CHECK OUT OUR
EVENTS CALENDAR
it is GROWING EVERY DAY!

Kids' Expo 2009

 Thanks to all of the amazing new and returning vendors that are interested. We will let everyone know as soon as we choose a day/place.

metroMAMA will be here...will you?

So... for the first time in my life I had to find someone outside my circle of family and friends to watch my children. It was a very scary thought...having someone in MY house, watching MY kids....but then I thought about it... I used to babysit, I loved the kids I took care of, maybe I could find someone like me 10 years ago when I had much more energy and wasn't tainted by giving birth to three kids. Why a nanny? I wanted the kids at their house, playing with their toys and in their backyard, not someone else's. So...I embarked on an online journey to find a part time nanny... I signed up for three different online resources and will share my experience with each below.

Babysitters.com

Disappointing... I found through google.com, babysitters.com is $29.95 for three months. Free background checks It is for childcare only. You can search through profiles and it is inexpensive and easy to use. The problem. The pool of applicants was limited and I didn't get one application from this site...

Sittercity.com

Worth the money...Sittercity was actually founded in Massachusetts. I have seen it advertised everywhere so I tried it out. $39.99 Background checks cost $9.99. This site had a great database of caregivers, and I got some great applications, but I found it a little confusing (and I am pretty savvy) I had a great response, but didn't find my nanny there, it is also the most expensive of the three because you have to pay for background checks.

Care.com

The winner...I found care.com through a google search. It was a $15 registration fee and $25 for one month. Free background checks. Need childcare, tutoring, senior care, pet care or housekeeping? You can search the profiles or post a job yourself. This is where I found my nanny. I got tons of applications of highly qualified individuals. I finally settled for a great nanny who has already started and my kids love her.

Some special tips from MAMA to MAMA
(in no way am I an expert, this is one week of research and experience)

• Before signing up, look for a coupon code
• Before paying, go through the applicant pool to see if there is anyone that is a potential match for your family
• Definitely do a background check, most sites offer them for free
• Interview lots of different types of people
  
• Be savvy, google the potential care givers' names, checkout their myspace and facebook pages
• Get references, check out the references
• Ask lots of questions, ask your friends' questions they would ask...
• Have the potential caregiver spend time with your children during the interview
• Go with your gut, find someone that fits into your family
• Make your children a part of the interview process
  
• Have a backup... just in case
• What to pay? Plan to pay between $8-14 per hour depending on where you live, how many children, what you expect them to do and what their qualifications are I noticed that a lot of people put that they expected $15-$20 per hour but when asked most said they would take up to $5 less

Holiday Shopping Extravaganza

v

Kick off your holiday shopping with great gifts for the family at the 2nd annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza.  Featuring specialty vendors and artists, tasty food, homemade baked goods, gift-wrapping services and amazing raffles!  Free childcare is available while you shop!  Organized by the Worcester Mammas & Munchkins Group (mmholidayfair@yahoo.com).  9 AM - 2 PM Saturday, November 1st, 2008 @ the Quinsigamond United Methodist Church - 9 Stebbins Street; Worcester, MA 01607.  For directions see www.qumcs.org.