Care.com

This is what’s called a mic drop moment. Brian B., Director of Product Marketing, shared  the number one thing he did right as a new parent, and it’s a rallying cry for dads and organizations everywhere: “I took every single day of paternity leave I was entitled to with my two kids and have zero regrets. I also strongly believe that taking all your paternity time is not only something men should do for themselves, but we should also be doing it for women and mothers. Not only because we should be sharing the load of childcare, but we should also not have women be the only ones that can suffer potential career setbacks from taking the time out to care for children.” At Care, we’re moms, dads, daughters, sons, caregivers, and pet parents, which is why the work we do is so important to us. It’s also why we know first-hand just how tough it can be to juggle family and career responsibilities. We asked the working parents of Care to share what really helps them, well, work. We want to hear from you! Looking back, what’s the number one thing you feel you did right as a new parent? Please share in the comments.

If your calendar looks like this, it’s time for Care. 😉 See why 29 million families have turned to Care.com to find child care — from nannies, to sitters, to daycares — that can help make your crazy schedule feel a little more manageable. ✅ 100% of caregivers you can hire are background-checked ✅ Find full-time, part-time, or occasional help that fits your budget ✅ Reach out to multiple caregivers for interviews and message safely in the app ✅ Find care for kids, seniors, pets, and homes — all in one place Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4dnXahq

We were honored to attend the inaugural National Child Care Innovation Summit focused on strengthening America’s child care infrastructure. Following his attendance at this historic event, Bryan Jamele sat down with Aaron Merchen, Senior Director, Early Childhood Education Policy & Programs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, one of the convening organizations of the Summit. From key takeaways from the event to our shared vision for a brighter future for both families and caregivers, it's a must read: https://lnkd.in/g3P2AByp

Back-to-school season can be overwhelming for parents and caregivers. There’s balancing child care, household chores, caregiving, and work all while our kids are relying on us to guide them through new routines, friendships, and challenges. How do we show up for them as our best selves? How do we avoid burnout? Ashley Brichter, Certified Fair Play Facilitator and Family Strategist, can help. Back by popular demand, she will lead a free workshop designed to help you start the new school year with intention, balance and even calm. She’ll offer practical strategies you can tailor to your family. Learn how to address societal expectations around domestic responsibilities; navigate challenges like guilt and resentment; and understand the impact of effective communication. Don't miss this free webinar! Register to participate live or receive a recording of this essential conversation. Sign up now at the link! http://spr.ly/6044cV152

There have been some tangible victories when it comes to child care policy and progress, but are they enough? No, says Brad Wilson, but we shouldn't feel defeated. Quite the opposite: when we come together, we drive change. More from Brad here: https://lnkd.in/gj2SWK9e

"A recent report by Child Care Aware of America showed that in all 50 states, child care costs more than rent; it is claiming more than 24% of household income per research from Care; and it is far outpacing inflation." This, as Brad Wilson shared with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is why last month's National Child Care Innovation Summit was an impeccably timed watershed moment. The good news is that businesses like Suffolk Construction and Best Buy are already stepping up to support their employee caregivers. Progress is possible. More from Brad in the comments. ⤵

At Care, we’re moms, dads, daughters, sons, caregivers, and pet parents, which is why the work we do is so important to us. It’s also why we know first-hand just how tough it can be to juggle family and career responsibilities. We asked the working parents of Care to share what really helps them, well, work. We want to hear from you! What benefit really changed the game for you? Please share in the comments. Carolyn Livingston, Business Development Director, shared how one our most popular benefits, Backup Care, has taken her family from babyhood to elementary school. We love her reminder that it’s not just for child care. "Backup Care has been a game changer for me, helping us navigate various phases of life over the past decade. When our boys were babies, Backup Care came to the rescue on numerous occasions. Having someone I could call, who could almost immediately secure a trusted backup caregiver from a local nanny agency, was invaluable. In 2020, when our boys' schools unexpectedly closed, Backup Care again saved the day, helping to bridge the gap while we found a more permanent solution. That permanent solution ended up being pre-K and 1st-grade education pods run by experienced teachers we found using our Care.com premium membership. Now, we primarily use the Backup Care benefit to help with summer coverage. Over the past few months, we've also utilized the adult backup care benefit to help fill gaps in the care that I coordinate for an elderly loved one. I can't imagine navigating my career and journey as a mother and care coordinator for my family without all the amazing support provided through my care benefits. I am forever grateful."

Moms First asked parents to fill this out, so we took the liberty of doing so on behalf of the 2,000 parents who told us how much they spend on child care — and the lengths they go to in order to afford it — in our 2024 Cost of Care Report. We stand with parents everywhere who need answers from officials on both sides of the aisle: What are your plans to solve the child care crisis? As Bryan Jamele reminds us, legislators have one constituency in common, and that’s parents. Click here to learn how to get involved: https://lnkd.in/gkVFKdRH

Quick poll: if you're a working parent, does school or summer camp end at the same time as your workday? We bet it doesn't, and that's costing both families and employers. “'The schedule misalignment of traditional school hours and the traditional workday is a silent killer of workplace productivity that employers cannot afford to ignore,' explains Wes Burke, CHRO of Care.com" Wes spoke with Christine Michel Carter for ForbesWomen about how employers can — and should — step in to help families. ⤵ ⤵

June marked Brad Wilson's first anniversary as CEO of Care. He shared why he was drawn to the company in the first place,and how his appreciation for the complexity that surrounds the topic of care has only deepened, in his latest for Leading with Care. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gj2SWK9e