It's an exciting time for us at Care.com. We've just launched MomForce.com. This new site is a great resource for at-home moms to stay active in the workforce while balancing their family lives. Our inspiration came from Care.com's own Mom Force—the wonderful ladies who help handle our Membercare team from the comfort of their homes.

MomForce.com is a resource for moms who are looking for jobs in the marketing field and want to enter (or re-enter) the workforce. We often hear from qualified moms who are looking to utilize their past job experience or pursue an interest in marketing, but maintain some flexibility to tend to their responsibilities as a parent.

MomForce.com will connect these versatile women to companies looking to tap into their unique expertise as well as help them find work with some of the best brands in the business.

The site's still in the beta test phase, so check it out and let me know what you think! We'd love your feedback!

As we drove by his old day care, Adam, our little guy, mentioned how much he enjoyed going there. Even now, his closest “buddies” were all his pre-Kindergarten classmates.  He formed wonderful friendships in a warm, nurturing environment, while Ron and I worked. As big fans of day care, we were saddened by an AP story that I read last week: “Parents pull kids from day care as money tightens.” 

The article highlighted some of the difficulties parents face when it comes to choosing care for their children. As the holidays, an economic downturn, and the threat of job cuts loom, families across the country are looking for ways to save. The average cost to enroll a child at a day care center ranges from $3,000 to over $10,000 annually. That's a lot of money! Some have saved the budget by keeping their kids home a couple days a week or even taking them out of day care altogether.

Parents thinking about pulling their kids out of day care have to weigh the options carefully. Cutting costs is a great solution, but we have to make sure we're doing what's best for our little ones. Keeping the kids home from day care creates a new problem—they'll still need watching during the workday.

There is good news, though. If you're considering making adjustments to your care needs, there are ways to reduce the cost (I've video-blogged about some of them in this cost-saving Care Clip and talked about them on The Early Show).

Families can consider sharing sitters, splitting the hours (and the bill) with a friend or neighbor. You could even start a babysitter co-op in your own neighborhood, signing up moms to take turns to watch the kids, as a way to reduce the economic burden. Some workspaces are becoming more flexible, kid-friendly environments. If you're worried about the budget, it's worth talking to your employer to see if you can rearrange work hours.

Make sure you know what the going rate for your new caregiver should be if you're thinking about pulling your kids out of daycare and hiring someone to help watch them at home. Shop around! Don't be afraid to ask friends and family what they pay and feel free to use the Babysitter Pay Calculator tool we have here on Care.com.

If you do choose to make a child care change, try to include your little ones in the decision as much as possible. If they're old enough to understand, talk to them about money while always reassuring them that everything is okay. If you bring on a new sitter or a nanny, have them meet beforehand to give their opinion. And if you're opting on making a change in your day care pattern, ask for their input—they're the ones who are directly affected. For more advice on changing care options, check out this article, "Transitioning to a New Caregiver."

Are you or your friends thinking about making a change in your kids' day care? What are some things you'll be doing to save? Post a comment to help each other out with more money-saving care ideas.

November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, so I wanted to take the time to spotlight this important issue that impacts so many. For me, it's one that recently hit home, as my aunt was diagnosed with the disease. I’m thankful our relatives in Houston are nearby to be with her.

Alzheimer's is a disease that destroys brain cells, damaging memory and the thought process, eventually leading to behavioral changes and death. According to the Alzheimer's Association, over five million Americans live with the disease. It primarily affects those in the 65+ age bracket, but an estimated 500,000 under age 50 have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Currently, there is no cure, and if trends continue, 10 million baby boomers are expected to contract Alzheimer's.

But there is good news. As awareness and research for treatment and prevention increases, we're beginning to understand how to care for those affected. Early diagnosis can be one of the most effective means of helping patients live with Alzheimer's. By detecting warning signs sooner, they and their families can better prepare for the future.

Tuesday is Memory Screening Day—an annual event where health care professionals offer local and confidential memory screenings to the public.

"By offering the screenings for free and in convenient locations, our hope is that more people will act on any concerns they might have or check out their brain health in general," said Eric J. Hall, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. "It's a way to start the conversation."

While a memory screening isn't an actual diagnosis for Alzheimer's, it can be a method of spotting onset, helping patients determine if they need further testing.

For those of us with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's, determining how to care for them can be an enormous challenge. Eric offered some great advice that applies to all caregivers—both professionals and family members.

"Caregivers should view a loved one as someone 'living with' the disease, and, from that vantage point, take steps to try to improve quality of life," he said. "Don't let the disease impair a person more than necessary."

He suggested having them continue to help with daily tasks as much as possible. Maybe they can't operate the stove or drive anymore, but they could still pitch in around the home on other levels. But those who have Alzheimer's aren't the only ones who need a little extra help—often, their caregivers do, too.

"Caregivers must be informed and must be willing to reach out for help—to take advantage of training and support services that are available," he says. That includes support services for themselves. Taking care of themselves helps them take care of their loved ones."

Dr. Peter Reed, Senior Director of Programs with the Alzheimer's Association agrees.

"Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease poses special challenges and increasing levels of care that can be taxing on a caregiver's health," he said. "Our new Caregiver's Stress Check will help caregivers maintain their own health, which is crucial"

There's a wealth of terrific online resources and local support for patients, family members, and caregivers to access. No one is alone in this battle. For more information, visit the National Memory Screening Day website, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

There have been great advances in treatment of Alzheimer's over the past 15 years. In fact, we've learned more about combating the disease during this span than in all the years since its discovery. With continued support and research, Alzheimer's can be beaten. I hope you'll take the time this month to educate yourself about the disease and help family and friends who are at risk to get screened.

Care.com is a proud supporter of the Alzheimer's Association and its fight for a cure.

Born with a congenital defect that left him eyeless, wheelchair-bound and unable to walk or fully extend his arms, Patrick Henry Hughes has let nothing stop him. The 20-year-old is an award-winning pianist, singer, and trumpet player who's performed at the Kennedy Center and the Grand Ole Opry. And he's also a first time author. His memoir, I Am Potential: Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams has just been published by Da Capo Press.

Patrick Henry took time to chat with us from New York City. He'd just finished an interview on The Today Show—just another stop in this young man's amazing journey.

How were you first introduced to music?

It started when I was about four months old. My father was a music major at University of Louisville. He took care of me during the day. Dad had me fed and changed, but I was still crying, and he didn't know why.

He came up with the idea to lay me on top of our piano and started playing. We still don't know whether I liked it, but I immediately got quiet. Looking back, maybe it terrified me a bit. But I think I might've liked the sounds and the vibrations. The main thing was, I got quiet and that made Dad happy.

When I was about nine months old, old enough to sit up, Dad took the tray off of an old wooden highchair and put it up in front of the piano. I sat there and started playing with one finger, figuring out which note makes what sound. I've been playing ever since

What was life like growing up?

Growing up has been a lot of fun. I've had a wonderful family that's supported me through everything. I always count my blessings and I've had anything that anyone could ask for—a nice roof over my head, good food on the table, and a nice bed to sleep in. I've always been extremely grateful for those things.

Why did you write this book?

I wanted to share my story with the world, and also to encourage people to realize their potential. You're going to face problems on a day-to-day basis. There will be obstacles you think you won't be able to conquer. But if you set your mind to achieve a goal, you can do it.

What advice would you give someone pursuing a goal?

One of my favorite things is an acronym I've created. It's the first three letters of my name—P-A-T.

The P stands for: passion, patience, and perseverance. In order to achieve your goal, you must have a passion for it. Be patient, because it might take a while for your goal to work. That's why you have to persevere. Keep trying! Don't give up!

The A stands for: ability and attitude. Use the abilities you know you have. Plus, keep a positive attitude.

Finally, the T is trust. Trust in yourself. You will achieve your goal eventually.

How does someone find a passion for their life?

Open the door to opportunity. Always remember there are a lot of chances out there, and you'll never know what you can do if you don't take one.

My main message to anyone is, we're all going to face problems and obstacles on a day to day basis. But, really? Big deal! If you set your mind to achieve a goal, you can do it.

Veterans Day always reminds me of my grandfather who served during World War II, surviving imprisonment and a horrible death march. Unfortunately, we don't live nearby. He recently suffered a stroke, passing away at 89 years old. He lived a full life; he was happily married to my grandmother for over 50 years, had ten kids, 23 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and was also a successful attorney. A fellow veteran spoke a few words at his funeral, and I saw, in so many ways, that my grandfather was truly a hero.

I’m thankful I was able to see him this past July, and my parents, aunts, and uncle were all nearby to care for him. Not every family has that opportunity.

On a recent flight, I sat next to a woman who traveled back and forth from Reno, NV to Boston, MA for visits to her 90-year-old mother. Although it was a difficult trip to make, she told me it was worth it to have quality time with her mom. The woman also mentioned that, when she wasn't in town, it was important for her mom to have another steady companion, so she'd arranged regular caretaker visits in her absence.

Connecting to older generations is easily overlooked in our busy-busy, full-speed-ahead lives. But our parents and grandparents are treasure troves of information and it's important to slow down and take the necessary time to share their memories—especially for the kids. Through our older loved ones, we learn where we've come from and they help us figure out where we're going.

Snail mail is a great way to stay connected. If you need conversation topics when you write, try sending pictures—not just of the family, but also of decorations, house projects, or the little ones' events. It'll give you talking points for letters and phone calls while keeping the grandparents up-to-date on everything in your life.

When it comes to war veterans, there are plenty of ways to stay in touch. For example, the Library of Congress started the Veterans' History Project eight years ago as a way to preserve our nation's oral history. Your child can pitch in by interviewing a family member or friend that served during wartime. Record the conversation with a video camera or audiotape and send it to the Library—you'll be making history.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at your local VA office for children of any age. Or you can contact the area chapter and book one of the many veterans willing to come to your kids' school or organization and talk about serving in the military.

During this time of the year, local seniors have seasonal needs that you can help meet. With long lists of gifts to buy, they often need more assistance before the holidays than any other time of year. Check with your elderly neighbors to see if they want a hand (or just a little company) when they're heading to the malls this month.

Adam, our youngest, recently visited a nearby nursing home with his children's choir. The kids sang songs to a packed function hall and then spent a few minutes chatting with the residents. The smiles on both sides of the room were so touching to see (I just wish I had brought my camera)! We already can't wait to go back. If that's something your family would be interested in, call the activities coordinator at an area assisted living or retirement facility and see if there's a project you could get involved with.

What do you do for your parents when you aren't near them? With the holidays coming up, does your family plan on spending time with other elderly folks that may not have relatives nearby? Leave a comment to let us all know your plans!

My sister-in-law, Grace, and I have been talking about hiring someone to help us both run some errands since it could save us time and money. The holiday traditions that make this time of the year so special also add stress to our already-overloaded schedules. But here's the problem—I'm worried about losing some of the "special something" that makes Thanksgiving and Christmas so memorable. Plus, with the economy the way it is, we have to stick to the budget.

This trend of outsourcing the holidays—hiring help for seasonal errands—has been building the past couple years. It's gotten so big now that you can pay for others to shop for presents, wrap gifts and decorate. As technology improved, we sent holiday cards en masse via e-card sites with just the click of a mouse. But if sending a cookie-cutter, cartoon feels too distant, it's still possible to maintain that personal touch (and keep the convenience) by sending customizable, hand-written holiday cards that you can order online already stamped! (Incidentally, my personal favorite is JackCards.com—run by two amazing ladies.)

Other than concerns of losing touch with tradition, one drawback to outsourcing is the expense—especially with what's going on with the economy. Everyone's a little more cost conscious nowadays. Some argue, though, that it's cost-effective to hire help. If holiday stress is taking you away from your job, you actually save money by hiring help that costs less than you make.

Am I really ready to outsource or use Care Gigs this year? I’m not sure yet. The thing is, I love being able to pick out the perfect gift for Ron or one of the boys! So what if it took me hours of hunting through stores, battling crowds for the last gift box and parking space? What about mealtimes? Does coming together, as a family, for dinner and holiday cheer mean less if I choose not to slave over the stove myself? And with this current economic crisis, we do have to be careful of our bottom line, making sure that every aspect of the holidays—whether that includes hiring help or not—fits into the family budget.

Then again, perhaps hiring a little help would free up more time to spend with the family. After all, that's what the holiday season is about. I sure could use a hand with all of the errands and housecleaning that need to get done before the relatives arrive.

How about you? What areas could you use extra help this holiday season, around the house and out on errands?

P.S. By the way, Natalie, our former nanny, just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Abigail. We all were very excited for her family!

We'd like to wish a hearty, post-Halloween congratulations to the winners of the 1st Annual Care.com Halloween Costume Contest.

Our staff voted for Beefy the Bulldog in the pets' category. That leopard-print hat must have pushed him over the top!

And, in the kids' category, Rachel takes the prize dressed as the cutest flower pot you'll ever see. Her costume came with a watering can/candy bucket and was 100% homemade. Very creative!

Thanks to all who participated this year. It was so much fun seeing all of your great costumes. Can't wait until next year!

With all the different Halloween parties at school, for sports teams and at friends' homes, our kids are getting absolutely smothered in sweets this time of the year. Sometimes, I worry about the effects of all that sugar on my little guy's health, so I put together ideas for a candy-free Halloween. Don't worry, though. Just because you're losing the sweets doesn't mean you can't have fun!

Enter the Sugar Fairy
If your kids are still young enough, introduce them to the Sugar Fairy. When they come back with bags bulging with candy, have them pick out their 10-20 favorites. Then, leave the rest out for the "Sugar Fairy." She'll come in the night, take the sack of sweets and replace it with a gift. And if your kids are older, the gift/bribe will still work when the fairy ruse doesn't. Donate the leftovers bags of goodies to a local food pantry.

Cash for Candy
Many dentists run Halloween promotions where they'll pay your little ones for bringing in candy. Usually, they'll set a price per pound to promote a cavity-free holiday (We all know that the dentist's chair is way scarier than any ghost or ghoul, right?). Check in with your local office to see if they're running a candy exchange this year.

Passing Out Playthings
Help your whole neighborhood stay candy-free by replacing the usual basket o' treats with fun toy giveaways. Hand out mini-Play-Doh containers, temporary tattoos, glow sticks, or spooky wax fangs. Your local dollar store should have no end of cheap goodies to help break up the candy monopoly.

Host a Throwback Harvest Party
Way, way, way back in the day, we weren't buried under mountains of sugary temptations every holiday. Bring back some of the old-fashioned games with a fall Harvest Party—bob for apples, carve pumpkins and build a homemade "fright alley" that the neighborhood kids can run themselves. They'll be having so much fun that they won't notice there's not an ounce of sugar in sight!

Alt. Candy
The list of edible candy alternatives to pass out at your front door or bring to parties seems endless: raisin boxes, chip bags, trail mix, snack bars, roasted pumpkin seeds, and dried fruit should get you started. Start a new holiday tradition and get your kids involved in healthy baking and snack-making. They'll be proud to show off their own creations and have fun doing it, too!

If you have little ones with food allergies among your family or friends, Halloween can be a tough time for them since so many types of candy include traces of nuts or gluten. Check out this Care.com article on kids, food allergies and Halloween.

Are you trying to cut out the candy this Halloween? Or just trying to find a few alternatives to keep the kids (and yourself) healthy this fall? Let me know by joining the conversation with a comment below!

Last week, I read an article about four infants dying in China after drinking melamine-tainted, powdered milk. It was incredibly sad. Melamine is the same dangerous chemical that's been popping up in candy content worldwide.

With Halloween around the corner and our little guy full of excitement about trick or treating, should we be concerned about the candy that our kids get? Here are a few pointers to make sure our little ones stay happy and safe while they're out trick or treating.

Staying Melamine-Free
The media focused most of its attention regarding melamine-tainted candy to Cadbury's and their famous, yummy Crème Eggs. The good news about the health scandal is that the dangerous, China-made chocolates weren't exported to the United States, so all of those goodies are safe here. However, the FDA has found melamine in the lesser-known White Rabbit Candies made by QFCO—both in California and Connecticut. Watch out for that brand and don't let your kids eat it!

Dangers for the Little, Little Ones
Many treats can be choking hazards for your young ones. Watch out for oversized gum balls, lollipops, hard candy and, yes, popcorn. Stick to chocolates, cookies or even fruit smoothies and chocolate milk when it comes to Halloween treats for tots.

Also, did you know that peanut allergies have doubled over the past five years? If your toddler hasn't been tested yet, it's a good idea to take away all trick or treat loot containing nuts. Check the labels for all the candy you take in if your child is allergic—I was surprised to find out that even jelly beans can contain peanut flour! To help keep protests down, stock up on safe candy in advance and swap it with your child—piece for piece—and keep the peace! Check out this Care.com article about kids and food allergies during Halloween, too.

Just Toss It
This is basic advice, but it's always a good reminder to immediately throw away unwrapped candy or pieces that have ripped or opened packaging. Wash and slice any fruit, too, to protect your children from anything that might have been slipped inside. Use your judgment on homemade goodies, as well—if it's not from someone you know, throw it away.

Talk to Your Kids
Before you head out trick or treating, have a safety chat with your kids. Have them watch out for anything suspicious. Tell them not to eat anything until you've inspected it first, after you get home. Prepping your little ones to wait to eat their loot in advance will save you from any meltdowns while on the candy trail. Since they won't be sampling any of their goodies while collecting, bring some of their favorite treats along to munch.

Halloween is so much fun for the kids. They're so cute when they're all dressed up! What are some of the things you do to keep the little ones are safe this time of year? Share your thoughts in a comment below!

Also, check out prior posts on safe costumes for kids and Halloween pet safety.

Have a spook-tacular holiday!

Boo!

I'm happy to announce the 1st Annual Care.com Halloween Costume Contest! We're getting into the spooky spirit over here at Care HQ and wanted to share that fun with everyone.

I've got two Visa gift cards loaded with $100 sitting in front of me as I type. And I can't wait to give them away! One is for the best kids' costume and the other is for the best pets' costume. All you have to do is go to the Care.com Halloween Costume Contest group on Flickr, upload your photos by November 2, and we'll announce the winner in the next week's newsletter.

So snap some shots—if you haven't already—and upload them. We all can't wait to see how creative (and spooky) you can be!

Good luck… and Happy Halloween!