Mom Talk Q&A

Moms Council: Mom Talk is a new feature on Campbell Patch that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Campbell Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Campbell.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. Do you know of local moms raising their children in the Tiger Mother's way, and is it the best way? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children? How do we talk to our children about the Tucson shootings? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks?

So, grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today with a question from Anne Michelle Frances, owner of Ohana Board Shop and mother of three, and pitch in what you think. 

Q: What is the best way to find part-time child care? It seems easier to find full-time care than hiring for two or three half-days per week.

I am looking for an experienced mami to work in my home.

A:  Annemarie, I would say that you are already doing what seems to work best.  Word of Mouth is  a great way to find someone you can trust to care for your children part-time. Just getting it out there will help lead you to the right person. Talking to as many moms and a few mom's groups can only help.

Posing this question to "The Patch" was another great idea. I, myself  have been a nanny for a prominent family for the past 16 years and other families before that. I now have a 2 year old daughter and will soon be looking for work as the kids that I care for are now 16 and 18.  

I would like to hear more about what your needs are. I am looking for part time work where I can bring my daughter with me or watch other kids at my house. I have excellent references, impeccable records, am a non-smoker/drug user, etc.
I know it is almost as difficult for a nanny to find the right job out there as it is for a mom to find the right nanny.

The nanny agencies charge an arm and a leg (with only the leg going to the nanny herself). This is rough when it comes to part time employment and most difficult to find temporary help.

Try Care.com. I have just started looking there and Craigslist might work, however it was a little scary for me as I responded to one job and found out it was a scam.

Whichever way you find yourself a nanny, make sure you check her references as well as  criminal and DMV records. Be good to her and you will most likely have a loyal employee who will become part of the family. --Kelly