New York Nanny Center » work vs. family

Why pay a membership for a sitter service?

Lindsay Bell — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:34:00 +0000

We often get asked, “Why should I pay a membership fee to hire asitter” and the answer is simple…

Mom and dad’s are very busy and juggling family, work, and life can be such adaily challenge. Add in trying to find trustworthy sitters through one’spersonal network, then screening those prospective sitters and the process canbe daunting.

Joining an elite company such as Lucky Lil’ Darlings (LLD) enables youto take the trouble, and hard work out of the mix. First and foremost,LLD is a trusted company that hand selects each sitter. In addition to findingtop-notch sitters, we conduct extensive screening, ensuring a properlybackground checked and college educated sitter. In addition, we have alsoperfected the LLD sitter match. We are experts at finding the rightsitter for your kids and ensure a fun, reliable addition to your family, makingthe process secure and painless.

Havinga reliable person you can speak with about your individual family needs alsoreally takes the pressure off. Sometimes you need to discuss options for yourchild-sitting needs. Whether you need a weekly sitter for date night, a holidaysitter for your next family vacation or just an extra set of hands on theweekends, LLD’s personal service really helps configure the best solution foryour family. We have loads of experienced sitters for all occasions: parties,vacations, corporate events etc, and we’ve seen it all. The level of experiencewe provide is hard to match, and as an LLD member you can tap into ourinformation anytime, with a quick call or email.

Another great benefit is being able to book sitters last minute. Even ifyour “regular” nanny/sitter is booked, LLD has an extensive databaseof amazing, available sitters, and can accommodate last minute requests: what’sbetter than that!?

Hereare some of the highlights to being an LLD member:

–LLD’s sitters are the best in the business and become true, long term rolemodels for your children.

–LLD provides a loyal and genuine local community for elite, urban families.Our families are friends, we have great local events that enable fun familynetworking, hearing about amazing local deals and being plugged in to awonderful group of mom and dad’s that like you are looking to engage.

–LLD’s Secure Screening Process is extensive, organized, and thorough toalways ensure your Lil’ Darlings arealways in the best of hands.

–LLD’s core mission is to provide the utmost highest quality of family caresolutions in a convenient & efficient manner. We have the reputationin the business for finding the best childcare providers for your family.

–LLD’scomprehensive suite of family care offerings reduces daily stress for busy,modern families. You tell us what you need and we do all the work!

-LB

Bring Back Family Dinners!

Lindsay Bell — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:30:00 +0000

By AllisonBrooks

This is the 21st Century! Home ofthe overworked, underpaid, tired and in dire need of “me” time.Parents, children, husbands, wives and extended family are become isolated fromeach other, due to disparate schedules, after school activities, work and amyriad of other reasons. These days, people go to the nearest drive thru andeat on the run, order takeout and plop down on the counter, or use convenienceand processed foods to prepare some semblance of a meal.

Family dynamics may have changed in the past 50 years, but the inherent desireto hold the family together still remains important. Circumstances mightindicate that the concept of family is disintegrating and that may be the casefor some people. The simple fact is that we are human and we need each other. Away that we can keep our family units strong and together is to sit togetherand to eat together. We need to nourish not only our bodies, but also ourminds, spirits and souls.

Research has shown that families that make the time to have dinner together arehappier, stronger and better prepared to negotiate life’s difficulties. Eatingtogether is a mutually beneficial experience for adults and children. Sittingand enjoying a meal together promotes open communication, better appetites anda more positive outlook on life. This is why many RD’s and nurses recommend afamily meal at least once a day. Not only in the home but facilities likenursing homes and cancer facilities ask families to visit to have a mealtogether. Since the idea of a short life-expectancycan make one feel isolated, a family meal makes them feel closer and more atpeace.

If you have not engaged in thispractice, there is no better time than now. Getting everyone together to eatwithout distractions is going to take inner strength and resilience, but onceyou overcome the objections and excuses, your loved ones will start comingaround. In fact, your family might even look forward to the familymeal time.

There are both extrinsic and intrinsic benefits for eating together. Decidetoday that you will make the time and a lovingly prepared meal for your family.Everyone will thank you.

What is your sitter back-up plan?

Lindsay Bell — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:32:00 +0000

What is your babysitter back-up plan?

Kids are sick and home from school.

Nanny or regular sitter is sick.

Grandparents, friends are at work…

Ugh.

It is important for every family to have a go-to sitter service,group or person that you can rely on for those last minute curve balls. Check out this article on Daily Worth.They recommend strategizing, network and budgeting. I agree, be sure to have atleast two go-to sitters or agencies on speed dial in case the need arises,where you can call one of them and pretty much be guaranteed a sitter for thenext day.

Last Thursday I was at dinner around 10pm when I received thefrantic message, OUR NANNY IS SICK…HELP! Luckily we had a sitter at her placeat 8:30am the next day. But to alleviate stress be prepared with your back-up!

-LB

Hey Dads! Check this out!

Lindsay Bell — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:40:00 +0000

Hey all you hard working Dads out there. Did you know the “stress about balancing careers and caregiving is no longer just a woman’s issue”? An article in today’s New York Post discusses the growing stress being placed on the working Dads of today. Brad Harrington, the director of Boston College’s Center for Work and Family, is a working father himself and explains in the article that Dads are increasingly dealing with the same work vs. family conflict as Moms have been for the past couple decades. Harrington also helped write a report about this subject entitled “The New Dad: Caring, Committed and Conflicted”. Based on a survey of nearly 1,000 working Dads, the report paints the picture of how modern Dads are struggling to be both hands-on fathers and the hard working breadwinners. The article also touches upon issues such as work flexibility programs and how Dads are less likely to participate because of perceived expectations of their companies and management, and how many employers may have a way too outdated perception of what today’s working Dads are like.

Who knew that Dads were just as stressed about balancing work and family as Moms are! To read more visit: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/jobs/male_call_or5IMz3zJeHKu7svlocWNN#.Tgjj0wlqIf4.email.

We’ll we are here to support you Dads! Keep on being the best Dads you can be, and when you need help, just give us a holler!