Austin

A Message From Kathy

Simplifying the Holidays
No doubt you are beginning to make plans for the holidays and you may be thinking about how to cut back your spending with an eye on current economic conditions. It may be the perfect opportunity to simplify. My favorite gifts are always those which are homemade and carry with them the time and thoughtfulness of the gift-giver. My mother-in-law almost always crochets a special blanket or shawl, embroiders a stocking, etc. My children’s school policy does not allow individual gifts for teachers unless they are homemade so we get creative around how to make something special for their teachers. My best friend takes her four children to the dollar store so that they can spend their own money and buy something on their own for their siblings. We've included several ideas in our craft section for homemade gifts that you can help your charge create.

Most adults could not name specific gifts they received as readily as they could recall special memories, family rituals or traditions that were meaningful. Make a list of fun holiday events that you would like to do in the month of December. Our family’s favorites include the live nativity at Park Hills Baptist, the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, holiday photos with Santa at the mall, Old Bethlehem in Burnet, and caroling with friends.

Don’t forget that we, at Mom’s Best Friend, have “holiday elf” opportunities available if you enjoy helping with gift wrapping, shopping, party planning /serving/cooking, individual family childcare for parties or special events on-site childcare. If you are available to work special days like New Year’s Eve, don’t forget to let your temp placement counselor know so that you can earn some extra money to pay for those Christmas gifts!

Happy holidays from all of us at MBF,
Kathy Dupuy, Owner

Mom's Best Friend will be closed for the holidays on the following dates:

• November 27-28, 2008
• December 24-26, 2008
• January 1, 2009

Playgroups
Playgroup will be held wherever it is scheduled unless it is raining, has rained and everything is muddy, or winds are excessive. If you feel the weather is a problem for a given playdate and would like to make a suggestion for a relocation, please communicate via the nanny network yahoo group no later than 24 hours prior to the event so all the nannies will still be able to attend!

Playgroup will meet at around 10 AM and last till around 1 PM (you leave when ever you need to go). Please bring a lunch for yourself as well as your charge. We will make a note if we plan on eating at a restaurant.

• Tuesday, Nov 11: Pease Park - 1100 Kingsbury street (this is in central Austin between Lamar and Enfield Road).
• Wednesday, Nov 12:Inflatable Wonderland - Lakeline Mall
• Tuesday, Nov 18: Rollingwood Park - From Mopac and Bee Caves Road (2244), head west on Bee Caves Road ½ mile to Edgegrove Drive (near a Texaco station). Edgegrove ends at Rollingwood. Take a right onto Rollingwood, a quick left onto Gentry, and a quick right onto Nixon. Park by what appears to a police station and look for the trail heading to the awesome playscapes.
• Wednesday, Nov 19: Waterloo Ice House Playground - 360/ Bee Caves.
• Tuesday, Nov 25: Extreme Fun - this is an inflatable play place on Anderson Mill road.
• Wednesday, Nov 26: Northwest Park- 7000 Ardath (this park is in the Shoal Creek area and is old but nifty). Alternate cold weather place- Radijazz.
  

Get Organized by Recalibrating Your “Enough” Meter!

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melodie Beattie, author of Choices and The Language of Letting Go

When we are grateful we are more in touch with what “Enough” means. I mean Enough with a capital “E”… the sense of being abundant, satisfied, happy, peaceful, and content in all areas of your life. Enough means you know when to stop buying, eating, doing, and accumulating.

Did you know that Americans can choose from over 25,000 supermarket items, 200 kinds of cereal and 11,092 magazines? And you should see the array of salsa choices if you live in Texas! Even at times when we perceive our economy as down, we have an almost embarrassing abundance of riches. We have 24-hour stores and when we buy something we are urged to “supersize” and “collect all four.” We have on average much larger homes than ever before, but one out of eleven of us still rents a self-storage unit to hold our overflow of stuff.

Given this abundance, having a clear sense of Enough is crucial to getting control of both physical and mental clutter in your life. Sometimes I have worked with people whose “Enough meter” clearly needs to be recalibrated. They have too many toys for their children, too many clothes (many unworn with the tags still on them), too much food in the pantry, too many cosmetics, more books and magazines than could possibly ever be read, scattered unfinished projects of various kinds, rented storage units, too many activities and responsibilities, and a collection of other unused belongings that continues to accumulate despite the excess. Many times people with a faulty “Enough meter” have a body weight problem as well.

Gratitude is the first step to a cure… and is one of the best ways to recalibrate your “Enough meter.” Oprah and so many others have encouraged us to keep a Gratitude Journal, and for good reason. It really works! Writing down what you are grateful for each day (most experts suggest five things) is a way to focus your mind on what you have and get your mind off what you don’t have.

A spirit of gratitude will help you as you consider additional purchases for your home. On our website we have free Clutter Prevention Wallet Reminder Sleeves that you can use to hold your credit cards and remind you of the five important questions you should ask before purchasing something (www.clutterdiet.com/wallet). One of those questions is “WHY do I want to buy this?” If you’re buying something to fill the empty space or to feel better, or if you are actually out of touch with why, that is a signal that you may not be clear on what Enough means to you.

In our Clutter Diet program we talk about how getting organized is very much like losing weight, and in just the same way that you should push your plate away when you’re full, you can stop acquiring “stuff” and prevent clutter from getting in the door. Remember…you do Enough, you have Enough, and you are Enough. Happy Thanksgiving.

Lorie Marrero, www.clutterdiet.com

Q: Do you have any great ideas for presents for my employers?   
A: Every year, I hear this question from many nannies, so I am happy to answer this question! Instead of taking your charges to the mall to buy something for their parents, have them make something!

One thing you can do is have the kids paint pottery for their parents. Who doesn’t like a fruit bowl that has been painted by a three-year-old?! Painting a platter with all the children’s hand prints is a great way to capture time, and hand painted ornaments will be enjoyed for years to come. Don’t forget to also have the children make their own cards for parents and grandparents.

So what about a gift to your employers from you? Somehow, it doesn’t seem right to buy your boss cologne or a sweater, and truth be told, they don’t want you to. You can never go wrong with something that is sincere and homemade. One of my favorite things to give my employers is aphoto album with pictures of their children that I have taken over the course of the year (see the idea in the craft section of the newsletter). What a great way to chronicle the past year (and showcase all the fun the children have had with you). Your employers will appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gift and love having pictures of the kids.

Another gift you can give that will be appreciated greatly is your time and patience. This time of year, things pop up unexpectedly for your employer like last-minute parties or houseguests. Being flexible with your time when things come up, doing things above your normal work arrangement like helping wrap presents, helping out more around the house, or running extra errands will reflect well on you and help your employers keep their sanity. Sometimes it can be a little frustrating having extra family in the home. Children tend to act up a little more and having extra guests can sometimes be overwhelming. Remember that family members have nothing but the best of intentions by trying to help you. Having extra people in the house is hard for your employers also. Being gracious, flexible, and helpful will make the time go by smoother and keep everyone in the jolly spirit.

Remember not to let yourself get caught up in the frenzy of the season. Take time to enjoy the holidays with your charges. Make hot chocolate; read T’was the night before Christmas (again!), and write letters to Santa. It’s a wonderful time of the year, so enjoy it!

Thanks!
Cecelia Zapalac, Austin Nanny Network Organizer

Mom's Best Friend Sets up Shop in Colorado
November 5, 2008
Mom’s Best Friend, an Austin-based household staffing and nanny service, is opening up a Colorado office in its first move outside of Texas. Read the full Austin Business Journal article.
November 5, 2008

Press Release: Mom's Best Friend Expands to Vail / Beaver Creek, Colorado Area
Mom’s Best Friend, Texas' largest and most established sitter service and nanny agency, announces that they are opening a franchise office in Vail/Beaver Creek on November 5, 2008. This will be the first Colorado office for Mom’s Best Friend, who currently has existing Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio Texas locations.
November 4, 2008

These 3 fun crafts have been pulled from familyfun.com:

Brag Brooches
Materials:

• Bottle Cap
• Needle-nose pliers
• Pin backing (available at craft stores)
  
• Photo
  
• White glue or clear glaze (available at craft stores)

Instructions:

1. To make your pin, use needle-nose pliers to bend out and flatten the rim of a bottle cap.
2. Then children can glue a pin backing to the cap.
3. Let them decorate the inside edge of the cap (idea! nail polish and glued on glitter works great).
4. Then they can trace a quarter around a photo of their choice and cut it out.
5. The next step is to glue the picture in the center of the bottle cap and coat it with clear glaze or white glue that dries clear.

• Oven mitt or pot holder
• Pencil and paper
• Colored fabric markers

Instructions:

1. Trace the oven mitt or pot holder onto a sheet of paper and experiment with different designs.
2. Next, resketch the perfected design on the mitt and color it in with the fabric markers.

Family Photo Books
Materials:

• Assorted photos
• Craft knife
• 4-ply and 2-ply rag board (sold at art supply stores)
• 26-inch-long piece of ribbon
• Colored paper
• Glue stick

Instructions:

1. Choose seven favorites from a stack of family photos.
2. Use a craft knife to cut two 5- by 6 1/2-inch rectangles from the 4-ply rag board for the book covers. For the inner pages, cut one 5- by 39-inch rectangle from the 2-ply rag board. Lightly mark 6 1/2-inch increments along the long edges of the 2-ply rag board, and accordion-fold the sheet at those marks Use a ruler edge to press the folds into sharp creases.
3. Lay the ribbon on a tabletop and center the folded rag board on top so that the side with three creases is on the left and lines up with the midpoint of the ribbon Apply glue to the top of the folded rag board. Then lay the left side of the ribbon over the glued page and top with one of the book covers, pressing firmly until well stuck. Flip over the book and use the same method to attach the right side of the ribbon and the back cover.
4. Now, cut the colored paper into seven 4- by 5 1/2-inch rectangles. Glue one onto the center of each page and the front cover. Then glue the photos onto the colored paper. Finally, print the year on the front cover.

MBF always has wonderful job opportunities! 
We all know that we're facing a tightening economy, and what could be a better option for both job and housing stability than a live-in nanny position?! Use your fantastic nanny experience to help out one of our loving families.

Position 65990
This terrific nanny position will be with a beautiful 15-month-old girl. The family is searching for an honest, dependable, and creative live-in nanny manager who can take their daughter to activities, parks/playdates and be active and engaging with her. The position will also involve grocery shopping, light cooking for both the nanny and the child, occasional laundry, and keeping up with all child-related duties. They are located in central Austin (Enfield & Mopac area), and not only is there a furnished bedroom and bathroom, but they will be providing food as well. The hours and pay for each week are set and guaranteed, but on occasion, they would ask the nanny to be there for weekend coverage(dad is a doctor). The family has two large, indoor dogs. The job is open ASAP and they are looking for 4 weekdays 7am-7:30pm, but are flexible with which days. The grandparents of the little girl will be caring for the child for 1 day a week, either Monday, Wednesday or Friday. The pay rate (pre-tax) is $12-14 hr. for live in (48 hours/week).

Position 5976
This excellent nanny position is with three wonderful children - a 1-year-old girl, a 2-year-old boy, and a 6-year-old boy (he is in school full time). This Georgetown family is searching for a nanny with a genuine love for small children and excellent communication skills. Both parents are MDs and work outside of the home. Nanny must have in-home toddler experience. The family is looking for a dependable nanny with high energy to provide stimulating, age-appropriate activities for the children. Cooking skills are a big plus! The family has 1 dog. A separate apartment will be provided. The job is open ASAP and they are needing the nanny to work 50 hours a week from 6:30am-4:30 M-F. The family really wants the nanny to stay with family for at least a few years. The pay rate (pre-tax) is $400-475/week depending on experience.

Position 28716
This excellent nanny position is with two lovely children - a 7-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy (the family also has a medium-sized dog). This Austin family is searching for a flexible, organized, good communicator. The duties will be to take the kids to and from school / activities, cook, family laundry, homework, and cleaning up after the children (the family will have clear expectations set for the nanny). The ideal nanny will become a part of family and stay for a few years. A separate room with a private bathroom will be provided. The job is centrally located and open ASAP. The schedule is Mon 5pm (pick up kids) until Tues a.m. (drop off kids at school); Wed-Thurs same schedule; every other weekend from Fri eve-Mon AM drop off. The schedule will be an average of 25-35 hrs a week, but the family can guarantee up to a 35 hrs paid salary. The salary is very competitive depending on experience.The interview process will be a little more vigorous then most. The family will ask to see previous salary history and want live-in to be a preference for the nanny (although it is possible to do live-out if nanny is completely flexible with their schedule).

Position 57874
The perfect nanny for this sweet 7 year-old-girl and darling three-year-old boy will be loving, firm, easy-going, safety-conscious, and will have great judgment. The nanny will need to pick up the children from school, provide age-appropriate activities (arts and crafts, going to the park, playing on family's playscape, and 1st grade homework and reading help). The nanny must have in-home experience with children of their ages. This nanny will help keep the home running smoothly, from cleaning up after the kids, to preparing dinner for the kids, to bath time. The job is centrally located and open ASAP. The family has two indoor cats, and the accommodations are located within an attached garage. The schedule is M-F 1-6 during the school year (25hrs) and M-F 8-6 during the summer. The family could guarantee 30hrs a week if need be during school year. The salary is $11-13hr Live In, $12-15hr live out. College degree is preferred.

If you or someone you know is interested in one of the fabulous live-in positions above, please contact Lisa Moore for additional details at 512.381.3144 or lisa.moore@mbfagency.com.  Don’t forget to check out the job board for a comprehensive list of all of the current opportunities we have available! Please let us know if you know anyone who might be interested in any of these positions, as we are always offering referral bonuses.

MBF is a lifesaver for families with “no family” in the area. Many, many thanks for all that you do!! --Kim Neil, Sitter Service Client

I was really pleased with MBF! I really appreciated how quickly you always got back to me. I just wanted to let you know that you guys are wonderful and I have recommended the agency to a lot of people. Thank you for everything!
--Kristen Lambert, Nanny

Mom's Best Friend worked hard to meet my needs in a time crunch. The customer service was high quality - this is a rarity nowadays. Every staff member was friendly, professional and knowledgeable. --Patsy Snider, Nanny Client

Mom's Best Friend will also be adopting The Nelson Cottage, one of The Settlement Home's group homes. If you are interested in contributing to those needs, please contact laura.patterson@momsbestfriend.com or you can contact The Settlement Home directly to contribute to the needs of another cottage.

Working Together for our Communities
We are reaching the end of our first year with our Charity Program, where we donate $25 of every membership, in all of our cities, to a local charity. We are so excited by how fantastic this is going! We've been able to donate thousands of dollars each month to charities across our cities, including Austin's own Settlement Home, Austin Children's Shelter and YoungLife of Austin. Thank you all for your continued support!