I
want you to meet Tiffany. An Associate Editor on our Content Team, Tiffany
edits the helpful articles and resources our families and caregivers use on a
daily basis. Here, she talks about her own care challenge – and how she tackled
it!
I
have a secret. Before you read this blog, you have promise never to tell anyone.
Swear?
Before
finding her, I was a last-minute tidier. I kept things neat, often in stacks
and piles. It was "clean," but for my standards. Then, right before people came
over, I panicked, scrubbed, vacuumed – even hid. But I would have rather been
cooking or spending those last peaceful moments with my husband.
And
I would still get those dreaded comments from my houseguests, namely my mother
and mother-in-law. I live a good three hours away and when they visit, they
come in like Miss Hannigan from Annie,
inspecting my apartment and saying things like "Do you want me to rinse this?"
and "Is your vacuum cleaner broken?"
The
worst was one time after I spent three days cleaning I came home from work to find
my MIL (who was staying with us) re-cleaning! I was devastated.
Yes,
I come from a long line of cleaners, and I can admit that growing up I watched
my mom spend countless hours cleaning our house -- every day. So perhaps
subconsciously, I knew I never wanted that to become my life. (Doesn’t every
daughter blame everything on her mom?)
I
realized I needed professional help (and not just therapy). I needed a housekeeper.
Now,
five months later, I’ve never been happier. My amazing cleaning woman comes
once a month to take care of the apartment. I don’t fight with my husband about
whose turn it is to clean the kitchen. I don’t have to nudge him towards the
vacuum. He doesn’t have to ask me about the scary soap scum in the shower.
We’ll
probably get around to having kids -- eventually. And I’ve heard they can be a
little messy. I can’t imagine not having a cleaning person to help. She even
does my spring cleaning. She dusts
inside the baseboard heaters, scours the oven and cleans the back of the
fridge. (I didn’t even know you had to do that!)
But
here’s where I put her to the test: This Thanksgiving I hosted both families for
the first time. They each separately commented about how clean the apartment
looked. And I proudly smiled and thanked them.
They’ll
never know our little secret.
Tell me, is there a care need you caved
and purchased? Is there something your house cleaner does you love her/him for?
I have a fun Thanksgiving
tradition. I get together with a group of people
I used to work with right after college – and we have a mini "Friends-giving."
The tradition started a long time ago before most of us had families or big
dining rooms and kitchens. Before most of us knew how to cook – or wanted to
learn. The focus wasn’t on the food. It was about getting together. We bought
all the food and sides from a rotisserie chicken place in New England called
Boston Market. And it was a feast.
Now our families have grown, and
so have our taste buds. Over the years, people have started cooking real,
delicious food. They've brined turkeys, mashed potatoes, made pie crusts --
from scratch!
This year, I am hosting. And I
here's my secret: I'm going back to getting take-out. It’s all part of my goal
on being "less perfect" and focusing on what's really important. The purpose of
this is to be together. It was never about the food.
Thanksgiving can get so stressful.
Add kids, in-laws and a house packed with guests to the mix and suddenly you can’t
wait to gobble down your food and get everyone out the door. I suggest adopting
a little bit of my "less perfect" plan for your holiday too (No, I don’t only mean
getting fast-food!). Here are some ideas:
Buy your appetizers. They're not the main event!
Ask everyone to bring one side dish or a dessert.
Make two kid-friendly foods so you don't have to hear
whining if they don't eat turkey (microwavable macaroni counts!). (Here are 9
kid-friendly recipes)
Cook your favorite dish (you will really look
forward to eating it!)
Assign chores, even to the kids. Do this a week in advance,
and start jobs 2 days before.
Get kids to create the table décor. That way, it's not
perfect -- it's adorable!
Focus on being together. Find a game for the kids to play
together (here are some kiddie
table activities), and another game for
the adults to play after the kids go to bed. This should be fun and festive.
The dishes can wait for Friday!
Tell me, what is your best tip to
stay calm over the holidays?
Last week, I posted Care.com’s 2011 Top 5 Gifts for Caregivers and promised that I'd decode the gift of money this week. We tip waiters with every restaurant meal, but when it comes to our caregivers, we may be a little out of practice when calculating the right monetary "thank you." A spa gift certificate, homemade cupcakes, a tip or a bonus? The truth is that, when you find someone who truly cares for your family, the holidays are a great opportunity to show your gratitude – and ensure that your caregiver happily stays with you throughout the new year. To help determine the right holiday gift, check out the guide below for part two of our holiday celebration for caregivers:
Nannies Provide full-time nannies and au pairs with a holiday bonus – the equivalent of one week's salary.
While this is the standard, if finances are tight this year, consider giving your nanny an extra week to a few days of paid vacation spread out during the following year. Add a homemade gift. Don't forget that generally, nannies do not get paid vacations on the major winter holidays, including Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years. If you ask them to help out on any of these days, be sure to pay time and a half.
Babysitters For babysitters who care for your children on a regular basis, provide a tip – about one or two night's pay. If you want to thank an occasional sitter who helps out on date nights or provides back-up care, send a card with a gift certificate (see last week's post for specific ideas) of about $25.00-$50.00. Again, nice homemade goodies, made with help from the kids, are also a great "thank you."
Special Needs Caregivers Special needs caregivers can play a crucial role in the lives of our children and loved ones. Like nannies, if your special needs caregiver is full-time, provide the one week salary holiday bonus. If he or she visits only occasionally, stick with the one-or-two-visit tipping rule. However, if your caregiver goes the extra mile in caring for your loved one, make sure that your gesture reflects his or her dedication.
Tutors A tip equivalent to one tutoring session is appropriate for tutors who have really made an impact on your child's learning, and I also like to involve my guys in the gift-giving by having them make a thank you card or small gift.
Senior Caregivers If your full-time senior caregiver is employed independently by you and your family, operate under the one-week-salary bonus rule or two weeks for caregivers that have been with your family for multiple years. If he or she is employed through an agency or works at your senior's facility, be sure to check with the management regarding policies on tipping. If you know that the caregiver has really gone out of their way to make your aging parent or loved one as happy and well-cared for as possible, give a little extra – check out The Gift of Relaxation section from last week.
Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers An occasional pet sitter could get a gift card or an equivalent to an extra day's pay. For a dog walker that comes by when you're at work and on a daily basis, provide the typical week's salary as a holiday tip. And if you make regular visits to the groomer, give them a little tip or gift as well.
Housekeepers In general, housekeepers should receive anywhere from 50 percent to 100 percent of their usual weekly fee. Accompany your holiday tip with a nice card or holiday goodies. If you occasionally hire a house cleaner to come in before a house party or a visit from relatives, a tip is nice, but not necessary.
Ultimately, bonuses are greater amounts for full-time caregivers, and tips are a percentage or extra full day’s pay for part-time or occasional caregivers. Whether you choose to give presents, extra paid vacation time, bonuses, or tips this holiday season, ensure that your gift matches your own feelings of gratitude towards the caregivers of your loved ones.
Check out these articles for additional holiday reading:
Every year around the holidays, the Care Team and I notice that families are struggling to find the right gifts for their caregivers. I know from experience – finding that ideal present can be surprisingly difficult. Our caregivers occupy a very special and unique place in our lives. It can be hard to believe that from a simple online profile, they become so much more: our sanity-keepers, peacemakers, stress-relievers, lifesavers, and trusted allies. We call them when there's an emergency. We call them when we need a break. And, every day, we trust them with the most important things in the world: our children, parents, pets, and homes. So how do you say that super-special thank you?
Idea #1: The Gift of Relaxation You know that your caregiver could likely use some relaxation time – because you know exactly the kinds of messes they've been cleaning, the kids they've been running after, and the dogs they've been walking. Spa gift certificates, including pedicures, manicures, massages, and even time at the hair salon, are all great gifts. Stop by your local spa or salon to ask about a gift card or purchase online. A great fit for babysitters, nannies, housekeepers, pet sitters, and senior caregivers.
Idea #2: The Gift of Good Cheer Help your caregiver eat, drink, and be merry with special treats that they wouldn't buy for themselves. I'm partial to gift baskets with a mix of healthy and decadent options, like pears with chocolates. To go even healthier, check out local options, such as farm shares and co-ops for potential veggie deliveries to your caregiver's doorstep during the growing months. For the decadent route, find near-by specialty stores and support your local community with wine or cheese basket gifts for your caregiver.
Idea #3: The Gift of Tech Giving that perfect tech-toy can be a great fit for more than just the younger generation of college caregivers. I know our housekeeper is always plugged into her iPod and favorite playlist. IPod nanos are currently about $129.00, and iPod shuffles are even less: $49.00. If your babysitter is already rocking out with an iPod, consider an iTunes gift card. Another great gift this year is Amazon's Kindle at $79.00. (And just a nerdy techie sidenote: after Black Friday, their latest Kindle Fire tablet, priced at $199.00, is rivaling Apple's $499.00 iPad).
Idea #4: The Gift of Heart Since caregivers can play such uniquely intimate roles in our lives, consider making a homemade gift if you are looking for a more personal way to say "Thank you." Get the kids involved. Visit the local craft store for fun ideas like homemade soap or candle-making kits. Take a great picture of your nanny playing with your kids, and have your little ones help you put together a festive magnetic frame for the fridge or even a beautiful ornament for your caregiver's tree or home. Snap a picture of your dog in a Santa hat - this is also a great idea for pet sitters and dog walkers.
Idea #5: The Gift for the Whole Family Finally, think about giving a gift that your caregiver's entire family will enjoy. If you want to go the food route, don't forget to take any food allergies into consideration. For example, if anyone in your caregiver's family has a gluten allergy, find gluten-free baked goodies, and create a unique food allergy-friendly basket. Buy a subscription to a print or e-magazine, like Living Without for food allergy families or fun kid magazines, like National Geographic Kids. If you have any pics of your caregiver with his or her family, add them to digital picture frame for a great family gift.
As you review these options and try to decide on how much you should spend in time and money, think about your caregiver's relationship with your family. I generally recommend going bigger for nannies, housekeepers, pet caretakers and senior caregivers that have become honorary members of the family. Consider smaller gifts for occasional babysitters, pet sitters, and dog walkers. And of course cash is always welcome, but do you know how much to give? Tune in next week to our article on tipping.
As a female entrepreneur, I've spent a lot of time in the last year speaking about the power of women in the economy. From local colleges in Boston to the World Economic Forum in China, I've shared my story of starting a company while raising two boys. But I've found that it's impossible for me to discuss my own rise as a working mother – and the juggle of building a career and a family – without crediting Ron, my husband, both in the workplace and at home.
I know first-hand how important dads are in the modern family. Ron, my husband since college, has always approached our life as a "we." When we had Ryan as young parents he was equally involved in the childcare. We attended graduate school together. When I started Care.com, Ron ensured that we would be able to do it. We both worked at what we loved to do – raising a family and starting Care.com. Ron took on the early role to be my watchful and intuitive partner; sometimes questioning, never discouraging, always there.
Ron isn't alone. Our generation of dads – which includes President Barack Obama, who often discusses and wrote about his parenting roles – started a wave of active parenting that I'm excited to see has only continued in the younger Generation Y group. Whether it's because of younger twentysomethings who view work and life through the prism of their own happiness and fulfillment; or that the poor economy has disproportionately affected men through job losses; or simply, the reality that more women are in the workplace resulting in household equity at home, there is a shift of men from traditional "provider" roles to "nurturer" ones. And we're seeing it on Care.com, too. Fathers are playing a big role on Care.com as displayed in postings for childcare jobs to discussions in our Groups page to even a recent Today.com story about a dad who found a childcare job on Care.com.
I usually end my speeches asking both men and women to take a pledge to encourage more equity, both at home and in the workplace. I personally feel it's critical to the growth of our economy. But I believe it goes both ways. Companies need to recognize the rise of both parents sharing childcare responsibilities.
And we at Care.com hear from companies looking to keep their employees focused, engaged and inspired. Familiar parenting terms, right? I believe the answer is respect, collaboration and giving people the ability to love their whole life. If that means ensuring that a dad can do pick-up or drop-off everyday, then find a way to make it work.
So, what do you think? Do you see this shift in modern dads playing more of a role in parenting and nurturing kids? What role do they play in child care?
How do your and your spouse's companies compare? Do you feel they'd be supportive of shared parenting roles?
I'd love to hear from you and your spouse. What changes do companies and society need to make to have shared parenting more of the norm?
Whether you’ve hired a nanny, dog walker, or housekeeper, you are now a manager. If you are currently navigating your way through the intense process of posting a job, interviewing prospective caregivers, calling references, and requesting background checks, you soon will become one.
As the Care.com Management Team and I know on a daily basis, being a manager is not nearly as easy as it may appear at first glance. We have to constantly work at ensuring that the perfect balance is met; that our employees have the right tools and motivation to do their jobs to the best of their ability.
As the manager of caregivers, your workspace is your home. Not only are you relying on your employees to give 100% at their job, but you are trusting them with your children, your pets or your home. It is important to acknowledge that this trust amplifies the significance of your relationship. Here are the top 10 tips in managing your care provider that we've gathered from our parenting experts to keep your family and your provider happy and running smoothly:
Make a Contract. Signing a contract requires both you and your caregiver to agree to specified terms. Expectations are set and clear. You are also protected from a legal standpoint. For more information, check out this article on Nanny Contracts.
Write Out a Schedule. In addition to the bigger picture expectations that you outline in the contract, write out a schedule for your caregiver to refer to throughout the day. It can be a loose outline or an itemized To-Do list – whatever works best for you and the caregiver. Feel free to use this example of a Housekeeping Checklist.
Build Trust. When you welcome someone into your home, you are trusting them to treat you, your family, and your house with respect. Give your caregiver the same respect. Don’t forget to ask your caregiver about their life outside your walls! It will go a long way. Take a look at what our mom blogger, Ellen Seidman, has to say about having a great relationship with your nanny.
Set Boundaries. At the same time that you show respect, it is also crucial that you set boundaries. Make sure your caregiver understands his or her job parameters. If you don’t want your housekeeper doing your laundry, make it clear.
Check Your Gut Reactions. Conflicts will arise in any workplace. Before you react to a problem, try to take a moment and breathe. When you decide to address the issue with your caregiver, remember that his or her intentions were likely good, and your goal is simply to ensure that the problem does not continue to occur.
Celebrate the Victories. When your caregiver helps your child to get an A on a big test or your dog walker teaches your pup a new trick, celebrate! Let the tutor or the pet sitter know that you really appreciate his or her work with a little gift or even just kind words – these small gestures can really mean a lot.
Check In with Your Caregiver. On a regular basis, once a week or once a month – whatever works best with your schedules – take the time to meet with your caregiver. At Care.com, we call these one-on-ones. It gives you both a chance to talk about what’s working, what can be fixed, and how things are generally going.
Stay Connected. Open the lines of communication by encouraging your caregiver to text you with little updates throughout the day. Our Editor-in-Chief, Wendy Sachs, loves the banter that “ranges from utilitarian to insightful.” If texting or e-mailing isn’t your style, have a community whiteboard or leave little notes.
Give Vacation Days, Sick Time and Tips. If you have a steady dog walker or housekeeper, be sure to remember them around the winter holidays with a homemade goodies or a little extra bonus. For employees that work full-time, like a nanny, it is important to also provide paid sick time and vacation days. Check out these articles: Etiquette Experts Say People Should Tip Service Providers and Tipping Points – Give or Yule Be Sorry!
Say Thank You. Don’t forget to say thank you. While you do have a business relationship, nannies and employees who work in your home have a special window into your life, which can bring you closer together than office interactions. Acknowledge this by being respectful and giving thanks.
Last week I wrote about the guilt of working parents and introduced this survey below. If you haven't yet had a chance, I would love to hear from you. This information helps us to provide you with a great Care.com experience.
There are so many metaphors working moms embrace to describe the constant push and pull between our home and work lives. But whether we are juggling or balancing or burning or simply spinning, we're all trying to find something that is emotionally and physically sustainable. I've never met a mom that isn't always trying to tweak or improve. Inevitably, I hear about moms who have found a solution by giving something up: sleeping, working out, being with friends, or even spending time with their spouses.
Tina Fey’s recent New Yorkerarticle really laid it out. The rudest question you can ever ask a working mom: “How do you juggle it all?” Meaning, of course, “You’re screwing it all up, aren’t you?”
I think Tina Fey has spoken for millions of working moms everywhere.
I've chronicled my own life right here in this blog, after all. I realized long ago that there is no possible way that I could found a company and have the career I wanted without help. Frankly, Care.com wouldn’t exist today if it weren’t for the amazing men and women that Ron and I have had the honor of working with on everything from keeping the house in running order to the boys’ homework projects at the kitchen table.
While I don't think it's possible for moms to escape that nagging feeling of guilt – we were always told that we could do it all - I have felt liberated to be part of a generation that is saying that it's okay to ask for help.
On our site, the data says it all: 30% of our members join our site because their caregiver left. Since nannies and caregivers of all kinds can be major cogs in the family machine, we’ve found that their departures can be incredibly disruptive. Likewise, 39% of members need our services because something changed at work. Just a small schedule change or even a promotion that requires more time in the office can throw off the careful balance – how many times have you raced to daycare to try and make it before the 6 p.m. closing time?
Through our State of Care studies, we learned that fewer than 10% of families have access to the following employer child care benefits: off-site child care center, access to backup care, on-site child care center, or subsidized child care.
And when it comes to the cost of care, families with 2 or more children are really paying the motherlode. According to Census data, these families are paying 133% of the median annual rent payment or 60% of the median annual mortgage payment – just for child care.
I don't think even IBM's Watson computer – who beat out the best of the best on Jeopardy last week – could answer the question of a work-life solution for moms.
But I'm in it. And I'm working everyday to make sure that moms – both at home and in the workplace – find help. If there's one sure thing that all moms can agree on is this: help is necessary.
So no matter your situation at work or at home, take 5 minutes, and do something about it now:
And once moms have a little help, they can work on the things they need for themselves, like working out, sleep and oh yeah, a little intimacy with our spouses.
I’ve been asking myself that lately. And, in fact, we’ve discussed that very question in detail at Care.com. We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help your family run smoothly and stay happy.
Can a website help bring you happiness? We hope so and would love to earn your trust by delivering a service that meets your most heartfelt needs and gives you the support to to thrive and be happy.
Tell me, what does happiness mean to your family? Post a comment below and let me know!
Happiness is family. For us, happiness starts in the home. As parents, Ron and I pour heart and soul into our two boys. They are our greatest treasure. We work to provide for their needs, carve out time to make memories together, and support them as they pursue their dreams.
Looking ahead, when the time comes for us to care for our parents, we want to give them the best care possible.
The connections we have between family and loved ones bring meaning to our lives.
“All else being equal, happy people have better relationships, are more likely to thrive at work, and also live better and longer,” says Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard professor in his excellent book Happier. “Happiness is a worthwhile pursuit, whether as an end in itself or as a means toward other ends.”
“The condition that is said to trump all others in importance is the strength and number of a person’s relationships,” writes Jonathan Haidt in the best-seller The Happiness Hypothesis. “Good relationships make people happy, and happy people enjoy more and better relationships than unhappy people.” Happiness is taking care of yourself. It isn’t always easy taking care of our families. There have been a slew of recent stories about parenting and happiness. And, if you go by the statistics, things don’t look very upbeat. In fact, I just read a feature in New York Magazine, “All Joy and No Fun: Why Parents Hate Parenting,” that went into detail on recent studies that indicate having children doesn’t increase parents’ overall sense of happiness (the numbers don’t necessarily say it goes down, either).
Whether it’s providing care for your children or looking after elderly relatives, caregiving isn’t an easy task (just ask Clare Maklan who shared her personal story of balancing work and caregiving at the first-ever Care Summit). However, it is something we do out of love.
But we often find we can’t do it alone. Years ago, when my dad had emergency heart surgery and I had to find care for both him and our boys, I knew I needed help! It’s okay to reach out when you need a hand. Nowadays, it’s all about building a strong support network to help care for your family. You can’t do it by yourself and you aren’t alone.
That’s why Care.com is here. Our goal at Care.com is to provide moms, parents, daughters, and other caregivers the support they need so they can also find time for themselves. After all, happiness is taking care of yourself, too. Happiness is time. In a world where you’re juggling email, texting, answering phone calls, and checking day planners while simultaneously shuffling the kids off to school and getting yourself out the door in the morning, we need time for being and not just doing. And we need it now more than ever. We need time to pursue the things in life that bring fulfillment and purpose, whether that’s time with your family or following your passions.
In our family, that means Ron and I actively find ways to spend time with each other doing something we enjoy like gardening or going on a family bike ride. We love to attend our sons’ sports games, encourage our children to participate in community theater and we take great pleasure in watching our youngest son pursue his love of singing with a local children’s chorus. Happiness is also pursuing meaning and purpose. We’re a service started by parents who want to help other parents. I’m a working mom, so I know how challenging it can be to establish work/life balance. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that we are a team who truly cares about our members and is able to help the hundreds of thousands of families that we do each month.
Here’s a link to the “About Us” section of Care.com where you’ll learn more about the great group of people I work with. And we also have a neat group called the Mom Force. It’s a team of stay-at-home moms who work with us on safety and member care issues. They do a great job reviewing every profile and job post before we publish them, helping us keep our service safe and secure.
At Care.com, we are spending more time reading about the science of happiness (one of my favorites just came out—Tony Hsieh’s Delivering Happiness), talking about what it means to be happy, and discussing what we can do together to build a great culture and better company. It takes happy employees to deliver you an exceptional service.
We’re spending all this time talking and thinking about happiness because it’s so important to what we do at Care.com. We’re here to help happy families run. That mission starts in our own homes and reaches to every part of the service we offer.
We know what it’s like to be a parent. We know that sinking feeling where you feel trapped between work and your kids. When that happens and you need help the most to find balance and happiness, we want to be there for you. This is all about families helping families—the Care.com family helping you find great care because when you have fabulous care, well, then you can be happy. :-)
Wendy Sachs is the new editor-in-chief of Care.com and the author of How She Does It—a book about successful stay-at-work moms. This week, I’ve asked Wendy to write about a growing movement that seeks to provide our nannies and senior care providers with much-needed support and protection. These trusted caregivers look after our children and loved ones. It’s time they were taken care of, as well!
We’ve all been there. Your baby cries on your shoulder just as you’re leaving for the office. Your toddler tugs on your pant leg pleading with you to take off your heels and pretty please not go to work today. The guilt can feel like a knife in the gut. But millions of moms and dads are able to continue to pay the bills and thrive in our careers because of the dedicated and committed work of caregivers across the country with whom we entrust our children.
Shockingly, there is no federal protection regulating work hours, sick leave or vacation time for nannies, housekeepers or senior care providers. But in the state of New York that may be about to change.
If signed by Governor Paterson, a New York law will protect the estimated 200,000 domestic workers in the New York metropolitan area alone, including nannies, senior care providers, and housekeepers—those here legally and illegally alike. This first of its kind, this Bill of Rights for caregivers and housekeepers will protect many who have historically been exempt from the labor laws that protect most American workers. The law would guarantee a half dozen national holidays, five days vacation, and seven sick days annually, all paid, plus overtime compensation and at least one day off weekly.
The bill will not only empower caregivers (who are overwhelmingly women) but also give a guide to their employers on compensation and expectations. Open, honest communication between nannies and the moms/dads who employ them is critical for job satisfaction, loyalty, and retention. While most families are diligent about paying fair wages and creating a healthy and respectful work environment for their caregivers, the reality is that some nannies and sitters feel taken for granted and even sometimes exploited. Having no real guidebook to follow as far as “nannyquette” goes, parents are often shocked to learn that they are treating a caregiver unfairly.
While some in New York bristle at the proposed new law that may cost additional money and hassle to pay overtime and vacation, I think it’s long overdue to finally have labor protection for our most valuable employees—our children’s caregivers.
I applaud New York in taking a lead on protecting those legions of hard working nannies and sitters who make it feasible for many of us to go to work with a clear conscience and a less heavy heart. It’s time for the country to extend protection to all domestic workers. They should not be vulnerable any longer.
Don’t you just love showing off a new outfit or hairstyle? I think that’s half the fun of going shopping or visiting the hairdresser in the first place!
Well, it’s the same thing with Care.com: we have a new look and we want you to check it out!
We’ve worked behind the scenes for a long time to give Care.com a new ‘do. But it’s more than a makeover—we’ve redesigned our site to make it easier to find the care you need for children, adults & seniors, pets, and home. Come take a look!
New Categories The main thing you’ll notice about the site is that we have four new tabs on the top, left-hand side of the page: Children, Adults & Seniors, Pets, and Home & Lifestyle. We’ve divided the categories by the four main types of care members search for on Care.com.
New Ways to Search for Care If you’re a parent looking for child care, we’re helping you get started by letting you search for the specific type of care provider you’re looking for: babysitters, nannies, special needs care, au pairs, summer care, tutors, and day cares. You’ll find all of these options right on the “Children” tab.
The same goes for families in need of adult or senior care. You can find specific types of providers like those with special needs training or tutors and teachers in the “Adults & Seniors” category.
As always, posting a job is still the easiest way for you to find the care you need. It’s free, too!
Where is…? Special Needs and Tutoring & Lessons If you’re looking for our special needs service or tutoring and lessons, we’ve split those categories into two age groups and now offer them specifically for children or adults. If you’re a member looking for help in either of those categories, we’ve made your search easier by specifying what types of care you’re looking for from the very beginning.
To find a specific special needs service, just hover your mouse over the Children or Adults & Seniors tab and select the option you need. The same goes for tutors, too!
Housekeeping & Care Gigs We created a new category of service called “Home & Lifestyle.” Here, you’ll find our housekeeping service, as well as our Care Gigs category which helps you find personal assistants, errand runners, shoppers, and more!
Care-on-Call If you’re looking for last-minute babysitters, special needs care, in-home senior care, or pet sitters, then you need Care-on-Call! You’ll be able to broadcast your needs to local care providers within seconds. You can still access Care-on-Call by visiting www.care.com/careoncall or via the drop down menus.
Care Exchange Looking to trade child care or pet sitting services with another Care.com member? You can post ads listing your needs or connect with local families through Care Exchange. You’ll find Care Exchange in the Children or the Pets tabs or by clicking www.care.com/careexchange.
Articles & Resources We have loads of resources for your family from our babysitter pay calculator to educational articles on caregiving. You’ll still find those areas of our site by checking out each of the categories and clicking “Articles & Resources.”
So what do you think about our new look? I’d love to hear your feedback, so leave a comment. Post any questions you have, too! We’ll have our Member Care team respond ASAP.
