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The Mommy Relief Program provides assistance to mothers and fathers of newborns as they adjust to their new lives of long nights and even longer days.  During this hectic and exhausting time, experienced newborn care can make all the difference in a mother’s recovery from childbirth and a father’s ability to maintain some semblance of a normal life.  Our goal is to give both the comfort and rest they so desperately need.   Our services are customized to each individual need, assisting parents in many ways to ease this joyous but stressful time.

Our staff will stay overnight, will come for just mornings several times a week, or will even give you a night out on a weekend!

As you know if you hire a nanny privately or through a referral service you are obliged to pay payroll taxes.  When you use Mommy Relief, we take care of all those payroll tax liabilities giving you one less thing to worry about during this stressful time.

Category : Newborn Assistance

Teaching a child the joy of reading is one of the most important practices a parent can give a child.  Many believe this practice should be implemented before the birth of baby.  With technology taking off so quickly, you want to ensure that your child has a foundation of reading and learning in the traditional sense too!  There are several popular books that are on the top of the list when building the perfect first library for your baby.  Please take a look, and let us know if there are any that you wish to add.

1.- Corduroy- by Melanie Rosen-

2.- The Very Hungry Caterpillar- By Eric Carle

3.- My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie

4.- Close Your Eyes by Kate Banks

5.- Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino

These are very classic reads that every baby/toddler should have on their shelf.  This encourages a love for reading and helps expand the imagination of your child.  It’s nice to see that classic books are still a top pick, with the ereader making a huge impact in our mainstream lives, you want to ensure that your child has been introduced properly to traditional books/titles early on.

Category : Newborn Assistance

A local hospital has a wonderful article out titled Bringing Home Baby: Practical Advise for Parents.  The information in the article is definitely worth taking note of, as every new parent encounters similar situations when making the transition from hospital to home. 

Below is a list of the important pointers, following this advise can help ease some of the stress typically experienced in the first few weeks.  Also, I know it sounds kind of cliche, but calling on a Mommy Reliever to help care for baby while you recuperate after delivery by getting a good nights sleep here and there, and to assist with keeping the norm regarding older siblings during the day, isn’t such a bad idea either.

1.  Simplify Household Chores-   By saving steps for yourself by keeping a basket or bin on every level of your home filled with all basic supplies needed to care for baby, i.e. diapers, wipes, burping cloth, receiving blanket on hand will help with the unnecessary up and down stairs. 

When you have a neighbor, family member or friend over holding the baby, take a few minutes to go pop in a load of laundry, or fold and put away laundry. 

Pre plan meals/dinners and prep and cook when you have downtime.  While baby is asleep and you are up is a perfect time to catch up on those daily household chores that tend to get pushed back.  Cooking ahead is also a good idea, freeze meals for the future, and let hubby or friends take out and warm up while you are resting.

2.  Know your physical limitations- Immediate recovery is unlikely, particularly when mom has had a c-section.  If you push yourself too quickly in the beginning, you can jeopardize the healing process.  So know your limitations, and prepare to not have to lift anything for several weeks after the baby arrives.  Lining up help for lifting heavy items, carrying laundry baskets up and down stairs, and for lifting older/toddler siblings is very important.

3. Go easy on yourself.  Accepting that your norm is not the norm anymore, will allow you to take the changes in stride, and enjoy the thrill of having your precious bundle home.  Accept that your daily routines have to change, and keep in mind that there is always take out and home delivery for dinners/meals!  Utilize those services that are there to help you when most needed.

4.  Accept help graciously.  We want to be the end all be all. That really isn’t the attitude to take right after childbirth.  This is a special time where you should be pampered and relaxed.  Accept the help from mother, mother in law, family and friends graciously as they are offering with your best interest in mind, to help with your recovery.  If your family and friends can’t stay in town as long as you need, or can’t come at all, it’s perfectly alright to seek outside help.  For decades women have relied and entrusted one another with the care of their children, so pick up the phone and call a trusted agency when help is needed.

5.- Finally, Take a walk.   Getting fresh air is good for you and baby.  Don’t be afraid to go outside even when it’s cold.  Bundle both yourself and baby up, and take a short stroll.  A walk in the stroller may just be the trick needed to lull your little one to sleep, allowing mom to steal a few moments of “me” time for yourself!

This information is taken not only from life experiences, but also from the Winter 2012 Edition of the Virginia Hospital Center’s Health Reach magazine.  There are also Breastfeeding Support Groups and Postpartum Support Groups available at the Hospital and in your communities, for specific support and services.

Category : Newborn Assistance

Mommy Guilt

Super sensitive subject, I know believe me. 

We all sometimes battle  with the Mommy Guilt syndrome.  This past week, I had a conversation with a fellow mom, who is just starting back to work.  My job not just professionally, but personally was to comfort and uplift her by telling her what is so very true in that, she is doing the right thing for not only herself, but for her family as well.  That the baby does know who she is now, and will know her whether she’s a stay at home mom, or continues on with her career.  That she will someday look back on the emotional roller coaster that she is riding now, and laugh. 

However, I could not help but to feel the same compassion and sympathy for her that I feel about myself from time to time.  You have days where you are just not sure if you are doing the right thing by working full time.  So, I went online and found some very helpful tips that can help ease the transition from maternity leave to returning to work.  It’s also a refreshing read for mom’s who have been back to work for quite a while, but still have those “guilty” days.

Before you return back to work do the following:

Set a return-to-work date.  If you are able to arrange it, choose a day late in the week, this will give you a couple of days to get “back in the groove” of things, prior to starting a full week. 

Talk to your boss- Clarify your job duties and schedule so that you will know exactly what is expected of you.  You might want to ask for a flexible work schedule where you can have a day or two for telecommuting, or if you have the luxury, work part time.

If you are breast feeding- Continue to do so after you return to work, but ask your employer about a clean, private room for pumping.  Consider buying an electric pump that will allow you to pump both breasts at one.  About two weeks prior to returning to work start to introduce the bottle to baby if you haven’t done so.  See my previous blog on Breast to Bottle for helpful tips in making the transition.

Find dependable childcare-  This is a MUST for busy, working moms.  In order to be productive, and effective at work, you have to feel secure in knowing that baby is receiving the best care possible.  Take your time in interviewing, and getting to know the person if you don’t already, that is going to care for your baby while away at work.  Going through an agency has it’s pros as most agencies will have conducted background checks, reference checks, provided training, etc. to ensure that the person you have is qualified and trustworthy.

LET GO OF THE GUILT- Going back to work after maternity leave for a new mother can invoke a tremendous amount of emotional struggles.  Working outside of the home does not make you a bad mother- and it’s ok to look forward to the adult interactions and challenges, goals, accomplishments at your job.  The key is to constantly remind yourself that you are doing what’s best for you and your family.

Once you are back to work, keep in mind the following:

Get and stay organized.  Make daily to do list.  You may want to do what I do, by having a work and home notebook for tasks and appointments.  You can also assign tasks to your partner, and know when to say No to avoid stressing yourself out.

Stay Connected- Plan at least one daily phone call to your baby’s caregiver to find out how your baby is doing daily.  Place a photo of baby on your desk to glance at from time to time, as a gentle reminder that you are doing it not only for yourself, but for your family.  Also Set aside time after work to reconnect with your baby.

Make back up plans-  Nanny’s, neighbors, dad, grandparents, someone should be your back up, just in case there’s an important meeting that i just can’t miss, person.  This eleviates the stress of relying on one sole person as your childcare provider.  However, the benefit of using childcare centers include not having to have a back up person in line.

Nurture your own well being- One of the things that I said to my fellow mom last week was something that you sometimes feel guilty about saying, but is a very true statement.  Although you are a mom, you are also a human being.  You must nuture yourself even if it’s something small like taking a hot bath once baby is asleep, or cuddling up to a good book, or going to get a pedi/mani every couple of weeks.  You must rewared yourself for the hard work, and give yourself a chance to renew.

I hope the above tips can assist other moms who are either transitioning back to work, or are currently working outside of the home, and have to battle Mommy Guilt from time to time.  Remember the above tips, they can help get you through the rough period.

Category : Newborn Assistance

With the New Year coming, it may be time to introduce new/different child care options to your baby.  This can be a challenging experience, but with the right support and tips, it can also be an exciting experience.  Take a look below, and let us know if there are any ideas tips that worked for you!

Category : Newborn Assistance

Susan Kurtz at Cultural Care Aupair one of Mommy Relief’s friends/partners sent us this great list of Winter Break Activity ideas, we thought we should share it with our Mommy Relief community!!!! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES/RECREATION

Jumpin’ Jack Sports  –  Moon Bounces, Rock Wall, Obstacle Course, Virtual Reality Arcade and Indoor activities.  Open gym at various times.  Check website for details www.jumpingjacksports.com/

Ice Skating

• Reston Town Center – www.restontowncenter.com/
• Reston Skate Quest  www.skatequest.com/
• Ashburn Ice House www.ashburnice.com/

Spring Hill Rec Center (Indoor swimming, Racquet ball courts, etc…)

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/shillrec.htm

Claude Moore Rec Center – Indoor Waterpark, Rock Climbing Walls, Indoor Gym www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=3252

Sport Rock (Alexandria and Sterling) – Professional indoor and outdoor rock climbing lessons with qualified instructors offering levels for beginners to professionals.  www.sportrock.com

Bowling

• BOWL AMERICA

140 South Maple Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 534 – 1370

• BOWL AMERICA

46940 Woodson Drive
Sterling, VA 20164
(703) 430 – 1350

LIVE THEATER

Imagination Stage, Bethesda, MD – Tickets $10-$22

www.imaginationstage.org/

Adventure Theater, Glen Echo, MD – Tickets $15.00

www.adventuretheatre.org/

INEXPENSIVE MOVIE THEATER

University Mall Theaters – usually has children’s movie matinees.  ALL seats only $4.00.  www.universitymalltheatres.com

MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA

Generous George’s in Herndon

www.generousgeorge.com/index.html

NATURE ACTIVITIES

Great Falls National Park and Nature Center – www.nps.gov/grfa/index.html/

Riverbend Park and Nature Center – www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/

MUSEUMS

Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore –

www.portdiscovery.org/

Baltimore Aquarium – www.aqua.org/

National Aquarium, DC – http://www.nationalaquarium.org/

Dulles Air and Space Museum – Check out the IMAX shows or a flight simulator.  Parking at this museum $15.00.  www.si.edu/Museums/air-and-space-museum-udvar-hazy-center/

Smithsonian Museums – Air and Space and Natural History are my favorites.  Both have IMAX shows and interactive exhibits.  Check out the Insect Exhibit at Natural History with live Tarantula feedings!

http://www.si.edu/museums/

For older kids and teens:

Spy Museum (for older kids and teens) – www.spymuseum.org/

Newseum – http://www.newseum.org/

PAINT YOUR OWN POTTERY

Color Me Mine

Ashburn – http://www.ashburn.colormemine.com/

Fairfax – http://fairfax.colormemine.com/

LIBRARY EVENTS – Most activities are free, but please check for fees and availability.  Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/

PUPPET SHOWS

The Puppet Company @ Glen Echo – www.thepuppetco.org/

CHILDREN’S MUSIC

Jammin’ Java

227 Maple Ave. E
Vienna VA 703-255-1566

http://jamminjava.com/home/kids-events/list/

SPORTING EVENTS

Washington Capitols Hockey Practice – Open to the Public and FREE!  http://capitals.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=42973

George Mason Basketball at Patriot Center –http://georgemasonbasketball.blogspot.com/

HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOWS

Zoo Lights

www.fonz.org/zoolights.htm/

Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park

http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights/11_main.html/

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/garden_lights.shtm/

Bull Run Festival of Lights http://www.nvrpa.org/park/bull_run_festival_of_lights/

Category : Newborn Assistance