Your extra set of hands for the things that eat up your day.

Yes. Together we can make a contract that's mutually beneficial for the family and the provider. Before any child care is provided, all services are spelled out in writing for the protection of both of us.

Yes, I do.

Florida does not have a license for a nanny or nanny agency. If someone says they're licensed, it's either an occupational license or for something else, like elderly companion care or nursing. I do have a business license, but it isn't a license for being a nanny or domestic helper.

Helping plan the children's daily schedule. Providing a safe, caring, nurturing and stimulating environment in which the children thrive and develop. Homework and educational help. Most tasks related to the children's care — dressing, bathing, walking, playing, feeding and cooking (children only), and changing. Swimming (one child only). Going for walks. Keeping the children's daily areas neat and tidy, including dishes the child used and areas the child played in. Collecting the mail and attending to in-home service calls can be included, as can occasional outings with expenses covered by the parents.

Domestic services are either on their own at $25–$35/hour or added to child care at a negotiated rate on top of the child care rates. They may include family errands (dry cleaning, grocery store, appointments), pet care, filling and emptying the dishwasher, sweeping or vacuuming, children's laundry, laundering linens, making beds, and driving children to and from school, classes, lessons, or other regularly scheduled outings — as well as any other agreed-upon family tasks.

First, domestic services are not child care duties. When I'm your child care provider, my priority is your child — everything else comes after. As a nanny, I'm a child care professional, not a housekeeper.

Second, when your child is sleeping, that's generally my only time to care for myself — to eat, use the restroom, or just breathe. At work you get a lunch period and breaks where you can leave, eat, or run an errand. While caring for your child, I can't leave the house. I'm still "on the clock," listening for your child and keeping the environment safe. During naps I'm often also cleaning up toys, restocking baby items, washing bottles and sippy cups, or preparing your child's next meal.

If you hire me as a Domestic Helper, or we add domestic services to our contract, those tasks will be completed in the agreed-upon time. During child care, domestic duties depend on how much attention your child needs and how much free time is available — if it's something we can work out, I'm happy to accommodate what I can.

In my experience, many people over-promise and under-deliver. I'd rather set realistic expectations from the start. If you'd prefer someone who offers all of that, I completely understand. But as a professional nanny with over 25 years of nanny experience, the classes and certifications I've earned are specifically designed for caring for your child in a safe, nurturing, loving, and positive way. My attention isn't diverted by the iron, the washer, or the bathroom floors.

That's why I created the Domestic Helper side of my business. If you need those services, they're available outside of child care. I've spent the past 10 years honing my skills as a domestic helper, organizer, family manager, and general caretaker. You can hire me for child care or as a Domestic Helper — I generally don't do both unless the circumstances allow.

I readily admit I'm no Chef Boyardee! I'm a humble mom who cooks basic, relatively healthy meals. I don't especially enjoy the kitchen, and my attention is on the children, so if a meal doesn't turn out right there's usually no back-up — and that can cause stress when mom and dad come home. I'd rather avoid that. So I'm responsible for the children's meals only, as specified by the parents. I'm happy to put something already prepared into the oven at a specific time or stir the crock pot.

Babysitter — temporary care on an irregular basis, full- or part-time. No special training or background expected; provides a safe environment while the parents are away.

Au pair — may be foreign or American; if European, lives here up to a year to experience American life. May not have child care experience and usually works under the direction of the parent.

Nanny — employed full- or part-time, live-in or live-out. Tasks center on child care: cooking, laundry, errands, picking up after the children, school and sports drop-offs, and often light chores if there's time. Nannies sometimes have formal training, all have solid experience, and they work unsupervised.

Governess — usually a highly educated person for school-age children who teaches and isn't normally concerned with domestic work or younger children.

Tutor — helps students understand and learn academic subjects.

Housekeeper — comes to your house, generally on a regular basis, to clean: floors, dusting, bathrooms, kitchen, and sometimes linens, dishes, deep cleaning, or cooking.

• At least 18 years of age
• Previous nanny, daycare, or babysitting experience (not family)
• Personal references
• CPR certified — First Aid certified is a plus
• Able to be interviewed in person
• Valid Florida driver's license, own transportation
• US citizen, non-smoker, bilingual is a plus
• Clean background history