Sorry no post on Monday people! I have been sending emails, making phone calls, and setting up interviews trying to find our little G Money a nanny. It’s a lot of work. We are going to nannyshare with another family and thankfully that mom is also helping sort through the applicants. This topic brings me to one of my current personal faves: http://www.npnparents.org
Like I’ve said before, I give credit where credit is due. My friend Emily introduced me to this website when I first told her I needed HELP trying to figure out childcare. We live in a huge city and don’t know a ton of parents so I just felt at a total loss of where to begin when I knew I had to return to work and find something for Graham. Emily to the rescue! You pay a $40 annual fee to be part of this network [NPN = Neighborhood Parents Network] and then there are so many resources available for Chicagoland parents. Sorry people, it’s only Chicagoland. But maybe you have one for your city and don’t even know it!
I found a family to nannyshare with through this website. I joined a group for parents of the “Near West/ Near South Side” and have gone to some events for parents and kids in my neighborhood. I also joined a group called Working Moms. When you “join” these groups that only means that you get email updates of activities… no pressure to go. So when I got my first email from the working moms group I found out that one of my wonderful friends from high school and college, Katie Romero, was the co-chairperson of that group! Everyone seemed to know about NPN but me. Thank God Emily told me! Now I’m using the site to find and interview nannies.
It also helps with more than just childcare. You can set up or find playgroups, sell stuff, or just join in on some discussions about being a mommy or daddy in the city. It’s been more than a personal fave the last few months… it is helping me find a caregiver for my first born child!!! That’s big. If you live in the Chicagoland area you have to check it out.
Glad I could help
Good luck in your nanny search!