Barbara Correa writes about work and family for the Los Angeles Daily News.
Moms to Crash Presidential Debate
Need grows for 24-hour child care
Meals are lowfat, but the price is rich
Survey Says the kids are alright with helicopter parents
Nanny tax may come back to bite
Santa Monica Mom busted for leaving kid in the car unattended for 45 seconds
U.S. Birthrate Highest in 45 Years
Erin commented on MOM's Drive-Through Guide to Greater L.A.
Stella commented on Special Diet Designed to Help Mothers Cope With Stress
Michele commented on Nannies Beware. Moms are watching you
Annette commented on Are Preschool Fees a Racket?
Rachel Anderson commented on When Halloween Dress Up Is Too Scary, Too Sexy
Sue Doe-Nim commented on Another Chinese Toy Recalled
Step Zombie commented on Feeding Frenzy
Michele commented on Hovering Parents, What Gives?
Sue Doe-Nim commented on Fire Day: Best Indoor Mall Playgrounds
Last week, a Santa Monica Mom answered the door to the police after a neighbor tattle-tailed on her for leaving her 18-month strapped in his carseat while she ran in the house to retrieve her cell phone. Today's article goes into detail about the incident and why it plays out across L.A. everyday, even though it probably shouldn't.
What is your take on the issue? Vote in our poll.
In a show of Mom power, Momsrising.org is crashing the Presidential candidate debates in California this week to spread the message that millions of U.S. kids have no health insurance. Momsrising members plan to hold up baby onesies embellished with slogans like: “I ♥ Healthcare’’ and “I’m Worth the Effort’’ as candidates file into Hollywood’s Kodak Theater tomorrow afternoon. For more info, see http://www.momsrising.org.
Olivia Green has been running Green's 24 Hour Family Child Care in the Crenshaw District (323-293-1991) for 25 years. But she has seen demand for 24-hour care grow in recent years as a result of more parents working nontraditional shifts. "One parent works at the police station, or the TSA or convalescent homes or hopsitals that are 24/7,'' she said.
Figuring out child care to accommodate such schedules is tough, but more 24-hour operations are opening to meet the need. Julie Mismailova started offering overnight services at Happyland, her family day care in Granada Hills four years ago. "I work 24/7, any day, any time.''
Here are a few more 24-hour child care resources: Penny & Peggy Nairn 24-Hour Child Care (2 locations in North Hills)
Happyland 818-832-6788
And two more in South Los Angeles:
Precious Little Heartbeat
Here's another one from the only in L.A. category: FreshMommy.com will deliver six organic mini meals a day (one of those is dessert) AND send over a personal trainer, all with the goal of getting you back into pre-baby shape. The concept has some loveable quirks, which all add to the cost. There are bonus meals for Dad, credits for "lifestyle enhancements,'' like a chiropractor, and even personal concierge services. If you can afford it, being a fresh Mommy sounds downright decadent. Packages start at $3,895.
I don't know about you, but I have failed so far to find a free, or at least cheap, way to do background checks on potential babysitters. I have even asked for several sitters' addresses and driver's license numbers (I think asking for a social number is a little much). But I haven't had much success getting anywhere with that info.
There are tons of Web sites that will run security checks on people, but most of them seem to cost around $49. Here's one recommended by a subscriber to Jen Levinson's list: www.childcarecheck.com.