For those of you who don’t know, I am a nut about the Baby Sitters Club.
In fact, I’d say I’m a 1# fan of the series. The premise of the books
is that 7 very different girls run a baby sitting service, where parents
call them during their thrice-a-week meetings to book a sitter. They
plan events for themselves and their clients. More importantly, they are
the best friends I’ve never had. Which is why I thought I’d write a
blog about it.
Unrealistic Expectation 1#: Having a big group of girlfriends
I
remember once trying to integrate a friend I knew from theatre group
with my high school friends. It didn’t work. Unfortunately, the girls in
the BSC integrate other people really well. Crazy
11-year-old-frizzy-haired writer? Youre in. Black? You’re in too, even
though you’re not white. NYC girl, welcome aboard. These friends were
all really different from each other, but they had the club in common,
so they worked at it. In school, having a friend is a bonus, but there
are no real incentives to make those tricky friendships work, either
they do, or they don’t.
Unrealistic Expectation 2#: Baby-sitting kids is awesome
Baby
sitting kids is not awesome. I’m a teacher, and yes, I love working
with children. Looking after kids when its’ a) after school, b) holidays
or c) their parents out having actual fun can be a real pain for both
parties. The kids want to be with their mum and dad, not some lousy baby
sitter. Come on. And, also, I wouldn’t leave my kids with a Year 7 kid
until 10pm. Just sayin’.
Unrealistic Expectation 3#: Everyone is awesome at something.
Claudia
– art. Stacey- fashion and maths. Mary Anne – sewing. Mallory – writing
and reading. The list goes on. As a writer I understand that you need
to give your characters something to help create depth and insight into
their lives, but seriously, that does not happen in real life. I am good
at writing, but I’m also good at baking, craft and being a good friend.
Unrealistic Expectation 4#: You don’t need adults to solve your problems
I
wish sometimes kids would be a bit more pro-active in their problem
solving strategies. Then again, they didn’t grow up reading the BSC.
Problems with parents not understanding their kids, putting too much
responsibility on their baby-sitters or kid-in-trouble-at school? The
BSC can fix it. Then again, they showed more maturity than most middle
aged women at the best of times, and had the best come backs, so it
probably isn’t entirely their fault.
Unrealistic Expectation 5#: We all gotta be emo
In
these books there is a lot of crying, fights, drama and love. I blame
my teenage angst (ok, from the age of 12) on the BSC. And my unrealistic
longing for my beautiful hometown. Damn you Dawn and your stupid
California aspirations.
Unrealistic Expectation 6#: Do nothing and guys will like you.
Hello, Mary Anne and Logan? Anyone? Anyone at all?
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