The Energized Woman

Welcome to another great interview in the “Encouraging Health” Series.  Today I am excited to introduce you to another great resource and share some very valuable tips that you can implement right away.  Candi Wingate, who is the president of Nannies4Hire, joins us today.  Enjoy!

1. What is the name of your business, and what do you offer?

   Nannies4hire.com is one of the largest, most successful online nanny and family databases serving the United States and Canada.  As part of this database, you can conveniently search full-time, part-time, temporary, summer, babysitting, live-in and live-out nannies by zip code 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

   The Nannies4hire.com database is designed to easily assist families in finding a quality nanny for their specific needs and requirements. Registered families may search by detailed characteristics to help pinpoint the perfect nanny for their family. In addition, helpful tools are available, including sample interview questions, a sample reference form and a sample contract. Nannies4hire.com also gives you advice, tips and information that will help you and your nanny connect on a social and personal level.

   Babysitters4hire.com/Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service.   A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone.

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2. Is there a specific group of people that you serve through your work?  Families in need of nannies, babysitters, pet sitters, elderly companions, tutors, housekeepers and other misc. services.

3. What are some of the health challenges that you see in women/women entrepreneurs today?  Trying to balance work, home, kids, etc. 

   Busy moms have a lot in common with circus performers.  We have to juggle many balls in the air – and we worry that it’s all going to come crashing down at any moment!  Additionally, we strive to perfect our balancing act, some days feeling more surefooted than others.  Add some crying babies, toddlers melting down and kids needing help with homework, rides to soccer practice, a Band Aid or a snack, and your life often feels like a three-ring circus!

   Many moms are looking for that “perfect” balance between family, chores, work, “me time” and time with their partner and friends.  But since there are only 24 hours in a day, how are we supposed to fit it all in? Rely on a nanny for help with childcare, shuttling kids to school and other activities, as well as errands and housework.  Delegate some responsibilities so you can spend your limited time on things you want to do – like playing with your kids.  Don’t forget to take care of yourself.  Our inclination as mothers is to care for our children, husband, friends and colleagues…which leaves no time to take care of ourselves!  Eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water.  When you feel good, you’ll be better equipped to deal with your hectic schedule.  And when you’re not feeling your best, you’re much more likely to feel overwhelmed.  Say “no” to the less important things.  Sure, it would be nice to have a spotless house, be the president of the PTA, bake homemade bread, volunteer at the local hospital, get a raise and promotion at work, and spend time helping in your child’s classroom.  But, of course, it’s not realistic to accomplish all of these things.  Decide what’s most important and do that.  Delegate what you can to a nanny or a spouse.  And don’t worry about the rest.

4. From your perspective, what prevents women/women entrepreneurs from taking better care of themselves? 

   You work long hours and come home to a family who deserves your attention as well.  Your family means the world to you, but sometimes you feel like you aren’t spending enough time with them because you are too committed elsewhere (primarily, your full-time-and-then-some job).  Additionally, your job is stressful, and you need time to decompress before you can enjoy your family each evening and where does that time come from when your time with them is already limited?

   Here are eight tips for de-stressing your life.

   1. Become comfortable saying “no” to non-essential task requests from others. If spending more quality time with your family is your goal, then taking time away from them to raise funds for a non-profit organization (while a very worthy undertaking) may need to wait for another time in your life.

   2. Learn to delegate effectively. Do you have a secretary at work who can absorb some of your excess work? Can you hire a nanny or babysitter to spend time with your children while you and your spouse are at work and have her pick up some of the extra slack at home? Are your children old enough that they can be tasked with cleaning their own rooms?

   3. Use time management techniques. Is there a more efficient way to handle your tasks? (For example, do you really need to get a few groceries every day, or can you make a list and shop once a week?) Can tasks be more effectively performed at a different time? (For example, perhaps there is benefit in having the children choose their Tuesday school clothes on Monday evening.)

   4. Find humor in things that don’t quite go right. If you can take lightly both your successes and your failures, life will be less stressful.

   5. Participate in shared activities that focus on someone else. If you and your family spend time working in a local soup kitchen, helping those less fortunate than yourselves, perhaps you would achieve less stress (forgetting your own stressors), quality family time (worthwhile, shared activity), and you will expose the children to the value of caring for their fellow human beings as well.

   6. Listen to relaxing music, select a relaxing color palette, and use relaxing scents throughout your home.

   7. Exercise with your family.

   8. Count your blessings. Look for the positives.

5. What has your own journey with self-care been like?  As a mother of 2 busy boys I tend to simplify my life by hiring a nanny.  With running 3 businesses I find great success with my nanny being an extra set of hands.  Besides childcare, she also helps with laundry, grocery shopping, homework and meal preparation.  I can’t imagine my life without a nanny. When I return home after work, the house is in order, the meal is in the oven, the homework is done and I can spend more time with the children.

6. Where can our readers go to learn more about your offerings?                           http://www.nannies4hire.com ; http://www.care4hire.com;  http://www.facebook.com/#!/candi.wingate?ref=profile;  http://twitter.com/Care4Hire;  http://twitter.com/Nannies4Hire