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By now, we understand that we get by with a little help from our friends — and that includes other parents, excellent instructors and awesome physicians. Call it the community of parenthood. And then consider: Where would we be without it? Here are some superfab support systems you love to call upon.
Nanny or Babysitting Service
Winner: A Nanny for U
A Nanny for U might “provide wonderful, caring nannies on short notice” but they also can help with finding families the right temporary childcare, doula, or housekeeper, and they specialize in domestic solutions, corporate care and event care. This is their second year as ParentMap readers’ favorite because “they are all friendly and highly skilled at what they do. The administrative staff are also extremely helpful and friendly.” And it’s not just the families who praise their professional and caring service. One nanny wrote, “They placed me with my full-time family. I love working for them and felt like ANFU got to know me as a person, not just my resume.”
Finalists:
Annie’s Nannies Household Staffing staffers “truly care about their customers AND their nannies, not just the bottom line. They try to find matches that work for both parties.” According to one reader, Annie’s Nannies is the “most ethical agency with the best staff.”
Seattle Nanny Network has also earned a reputation as being “great at helping find that good parent-child- nanny relationship. More than one voter unabashedly gives them top props: “They are the BEST!” Credited for being high-integrity “problem solvers,” the folks at Seattle Nanny Network excel at giving “parents peace of mind.”
Parents also tap into Care.com , a huge network in the United States, Canada and the UK, to find caregivers for kids, seniors, pets and their home. Parents trust their background checks and references.
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Illustrations by Alli Arnold

