Chances are you’ve considered, however briefly, becoming a foster family as a way to help allieviate Georgia’s foster children crisis and improve the lives of children.

And chances are you’ve thought of all kinds of reasons not to do so. But what if becoming a foster family came with huge amounts of support, a whole churchload of support to be exact? Would that make you more likely to consider taking in a foster child?

If so, then check out a local network called Faith to Foster, a coalition of Chatham County churches that serve families and children in foster care. The goal of Faith to Foster is to make foster parenting less challenging and more appealing to local families.

You’re invited to a Faith to Foster informational meeting, 6-7:30 PM May 7 at Southside Baptist Church, 5502 Skidaway Road, Savannah 31406. Child care will be provided if you call ahead to ministry director, 912-355-9555.

For more info on Faith to Foster including how you can help volunteer to aid local foster families or bring the program to your church, click here or email Faith to Foster ministry director Jenn Menn at jennifermenn@hotmail.com or call 912.925.5074.

Read more about Faith to Foster and the foster mom behind it - who along with her husband have fostered a total of 17 children (not all at once) since 2007 -  in my Savannah Morning News column this week here.

It’s hard to believe that the beloved go-to agency for vacation nannies, babysitters & live-in nanny services -  Hilton Head Nannies - could get any better.  After all, they’re already the leading nanny placement agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of highly-qualified nannies.

But Hilton Head Nannies just became even more essential.

While celebrating their 5th year in business birthday,  Hilton Head Nannies has expanded into companion work (Hilton Head Companions) and Pet Nanny Work!

Hilton Head Companions is a compassionate senior care service that assists seniors in staying in their homes longer. Hilton Head Companions provides families with non-medical, private-duty senior-care, elder-care, respite care, personal care, companionship, and home care with the goal of helping seniors stay in their own homes. To see the various senior services provided, click here. Call today for a complimentary in-home consultation: (843)342-5673

Hilton Head Nannies serves Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie, Beaufort, Palmetto Bluff, Fripp Island, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Tybee Island, and Wilmington Island areas of South Carolina and Georgia.

Hilton Head Nannies, “The More We Care, The More Beautiful Life Becomes” www.HiltonHeadNannies.com , 843.815.1313 Appointments may be made 24 hrs, 7 days per week on the Hilton Head Nannies website. Follow Hilton Head Nannies on Facebook here for updated information, coupons &  special promotions! Hilton Head Nannies is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

 The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum is offering a new program, “Parents 411”: Interactive Informational Workshops for new parents. “Parents 411” will be held every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at The Sandbox beginning March 27, 2012.

“Parents 411” is a series of 10 workshops designed to meet the needs of parents of young children, child care providers and grandparents. The program includes local experts who will lead interactive sessions designed to provide information, answer questions and address concerns of new parents.

Please call Caroline Rinehart at 843-842-7645 to sign up for the workshop/s.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 Email: crinehart@thesandbox.org

Check out these two classes happening at Just for Baby & More, Savannah

Cloth Diapering Basics
Saturday January 28th
10am-12pm
or
Saturday March 10th
10am-12pm
Come learn cloth diapering 101! Kelli Brown will teach the class and she is sure to load you up on all the information for you to make an informed decision if cloth diapering is right for your family! She will teach you how to cloth diaper and how to take care of your diapers!
This class is FREE but you need to RSVP: casey@justforbaby.net or 912-355-4455

Breastfeeding Basics
Saturday January 28th
1pm -3pm
or
Saturday March 24th
10am – 12pm
Come learn the basics of breastfeeding. This class is taught by Lactation Consultant Sarah Brunson MS, RLS, IBCL. Sarah will share the information about breastfeeding techniques including; positioning, what to expect from yourself and your baby and she will be prepared to answer all of your questions!
$10 per person/ $15 per couple
If you are interested in joining, please email casey@justforbaby.net  or call (912) 355-4455

“Like” Just for Baby & More on Facebook here to stay connected and informed about deals and special events like this.

Just for Baby & More has friendly and knowledgeable staff who would love to show you our variety of products and help you find the perfect items for your family; Sunday Closed. 912.355.4455. Located at 7701 Waters Ave., Savannah, 31406, http://www.justforbaby.net/start.php 

You’re invited to the first Mama Time Webinar. The topic is ”Bullying Intervention Strategies for Parents”.

While the Webinar is specifically for parents of children with special needs, all mothers can benefit from hearing about this topic. The webinar is free and is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday night Jan. 17 & 18! Recordings will be available for those that can’t listen that evening, but you must register for the event to listen to the recordings. Click here for more information

Mama Time, , based in Savannah, provides workshops and retreats for all mothers and expectant mothers needing some time to rest, relax, play and grow. Visit www.mamatime.net  to learn more about their other upcoming workshops and events!

Upcoming Mama Time events include:

A Jan 14 2012 retreat for Special Needs Mothers called Grieving Losses/Identifying Gifts. Details here.

A Feb 4 Autism Mama Retreat. Details here.

Mama Time, www.mamatime.net/, email information@mamatime.net Mama Time is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Telfair BirthPlace at St. Joseph’s/Candler now offers online birth classes and tours.

So you can take birth classes while at your home, or wherever you are, online.

Find everything you need to know about giving birth, how the Telfair BirthPlace at St. Joseph’s/Candler works and more at www.sjchs.org/TelfairBirthPlace .

Along with the online birth classes, you can take a video tour of the Telfair BirthPlace & get familiar with their rooms. And when the new parents head home, they can go back to the Telfair BirthPlace site and get nearly every baby question answered in the online “Oh, Baby’s Home” book.

Other features:

• Information about Telfair BirthPlace lactation services.

• Contact Telfair BirthPlace First Steps program that provides ongoing help to new families.

• Learn about Telfair BirthPlace Special Care neonatal nursery.

Something Special Magazine is a lifestyle magazine for all created by a special needs parent.

This magazine brings hope, inspiration and resources for the special needs parent, while taking care of the “parent” in the special needs parent. For families that don’t directly have a special needs child in their life, chances are- they know someone that does.

By educating yourself on life with a special needs child, you are more able to teach your children about differences and disabilities.

Something Special is free both online and in print. The magazine’s advertisers keep the information coming to you.

Find one of Something Special’s 5,500 copies at over 125 locations in Georgia, or simply log on to www.somethingspecialmagazine.com .

This publication started out locally by a real “southern mama” of five children, one of whom has autism. Log on today and please enter your favorite special needs dad for Something Special’s Fabulous Father’s Day giveaway. Enter as many times as you wish! Grand prize is a family four pack of Atlanta Braves tickets for a game in July against the Pirates and VIP batting practice seats. Winners will be announced on Something Special Magazine on Facebook June 18 at 8pm.

Make sure you visit and “Like” Something Special Magazine on Facebook by clicking here for updates, places to visit, and some words of wisdom.

Too often breastfeeding turns out to be the surprise challenge for new moms.

Nursing is easier with support and supplies from Savannah-area lactation consultant Pamela Holland of Babies, Breastfeeding and Beyond LLC.

Call for an initial in-home consult to help with any problems you may be experiencing with your baby or for a pre-natal visit for breastfeeding concerns before your baby is born.  

Breastfeeding, even including the price of consultation is a more affordable and healthier alternative to formula. Formula costs at least $1,650 per year, more than ten times the cost of one consultation.

As a board-certified Lactation Consultant who has worked with moms and babies of Southeast Georgia in the public  health sector for the past 20 years, Pamela Holland can help you feel confident in your ability to learn how to nurture and feed your baby. 

Pamela Holland started her private practice because she felt that women were being too hard on themselves when they did not achieve the kind of breastfeeding success that “the books” recommended.  Breastfeeding is a natural process, but it may not always be easy.  Rather than take a cookie cutter approach, Pamela Holland believes each mom and baby are unique and must have a personal plan of care that is customized to meet their specific needs. After all, Caesarean delivery, multiple births, and proximity of extended family are just a few of the challenges that are typical in today’s newborn delivery.

If you are having any issues with breastfeeding or have had a previous experience that was less than you had hoped for,  call Babies, Breastfeeding and Beyond at 912-306-4619.

Lactation Consultant Pamela Holland, Babies, Breastfeeding and Beyond LLC, 912-306-4619. Babies, Breastfeeding and Beyond is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Many of you SouthernMamas.com readers are busy PTA moms and room mothers.

If you haven’t already, check out VolunteerSpot.com which offers FREE eBooks to help with fundraising and service activities. Ebooks include: Kid-Friendly Fundraising Ideas; Room Mom Survival Guide & School Party Ideas; and, just in time for end-of-year, The Greatest Gifts for Teachers.

Ever consider hosting a Swedish au pair?

Madde (pictured here) arrived in the United States on Feb. 21, 2011 and she is available to match with a new Host Family in her first program year. Madde can travel to her new Host Family’s home and start her new placement on any date between May 17 and June 15.

Madde has several years of experience babysitting and she has coached a synchronized swimming team. She comes from a supportive natural family who values cultural exchange – her sister was an exchange student in Pennsylvania and this truly inspired Madde to participate in an exchange program as well. She also has a four-year-old younger sister she cares for on a regular basis.

Madde currently works with a family caring for three boys. She is responsible for driving the children to and from their activities (the boys have 9 different activities they attend each week), preparing their meals, and all aspects related to the care of the boys. The Host Family has two au pairs in the home and the au pairs alternate their duties.

Madde’s Host Family recognizes that a household with 2 au pairs in the home is not suitable for every au pair. The family feels that Madde will be more successful working with a family where she can be the sole care provider in the home. The family indicates that Madde has a wonderful attitude (one of the best they’ve seen amongst their 10 au pairs they have hosted) and she is always willing to learn something new. They do indicate though that she does not have as much initiative with regard to household tasks. She tends to wait for the task to be requested of her; however, they state she has very good cooking skills. Madde will be a very good au pair for a family who has a clear, more predictable schedule, and perhaps with at least one girl.

Madde is a very good driver and she holds an International License that is valid until February 2012.

Take a look at other available au pairs now by clicking here.

AuPairCare is the leading au pair agency providing live-in childcare services to American families since 1989. Enjoy reliable childcare for a set fee that remains the same no matter how many children you have.  To find out more information, call 912.844.8487 or log onto AuPairCare.com

Thanks to Tour Buddy, a Savannah based iPhone development and multimedia tour production company, SouthernMamas.com has a treat for all of you who’ve been asking for a SouthernMamas app.

We’ve teamed up with Tour Buddy’s Savannah for KIDS iPhone Application that offers a GPS-enabled reference guide for over 20 kid- friendly places. The App now includes a page showing weekly events from SouthernMamas.com and a page of exclusive deals from our SouthernMamas.com sponsors.

Savannah for KIDS includes a detailed list of kid-friendly places for kids in Savannah including museums, playgrounds, state parks, indoor play centers and public areas in historic Savannah. The list can be viewed in four ways:
1) list view
2) on a GPS map that shows the users location and proximity to each place
3) a ‘ quick guide’ that provides an image and hours/admission
4) a detailed view that provides a full description with website and phone number links.

The app is designed to be a quick reference guide for local families and a resource for visiting families who are looking for kid friendly activities.

The app is available for download from the AppStore or iTunes for $1.99. Click here.

Other iPhone apps by Tour Buddy include a Savannah Walking Tour (paid and free versions); the Jepson Museum’s Dutch Utopia exhibit; the Shields-Ethridge Historic Farm in Jefferson Georgia; and Riverside Cemetery in Asheville NC. For more information,  visit the Tour Buddy website here .

Are you pregnant or new mother?

Are you feeling alone, sad, overwhelmed or angry?

The Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler and Mental Health America bring you a free line to help you deal with those feelings. Left untreated, postpartum depression can become debilitating.

Contact the Confidential Project Healthy Moms Warmline at 1-800-933-9896 ext. 234 or PHMhelp@mhageorgia.org  .

When you call or email the Project Healthy Moms Warmline, please leave a message, and an experienced registered nurse will respond as soon as possible. She will be able to provide peer support and encouragement and to suggest appropriate resources.

Read my article about local moms dealing with postpartum depression here. A big thank you to the moms who were generous enough to share their experiences with PPD.

What is postpartum depression and anxiety?

• Irrational, intrusive thoughts that seem like they are set on repeat. You may ask, ‘Why did I have that thought?’
• Anxiety is prevalent, including worries or obsession about the baby’s health
• Feeling all the time that you are doing everything wrong
• Depression, characterized by intense sadness, anxiety or despair.
• Tearfulness, insomnia, fatigue, appetite disturbance

The line is not for emergencies. It is considered a postpartum emergency if you are afraid you are going to hurt yourself or your child.

What can you expect when you call?
• The first call you will leave a message and Joanne will get back to you within 24 – 48 hours.
• A mother who has been through postpartum depression and anxiety and survived.
• To begin to understand that you are not alone and that there is help.
• Honest support about the good and the bad parts of being a parent.
• Joanne will have a resource list of local counselors should you want one.

Need childcare this summer?

No matter how many children you have, enjoy reliable childcare for just $340 per week with AuPairCare!

Au pair childcare offers you flexibility. The diversity of the au pair selection allows you to choose the au pair with the childcare experience, special skills, interests and personality that will best fit your family’s lifestyle. You set your au pair’s schedule and working hours to meet your needs.

Take a look at AuPairCare’s available au pairs by clicking here:

AuPairCare is the only au pair agency with an A+ rating form the Better Business Bureau cases, au pairs save families money while providing a rich cross-cultural experience. To find out more information about live-in childcare starting at $340 per week call 912.844.8487 or log onto AuPairCare.com. AuPairCare is a SouthernMamas.com sponsor.

Need a Mary Poppins to take over at a moment’s notice?

Check out Hilton Head Nannies, a leading nanny placement agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of highly-qualified nannies. Hilton Head Nannies serves Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie, Beaufort, Palmetto Bluff, Fripp Island, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Tybee Island, and Wilmington Island areas of South Carolina and Georgia.

Hilton Head Nannies clientele includes local families, families from all around the world who come to the Lowcountry to vacation, sports professionals, media personalities, internationally known musicians, movie directors, actors/actresses. Hilton Head Nannies has been the official Nanny & Babysitting Service of The Heritage PGA Tournament since 2007.

Owner and operator Jennie Krogulski has parlayed her more than 20 years working in childcare – including working as a  nanny for children nationwide and on Hilton Head Is. – into finding the perfect caregiver for your family whether for babysitting, vacation nanny services or part-time or live-in nanny jobs. 

Vacation Nanny Services

The agency’s Vacation Nannies Hotel, Villa, & Rental Home Childcare Services – available 24-Hours a day, 7 days a week – is ideal for tourists visiting the Hilton Head Island area. The nannies will come directly to your home or vacation suite. You and your children will receive a special postcard from your vacation nanny so that you know a little about her prior to your arrival.

Babysitting for Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Residents

Now you can have your own Placement Coordinator & Nanny Concierge Service that you can call on when you need a babysitter. Hilton Head Nannies offers such a service for locals in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton areas. Simply sign up for HHN’s Parent’s Time-Out babysitting program. After you pay a low annual membership, you can call Hilton Head Nannies with the date and time that you need a sitter and they’ll deliver a professional caregiver to your door.

Just like a real-life Mary Poppins, sans the flying umbrella and carpet bag, of course.

SouthernMamas.com discount: 10% off for all Southern Mamas readers on one service or 20% off annual membership fee. Mention you read about Hilton Head Nannies on SouthernMamas.com to receive your discount!

Hilton Head Nannies , Hilton Head Office: (843) 342-5673; Bluffton Office: (843) 815-1313; email children@hiltonheadnannies.com ; P.O. Box 2782, Bluffton, SC 29910, www.hiltonheadnannies.com  Hilton Head Nannies is a SouthernMamas advertiser.

Here’s the help you’ve been looking for for your struggling student – and at a discounted price, as well.

The Tutoring Center, a part of Royce Learning Center, offers one-on-one tutoring for students of all ages and abilities.

Unlike other tutoring programs, The Tutoring Center’s highly skilled tutors work individually with students to develop education plans based on their needs. Tutoring services are offered for all grade levels, preschool through college and adult.

The Tutoring Center at Royce also offers assistance in most academic subject areas, as well as study skills and standardized test preparation.

Students are matched with a tutor who is trained and experienced in areas of need, which often include learning disabilities, Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder and other learning differences. Some examples of subject areas include algebra, science, general math, social studies, SAT Prep, reading remediation and writing.

The Tutoring Center is a non-profit organization and is open to students from public and private schools. Fees are based on an hourly rate and scholarships are provide through United Way funding for those with financial need.

For the month of March, The Tutoring Center will waive registration fee for any new contracts. This is a $75 value!! To get the discount, please mention you heard The Tutoring Center on SouthernMamas.com.

For more information, or to sign up for tutoring, click here or call 912-354-4047 and speak with Sally Greenberg, Tutoring Coordinator. You can also email Sally at sgreenberg@roycelc.com .

The Tutoring Center at Royce, www.tutoringatroyce.com, 4 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd., Savannah, GA 31406, 912.354.4047 or email sgreenberg@roycelc.com The Tutoring Center at Royce is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

We all need counseling every now and then – whether for our romantic relationships, our children or ourselves.

Which is why it’s comforting to know about a new therapy practice in Savannah doing individual and family therapy called Georgia Outreach. Georgia Outreach therapists Ashley Richbourg and Kim Brauda offer a fresh, innovative approach to therapy.

Georgia Outreach Therapist Kim Brauda

Georgia Outreach Therapist Ashley Richbourg

When it comes to children or adolescent therapy at Georgia Outreach, the parent and therapist work as a team. The goal being that the therapist will serve as a resource to parents, as extra support in helping children during transitions. Georgia Outreach strives to provide an environment that children are eager to return to.

Georgia Outreach also offers couples counseling, whether you’re married or dating. Such therapy can be useful even before there’s ever an issue. “If you are having a “great” relationship you can make it better,” said Georgia Outreach therapist Ashley Richbourg. “If you find the right therapist, they will not point out what is wrong with you, but should focus on what is working and how to make the positives shine even more.”

During talk therapy for individuals, the therapist provides a non-judgmental, let-it-all-out, retreat-type session for individuals.

For SouthernMamas readers, Georgia Outreach offers a $20 discount per session on any private pay client who starts sessions in February. Mention you read about Georgia Outreach on SouthernMamas to receive the discount. Georgia Outreach is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Georgia Outreach, 408 East Bolton St., Savannah 31401, 912.349.4495, email Info@GaOutreach.com, www.gaoutreach.com

Travel is definitely on our minds lately with spring break and summer on the horizon. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if every city you visited had a Web site like SouthernMamas listing kid-friendly resources and events?

We know one city that does: Charlotte, NC. Parents there are smitten with CharlotteSmartyPants.com. Be sure to visit CharlotteSmartyPants before visiting Charlotte, NC. with kids. And spread the word to any parents you know moving to that area. Because as SouthernMamas readers know so well, entertaining kids is so much easier when armed with a wealth of fantastic child-friendly places and activities.

Heather Fountain, a local mother of two, co-founded The Next Generation, a volunteer organization founded to benefit the Backus Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center.

Click here to read about how her son Luke’s serious medical condition inspired Heather to start The Next Generation and how you can help support their efforts. Volunteers with The Next Generation donate their time, talents and financial resources to help Backus patients and families experience a little happiness while combating life-threatening conditions.

Next Generation BBQ, Brews & Bluegrass Fall Festival at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum, 3-7 p.m. Sun. Oct. 3, 2010
Face painting, bounce houses, pumpkin patch, train rides and more to benefit Backus Children’s Hospital. 601 W. Harris St. (912) 350-1524, 350-6374 or www.nextgenerationsavannah.com.

Bottoms Up is the newest cloth diaper resource in the Savannah area. This week you can win a $25 gift certificate to Bottoms Up!

Bottoms Up carries several styles of cloth diapers and accessories. New to cloth diapering? No problem! Bottoms Up specializes in private consultations in your home, or invite some friends and host a diaper show. Hosts get a free gift!

To enter to win the $25 gift certificate, visit the Bottoms Up Facebook page by clicking here, “like” the page and write a comment answering this question, “Do you or would you cloth diaper? Why or why not?”

Deadline to enter is Sun. Sept. 19. We’ll announce the winner here.

Bottoms Up, www.clothbottomsup.com, Contact Michelle Terhune at 912-658-6229 or via email: little_buns@yahoo.com. Visit Bottoms Up on Facebook by clicking here.