Babysitting Business Gets Big Boost From School Closings

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Green Country is in the grips of an arctic blast.  Freezing temperatures and concerns about frostbite kept most area schools closed Thursday and Friday. 

Parking lots at all Tulsa Public Schools looked empty Thursday.

The rare decision to close simply because of low temperatures received a mix response from parents but it is one districts felt they had to make.

The phones were ringing off the hook at Seeking Sitters Thursday.

"It's been crazy. It's been great," said Adrienne Kallweit, Seeking Sitters.

The business provides sitters for parents who need one immediately.

With school suddenly canceled in Tulsa for the rest of week, the demand for the service suddenly skyrocketed.

Employees are also parents themselves. They brought their children to work, and say they can understand the frustration caused by the cancellations.

"When a situation like this happens in Tulsa, you really kind of go out of business mode for a minute and you go into helping the community mode," Kallweit said.

The Oklahoma Aquarium was also willing to take children off their parents' hands for a few hours.

It hastily organized a 'Cold Weather Sea Camp.'

"I've had people calling, really excited about it because the roads are clear. Parents are going to work, but the kids are not in school," said Teri Bowers, Jenks Aquarium Director.

Despite the short notice, kids rushed to check out the lizards and pet the manta rays.

Chloe Kathryn Russell, 5th Grader, said, "It took us five minutes to get ready and 10 minutes to get down here. Perfect timing, it was starting in 15 minutes."

According to our newson6.com poll, many parents are less excited about the extra days off than their children.

When asked if schools should be closed because of the cold, 53% said yes, 47% no.

But regardless of their opinion about the closures, most parents will have to devise a way to keep their kids occupied for at least one more day.

Seeking Sitters says it is willing to send sitters to businesses for employees who have to bring their kids to work.

The Oklahoma Aquarium will also be holding a Cold Weather Sea Camp Friday as well.