San Francisco Parents of Multiples SFPOM General Discussion 1/16/2014 10:16 am - 1/17/2014
1. Thoughts on crib-to-bed transition and Freedom... (nodelmonkey)
2. Free Multiples Group-- tomorrow 1/17 at Natural... (duzie76)
3. Babysitter rates? (MPWalker)
4. Comment: Babysitter rates? (jessicafsf)
5. Comment: Babysitter rates? (bhavna12)
6. Comment: Babysitter rates? (MPWalker)
7. looking for babysitter 2 nights a week (jjwahl)
8. Free Marin Community and Home Seminar - 1/29/14 (liz_mccarthy)
9. Comment: Double stroller - inline vs. side by side (CarinSF)
10. Comment: Double stroller - inline vs. side by side (jessicafsf)
11. Comment: Britax Marathon g4 vs Britax Boulevard? (bhavna12)
12. Comment: Britax Marathon g4 vs Britax Boulevard? (SLeichtner)
13. Comment: Britax Marathon g4 vs Britax Boulevard? (SLeichtner)
14. Comment: Live-out Nanny for Twins - Cost? (jessicafsf)
15. Comment: Live-out Nanny for Twins - Cost? (bhavna12)
16. Comment: Baby Photographer (bhavna12)
17. Comment: Baby Photographer (SLeichtner)
1. Thoughts on crib-to-bed transition and Freedom to leave (and
preferably stay in) bed?
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nodelmonkey - 1/16/2014 9:11 pm
We just took one side off the girls' cribs and it's
been a tough first few nights. I understand this
newfound freedom will be difficult for them to grow
accustomed to but not sure how long the challenges of
walking them back, and back, and back, to bed, will
last. Any thoughts from those who did this recently
(or remember way back when you did...), how long the
transition took 'til all was smooth sailing again?
Will they ever just let you tuck them in peacefully and
not get up again? Any tips on how you dealt with it
all? We're doing some dramatic play and talking
through it A LOT during the day, as well as trying to
keep it VERY simple each time we take them back to bed
without much dialogue, but it still seems such a game
for them and incredibly energy-draining for us. We're
on night #3 (I did the first two nights and currently
Papa is upstairs working on tonight still...). Our
girls are a little over 2.5 years.
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With subject line: "Ref#82988905 - Thoughts on crib-to-bed transition and Freedom to leave (and
preferably stay in) bed?"
Email author: heathernodelman@gmail.com
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2. Free Multiples Group-- tomorrow 1/17 at Natural Resources
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duzie76 - 1/16/2014 11:09 am
Moms- Postpartum doula Sara Stuart is hosting her free
parents of multiples group tomorrow, 1/17 from
2:30-3:30 at Natural Resources. Starting in February,
it will be the first Friday of the month from
2:30-3:30. Always very helpful.
Send comment to: <sfpom_general@lists.bigtent.com>
With subject line: "Ref#82977590 - Free Multiples Group-- tomorrow 1/17 at Natural Resources"
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3. Babysitter rates?
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MPWalker - 1/16/2014 11:05 am
We are hiring a babysitter for the first time to watch
our almost 2 year old twins. What are the going rates?
Any additional advice is appreciated as well!!Thank
you.
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With subject line: "Ref#82977491 - Babysitter rates?"
Email author: michele_ramos@alumni.ucla.edu
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4. jessicafsf says...
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1/16/2014 11:24 am
I have found babysitters to range from $15-$20. I know
some people have found sitters for less, so if you
really look you could probably find a cheaper rate, but
that's been my experience. So far, whenever we've had
someone babysit who is also a professional nanny and is
just taking some extra evening hours for us, it's been
$20/hr (whether the kids are awake or asleep). College
kids (and you might even be able to find high school
kids) who only babysit on the side/occasionally are
usually at the lower end of the spectrum.Enjoy your
time out!
Email author: jessica@burrows.net
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5. bhavna12 says...
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1/16/2014 11:38 am
Once again, Jessica right on the money. :)We are at
$20/hr for our PT nanny. Definitely worth it and having
it part of your kids care budget. Keeps you sane and
allows for you to get things done, date nights, etc.
Email author: bhavna@gmail.com
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6. MPWalker says...
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1/16/2014 7:29 pm
Thank you very much!
Email author: michele_ramos@alumni.ucla.edu
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7. looking for babysitter 2 nights a week
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jjwahl - 1/16/2014 10:11 am
hello!!! We are looking for a new babysitter for our 3
1/2 year old twins..our current one which we just love
is moving out of state. We typically use our
babysitter twice a week- once during the week and once
on the weekend (usually sunday nights and wed nights
but are totally flexible- just thankful to get out of
the house!!!).our times are around 7:30pm until
10:30pm....our current babysitter comes as we are
getting them ready for bed and she reads them a few
stories and helps them go potty before putting them to
bed....pretty easy gig.....I am hoping someone out
there has someone they can recommend!!! thanks for
your help!!!Jodi Burry
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With subject line: "Ref#82976176 - looking for babysitter 2 nights a week"
Email author: jjwahl@gmail.com
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8. Free Marin Community and Home Seminar - 1/29/14
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liz_mccarthy - 1/16/2014 9:31 am
Member Liz McCarthy is giving her great Marin Seminar
later this month!In this seminar you'll hear about:Home
pricesFinding a home in this low inventory
marketCommunitiesCommute timesSchools& MoreLiz has been
giving this seminar now for over 3 years to rave
reviews! If you can't attend this date, email Liz to
be put on the list for the next upcoming seminar
date:1/29/146:45pmin Mill Valleyto find out more or to
RSVP, go to:www.MyMarinHouse.comLiz
McCarthy415-250-4929Liz@BayAreaRealEstateSales.com
Send comment to: <sfpom_general@lists.bigtent.com>
With subject line: "Ref#82975240 - Free Marin Community and Home Seminar - 1/29/14"
Email author: liz@alizard.com
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Topic: Double stroller - inline vs. side by side
Our b/g twins are due in April. I was sure I wanted an
inline stroller because it...
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With subject line: "Ref#82968092 - Double stroller - inline vs. side by side"
9. CarinSF says...
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1/16/2014 7:03 am
I got the side by side city mini double without a belly
bar and I love it! It's the width of a wheelchair, so
it will fit anywhere ADA compliant. I have only gotten
stuck a few times at a certain checkout aisle at Target
with an oddly placed pole. I like the side by side a
lot now that my kids are 2.5 and mostly walking. When
we go to the zoo we just do a hop on, hop off kind of
thing and they can get themselves in and out whenever
they want. It makes it really easy. I had gotten a
tandem before, but I had a hard time turning it (it's
like driving a limo) and I kept accidentally driving it
over strangers' toes. Awkward. With my side by side
model I feel like I have much more control. Either way,
your stroller's gonna be big, and your days of easily
browsing cute little boutiques or specialty markets are
over...
Email author: carinchou@gmail.com
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10. jessicafsf says...
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1/16/2014 11:21 am
We have both a side by side and a tandem. We ended up
using the side by side a lot more often. With the
tandem, by the time they were 1-1.5, whoever was in the
back would often kick the kid in the front quite a bit,
which made everyone unhappy. It was handy to have it -
it was easier to maneuver, easier to fold, lighter
weight - but we didn't use it often. (The only reason
we had two is because one was a hand me down from
friends - I don't know that I would have purchased two
on my own.)The City Select is a tandem with stadium
seating, so one child is above the other, and it has
all kinds of configurations - twins face each other,
face in opposite directions, both face forward, or both
face backward. And it essentially has the footprint of
a single stroller. Everyone I know except for one
person was really happy with that one (the one person
who didn't like it felt that it was top heavy, and not
great on hills. But that didn't seem to be an issue for
anyone else.) I didn't get that one because it's really
expensive, but it might be worth it if you can swing
it, or find a used one.But as noted above, a lot of the
side by side doubles are the same size as a wheelchair,
and in our increasingly ada compliant world, it's
pretty easy to get around. I think the Bumbleride Indie
(?) is one of the narrowest out there, but they all
only vary by an inch or two, so any of the smaller ones
would probably be fine.
Email author: jessica@burrows.net
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Topic: Britax Marathon g4 vs Britax Boulevard?
Any suggestions, recommendations, and/or comments on these
convertible seats?
Also...
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With subject line: "Ref#82962143 - Britax Marathon g4 vs Britax Boulevard?"
11. bhavna12 says...
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1/16/2014 11:31 am
Great info. Thanks. I called Marin CHP and they are
booked for 3 weeks but very friendly over the phone. Is
the Boulevard less wide than the Marathon g4? Also, our
kids aren't as tall and I have a feeling their head
wont reach up to side impact protectors. Can those be
lowered? Did you end up getting them on AMZN? That
seems to be cheapest right now? Do you know if AMZN
offer discounts on 2 item purchases (twin discounts),
we have a prime membership.
Email author: bhavna@gmail.com
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12. SLeichtner says...
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1/16/2014 6:15 pm
Amazon lists the Marathon and Boulevard dimensions as
being the same. I'd suggest going to a store that sells
both (I went to Right Start on Sacramento) and
literally bringing each one to your car to see which
one you prefer. You can buy it on Amazon later. It will
likely be cheaper there. I bought mine at Right Start
but I buy almost everything on Amazon. I don't know if
they have twin discounts but for expensive items like
this that you're not in a hurry to get (not sure if
that's true for you though) you can set up a baby
registry, add this item, set an event date for the near
future, and when it passes without being purchased you
will then be able to buy the remaining registry items,
in this case just one, for 10% off.
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13. SLeichtner says...
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1/16/2014 6:25 pm
And as for the side impact protectors, they are
adjustable but again you may want to sit your child in
it before buying to make sure the lowest setting is low
enough. As your child grows they can be raised up quite
high.
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Topic: Live-out Nanny for Twins - Cost?
I'm looking to hire a live-out nanny for my 3 month old twin
girls. I need someone...
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With subject line: "Ref#82818894 - Live-out Nanny for Twins - Cost?"
14. jessicafsf says...
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1/16/2014 10:57 am
Hi there,I've found nannies for twins to range from
$20-$27/hour, although I have definitely heard of
outliers who have found someone for less, or who pay
more.In terms of benefits, you don't legally have to
offer anything. What people chose to offer also varies
widely, depending on the situation, the nanny, and the
employer (you!) Since you're looking for a full time
person, I think it's fairly normal to offer some paid
vacation, paid holidays, and maybe some sick time.
(Actually, now that I think about it, you might be
required to offer paid sick time, per SF city laws. But
I haven't researched that.) For a full time position, I
think it's most common to guarantee a certain amount,
based on the hours needed (50, in your case), and then
if you come home early or take a day off or whatever,
she just gets to leave early. In a sense she will be
your salaried employee. Also a factor is whether you
choose to pay over the table (which means both you and
she will pay taxes) or under the table (where neither
of you pay taxes, but it's illegal, so there's a risk.
If you were "found out" - essentially if she reported
you for some reason - you would owe back taxes and high
fines.)If you pay over the table and you're anything
like me, you'll want the assistance of a payroll
service, which will calculate and withhold the
appropriate taxes for you. So that is another (minor,
in the scheme of things) expense.And finally, CA just
passed a law specific to household employees requiring
that they get paid overtime for anything over 9
hours/day or 45 hours/week. So with the schedule you
detail above, you'd be paying one hour per day at 1.5
pay rate. Of course, if you are paying under the table
(which some nannies definitely prefer), then you aren't
really following the laws on paying an employee anyway,
so I'm not sure you'd really need to follow that time
and a half rule.So very roughly, if you paid $20/hour
for 50 hours/week, you'd be spending about
$52,000-$55,000/year, before taxes or benefits. And
that's at the lower end of the pay scale. (The benefits
will only cost you if you have to hire someone else to
care for your kids while she takes vacation or sick
time. If you have a flexible schedule and can arrange
free care - you, your husband, family, etc. - then the
benefits aren't an additional cost to you.)It's a good
idea to decide ahead of time if you feel strongly about
paying above or under the table... some nannies will
only work one way or the other, especially if they
can't legally work here (in which case they can only
work under the table). Hope this helps! There's a lot
to consider, but people do this all the time, and
you'll definitely figure it out!
Email author: jessica@burrows.net
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15. bhavna12 says...
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1/16/2014 11:36 am
We are in search of a new nanny as well since our
current one is moving and gave her 2 week notice. We
had her for 13 months and she was great. Paid $22/hr
with a guarantee of 48 hours a week, 2 weeks paid
vacation, 5 sick days, and 9 paid holidays and a
monthly bus pass ($60 value). Great info from Jessica
above and I have learned a great deal with our first
nanny experience and would be more than happy to share.
At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with
your babies in their hands and the goal is for them to
make your life less stressful when at work. Keep them
safe, clean, well fed and rested.
Email author: bhavna@gmail.com
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Topic: Baby Photographer
Hi all - wondering if folks have a recommendation for a baby
photographer that is...
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With subject line: "Ref#82411980 - Baby Photographer"
16. bhavna12 says...
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1/16/2014 12:03 pm
We used nialldavid.com Great photographer and extremely
patient. used him for our kids 1 year birthday party.
Email author: bhavna@gmail.com
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17. SLeichtner says...
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1/16/2014 6:33 pm
We used Emily Payne for maternity, newborn, 6 month and
one year shots. She offered a great package deal. Her
work is fantastic and she is a lovely person. She makes
everyone comfortable, which definitely makes for better
pics!www.emilypayne.com
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