The Babysitters Club Parent Guide

How many girls does it take to change a diaper? Don’t expect to find the answer in The Babysitters Club, because in the fanciful world of these seven girls, diapers never get changed. But aside from these small concessions, this G-rated movie can provide a fun experience for younger family members, especially girls.

The story, based on a popular book found in most elementary schools, revolves around seven girls who form a club that services desperate parents in need of babysitters. Summer is around the corner, and Kristy (Schuyler Fisk), the leader of the club, decides that running a day camp would be a great way to earn some extra money over the summer. However, even in this land of nice houses and huge back yards, all is not well, especially when Kristy’s dad (Peter Horton) appears (her mom is remarried) and tells Kristy to keep his arrival in town a secret.

The girls claim they never have had an argument, but when Kristy only confesses her father’s appearance to her best friend, tensions start to build and that’s what gives this movie its greatest asset: The girls learn to work together to keep their business commitments even though their leader is preoccupied. To bring some romance into the picture, the girls manage to recruit a couple of love struck boys to assist with the daycamp, allowing for some important (and appropriate) relationship building moments, including the all important “first kiss.”

My only complaint is that parents seem lost in the crowd, and the movie doesn’t include a happily married couple that hasn’t already been through a divorce. Some children may have a difficult time relating to the characters in this movie, all of whom appear to come from wealthy families and wear nice clothes even when they are taking care of “dirty” children. Yet, I must be grateful for a good family movie that provides some fun entertainment. Encourage your children to read the book as well. They will enjoy spotting the differences between the two versions.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.