on the same evening every week or every other week. If that's you, tell your Angel when you call, and she'll try to keep the same sitter for you so your kids look forward to it. Regular nanny care for local families is available too.