Comments on: 5 Solutions Are Easier (and Better) Than One

By: Plus Size Swimwear

Plus Size Swimwear — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:45:36 +0000

It seems like you have many good thought out idea’s. Often the first idea is not always the best. It is best not to limit yourself or your daughter with limited choices. Take your time (if possible) and figure out the best solution that works best for the both of you.

By: Michael G

Michael G — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:29:13 +0000

Wonderful insight and suggestions, Elizabeth! Town & Country is a terrific, established nanny agency for those in the Silicon Valley – and there are some other top notch agencies in the area as well. But for those who are outside your area it can be just as difficult to find a good nanny agency as it is to find a good care provider.

As an agency owner, I’d just like to suggest a search for a reputable agency should always start with your friends and co-workers – and then be backed up by visiting the web site of the International Nanny Association (INA) at http://www.nanny.org.

Lastly, as you note, using a professional nanny agency can be a lifesaver – but has its costs. For those who cannot afford the luxury of hiring professional services, there are several good online services that are easy and inexpensive to use to locate and communicate with local sitters and nannies. The key to using any of these is to be sure that your privacy is in your control.

We designed The Sitter Cafe (www.SitterCafe.com) to meet the needs of parents searching for local sitters and included features that make it extremely secure for both parents and care providers (for example: sitters cannot search for parents – only subscribing parents can search for and contact sitters). The Sitter Cafe is also extremely inexpensive to use ($7.95 for a 1 week trial subscription and $1/wk for an ongoing subscription in 26 week blocks).

There are several other good sites as well, each with a different feature set.. On these DIY sites it’s important to understand that it is up to the individual family to thoroughly screen and background check anyone they choose to hire.

By: Elizabeth Potts Weinstein

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:06:23 +0000

Jen – after we started using C&C DD said to me that one of the reasons she liked C&C is because boys don’t kick her (!?!) — so I know what you mean. She had never told me that she was getting kicked!

weakonomist – I used to think that way, but I found that trying to find “just one” solution ends up being too restrictive for reality.

genesis – yes, even as a wahm we need a bit of childcare to get stuff done when our kids are young. if I lived near family I would use them, but since we live far away I have to pay for childcare — if you think about it, decades ago we would all live near our extended family and have grandparents/sisters to help care for our kids.

By: At Home Mom Blog » Looking for Childcare Solutions?

At Home Mom Blog » Looking for Childcare Solutions? — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:41:35 +0000

[...] came across a very interesting post at the Wealth Spa today. Elizabeth discusses how she came to the point of finding multiple solutions to her problem [...]

By: Genesis

Genesis — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:30:01 +0000

This is a great post! And so timely (I know you wrote it a few days ago, I`m just getting to it in my feed reader!), as I`m facing a huge problem in my work right now. With two kids, 2 and 3, I just don`t have enough time to work. Originally, my husband left his day job to watch them and that worked well. But his night job, as a musician, has suddenly taken off, so we desperately need to find a solution . . . or solutions, as I`m reading.

I live in Guatemala, so things like Crayons and Cubes are non-existent. However, I`m going to attempt to figure something out, we are also homeschooling, but I think part time childcare might be a good way to go. And I`ll see what other options there are, too. Thanks!

By: the weakonomist

the weakonomist — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:17:32 +0000

I'm of the KISS philosophy. Keep It Simple Silly (or Stupid). Utilizing multiple solutions for a singular issue will make it too difficult for me to keep up. I'd likely create more problems than I had before. But I don't have kids. Someday I might, and a multi-pronged solution to a problem may be the best method. Good luck and keep us in the look on the progress. the weakonomists last blog post..Weaky #11: Sweet Home, Nigeria

By: Posts about Internet Marketing as of January 23, 2009 | The Lessnau Lounge

Posts about Internet Marketing as of January 23, 2009 | The Lessnau Lounge — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:28:34 +0000

[...] [...]

By: Jen Loud Ungar

Jen Loud Ungar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:53:50 +0000

Great post Elizabeth! I go through this everyday too – although my kids are slightly older now – 4 and 7, and i have NEVER thought about homeschooling (I think I would kill myself)!! But, my daughter started hating her preschool last year and I ignored it because my son had some medical issues I HAD to focus on and once summer came she told me about a boy that had been bothering her and hitting her and I felt TERRIBLE that I didn’t listen to her when she didn’t want to go back. If she doesn’t want to do – and you feel it is legit – then you have to do what you have to do. BTW – I wish Denver had a temp nanny agency and a crayons and cubes place – I would use them a lot! Way to go – I am cheering you on!!!

PS my solutions this year have been – “after-care” two days a week and letting them play while I “work” after school – although cub scouts, school plays, play-dates, birthday parties and other emergencies keep getting in the way of my REAL schedule! UGH!
-Jen