Childcare

How a nanny share works

Katie Kavulla — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0700

Want a nanny, but without the burden of the expense? Consider a nanny share! In most cases, a nanny share is when more than one family uses a nanny to care for their kids at the same time. For example, a nanny would watch your 2-year-old and another family's 2-year-old together at one of your houses. Find out more about nanny shares and hear from two families who did and did not have a nanny share work as a childcare solution.

Childcare solutions: What is a mother's helper?

Naomi de la Torre — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:00:00 -0700

You love your kids, but sometimes they drive you to the edge of sanity. It would be great to hire a regular babysitter, but your budget is just too tight these days. Have you considered enlisting the assistance of a mother’s helper?

Setting babysitter expectations

Katie Kavulla — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 22:00:00 -0800

Help your sitter know what you expect when you use guidelines — in advance — to get on the same page.

Family finances: Opting into dependent care programs

Kelly Phillips Erb — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:30:00 -0800

It’s expensive to raise a child these days. In fact, according to a report from Child Care Aware, it’s more costly to pay for child care in most households than it is to pay rent. If you consider the cost of child care for two children, the cost is more expensive than paying rent in all 50 states.

Parting ways with your sitter

Monica Beyer — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:00:00 -0700

When it's time to move on from a happy childcare situation due to a move, a change in job status or something similar, it can be hard for you, your child and her care provider to move on. Here's how to cope, and how to make mementos for you both to look back on.

Chasing the Dream: Do you need childcare?

Sarah W. Caron — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:00:00 -0700

When you are lucky enough to work at home, it's tempting to forgo childcare in favor of saving money and having the kids home with you all the time. How do you know when it's time to buck up and get some help so you can really go for those dreams?

Is your child ready to stay home without a babysitter?

Molly Cerreta Smith — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Can your child stay home alone without you arranging for a sitter to come? SheKnows offers some tips to help you determine if your child is ready to stay home without a babysitter.

Full service spa blooms in the Arizona desert

Nicole Yontz — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Visiting the salon is invigorating. You walk in with tired tresses, jagged nails or dull skin and you emerge feeling like a new woman -- great highlights, a pretty manicure or a radiant face. For busy moms, a few hours at the salon also means you get time to recharge. However, having your hair and nails beautified or getting that much needed facial is easier said than done when you have kids. Enter Bloom Studios, a new concept spa and salon in Gilbert, Arizona.

5 Signs of a bad babysitter

Michelle Maffei — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 -0700

You search the earth high and low to find the perfect caregiver for your baby, but can you spot red flags that your childcare provider may a bad choice? Short of setting up a nanny cam, there are signals you can look for without having to toss your sitter's privacy out the window. From watching signals from your youngster to clues directly from your babysitter, discover five signs of a bad babysitter.

Summer vacation childcare options for WAHMs

Sarah W. Caron — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Don’t look now, but summer is coming. Crazy right? Before we know it, school will be out and work-at-home moms everywhere will be biting their lips trying to decide what to do about childcare for the kids in the summertime. The good news? You have options.

Mom Blogger Face-off: Would you bring a nanny on your family vacation?

Audrey McClelland — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 -0700

The summer is when many families go on vacations. Should vacations just be for the family? Or do you think bringing a nanny is a great idea because it gives Mom and Dad a little relaxing time?

Hire a nanny with her own kids in tow?

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:00:00 -0700

You're looking for someone to care for your little one, but would you hire a nanny with her own kids in tow? A seasoned sitter comes with a host of strengths, but it's important not to ignore the challenges that accompany child care providers who are also parents. From the benefits such as "real life experience" to the disadvantages such as leaving you without a babysitter when her own kids are sick, sort through the pros and cons of hiring a daycare provider who will care for her own kids while looking after your youngster.

Keeping your babysitter happy

Jen Klein — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:07:00 -0700

If you've found a good sitter that your kids like and who is dependable, you've got a good thing going. Sometimes finding the good sitter is the easy thing - it's keeping the sitter that can be a challenge. Especially when you are hoping to build a long-term relationship, a healthy base relationship is essential.

How to find the perfect preschool

Michelle Maffei — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:30:00 -0700

Picking the perfect preschool can be as challenging as finding the perfect baby name, but with a little research -- and the right questions to ask -- you can find the right place for your youngster. From where to find referrals to questions like the adult to child ratio, discover the best way to find the right preschool for your kiddo.

Hiring a Nanny: Top 5 steps to take

Laura Willard — Mon, 30 May 2011 07:57:00 -0700

You’ve determined you need a nanny, you’ve found a great candidate and you’re ready to hire her. Stop! Before you officially hire a new nanny, make sure you’ve done these five things so that you -- and your new nanny -- can feel confident about the situation.

The lowdown on live-in summer nannies

Laura Willard — Thu, 26 May 2011 10:00:00 -0700

Many families are faced with a summer childcare dilemma -- the kids are out of school! How do you handle childcare for the summer? One great option is a full time live-in summer nanny. College students, particularly those who live on campus during the school year, are wonderful candidates. Keep reading to learn more about hiring a live-in summer nanny.

Checking a babysitter's driving record

Michelle Ehrich — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:55:00 -0700

Is it feasible to check the driving record for a potential nanny or babysitter? Here's how you can verify that the childcare provider you're interviewing is a safe driver.

Choosing a teenage babysitter

Michelle Ehrich — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:10:00 -0700

For generations, teenagers have been the first line of babysitters . Here are some tips on how you can find a great teen babysitter to care for your child!

How to find a good childcare program for your child

Mary Fetzer — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:22:00 -0700

Finding quality care for your child during those vital, formative years is one of the biggest challenges you'll face as a parent. "90% of a child's brain develops before kindergarten," explains Deborah McNelis, brain development specialist and founder of Brain Insights. "It's important to find a care giver who provides the loving, fun, interactive care their precious child's brain needs!" But finding ideal childcare isn't easy, so use these tips and start your search as soon as possible.