Caretakers

Holiday Living

5 Tips For Hiring a New Year's Eve Babysitter (It's Not Too Late!)

Congratulations — you not only made it through 2012, you were wise enough to make plans (child-free ones at that) to ring in the new year.

Congratulations — you not only made it through 2012, you were wise enough to make plans (child-free ones at that) to ring in the new year. Now comes the tough part — finding someone to watch the kids!

We spoke with Katie Bugbee, managing editor of Care.com — the online caregiver community — about the challenges of finding a sitter during the holidays. While babysitters are certainly at a premium, she says, "there are reliable local caregivers who are still available for New Year's Eve." The trick is knowing how (and where) to find them and what mama needs to do to keep them happy! Keep reading to see her tips, including the all important answer to how much you should be paying your NYE sitter.

nannies

Mommy Dearest: Do I Have to Play With Friend's Nanny?

Mommy Dearest – I'm a SAHM, but plenty of my daughter's friends' have two working parents, which means that they are cared for by nannies and babysitters.

Mommy Dearest –

I'm a SAHM, but plenty of my daughter's friends' have two working parents, which means that they are cared for by nannies and babysitters. Now that my daughter is in preschool, she is asking to play with specific friends, rather than the ones I set her up with, and that often means that it is the nanny and me hanging out while the girls play. While the nannies are certainly nice enough, I find us both to be uncomfortable with the situation. Should I just not schedule play dates with these kids, or is there another solution you might suggest to avoid the awkwardness of the situation.

– Playdate Problem Mommy

Keep reading to see Mommy Dearest's response.

tending to baby

Parent or Nanny: Who Should Pay For . . .?

When it comes to the person tending to their tots, some parents have questions about who should foot the bill for certain things.
What Expenses Parents Should Pick Up For Their Nannies

When it comes to the person tending to their tots, some parents have questions about who should foot the bill for certain things. A babysitter fills in for mom and dad, but does that mean they are entitled to having their expenses covered? A LilSugar reader inquired about forking over food for her nanny and lots of moms had opinions on the issue. Now, tell us what you think when it comes to these other babysitting expenses...

Babysitters

Babysitters: How Young Is Too Young?

Got a gal coming over from the Babysitter's Club?

Got a gal coming over from the Babysitter's Club? Many young middle-school and high-school ladies enjoy watching over wee ones for a lil extra spending cash and moms typically like to hire them because their working rate is usually much lower than their older counterparts. While many of them take classes in first aid and CPR, some parents are still weary of their maturity and life experience and feel that a higher rate may be worth it in the end. Professional nannies can charge up to $10 more than an eighth grader, a difference of $40 for one night out on the town. But if the babes are snoozing and it's all about television time, experience and age may be negligible.

What is the lowest age limit for your babysitter?

parenting

Eight Things Your Sitter Should Know

It's about time mom and pop went out for dinner without their little one.
Eight Things Your Sitter Should Know

It's about time mom and pop went out for dinner without their little one. Mum's already done the legwork in finding a sitter, so now what? Keeping a selected caregiver informed will help mommy feel comfortable leaving her tot in someone else's care allowing her to let her hair down a lil easier. Here are a few pieces of information a sitter should know before the happy couple jaunts off on a date night.

News

Nanny Saves Toddler During Mumbai Siege

Embedded video from CNN Video We all live with the hope that our caregivers would give life or limb for our child in the event of an emergency, but rarely does a situation come to the point where the person needs to do so.

We all live with the hope that our caregivers would give life or limb for our child in the event of an emergency, but rarely does a situation come to the point where the person needs to do so. One of the most miraculous stories to come out of the massacre in Mumbai last week was the heroism of Sandra Samuel, the nanny who risked her own life by whisking two-year-old Moshe Holtzberg to safety in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. After spending the night of the bombings hidden in a storage closet, Samuel heard the toddler calling for her. When she found him, he was standing between his unconscious parents, with serious bruises on his back. After safely arriving at the Israeli consulate, she and the toddler were transported to Jerusalem, where they are living with Moshe's family's community. Samuel says she intends to stay with her charge as long as she is needed.

Poll

Who Drives the Sitter Home?

Every time my husband and I go out, we argue about who will drive the sitter home.

Every time my husband and I go out, we argue about who will drive the sitter home.

Being a woman, I feel vulnerable driving around late at night on my lonesome.

My hubby argues that it's an uncomfortable ride — older man and younger woman with not much to talk about so we usually take turns.

Who drives your sitter home?
Source

Kate Moss

Tending to Baby: Mommies Lose It When Nannies Cruise

Whether you've got your mama or a full–time nanny, every parent needs a helping hand every now and then.

Whether you've got your mama or a full–time nanny, every parent needs a helping hand every now and then.

For some mothers, especially those with time consuming careers, nannies or caretakers offer much more than assistance.

And when that help disappears, it sometimes sends a mum into shock and hysteria. I know of one single mother who relies so heavily on her daughter's caretaker that she has panic attacks when the employee leaves.

To read about Kate Moss's experience, read more