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

A Quality Family Daycare

Posted by Barbara Correa at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Barbara Correa at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Barbara Correa at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)