Frequently Asked Questions
Your Questions About Family Support Services in Boise
After over 20 years of supporting families globally, including here in the Treasure Valley I've learned that every family's journey is unique. Below are the questions I'm asked most often about my comprehensive family support services. If you don't see your question here, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to discuss how my services might serve your family's specific needs.
Understanding Different Types of Family Support
What's the difference between a postpartum doula and a newborn care specialist?
While there's some overlap, the focus and training differ significantly. A postpartum doula primarily supports the birthing parent's recovery and the family's adjustment, while a newborn care specialist (sometimes called a "Baby Nurse", “Maternity Nurse” or “Night Nurse”) focuses specifically on expert infant care.
As someone trained as both, I can adapt my support based on what your family needs most. Some days that might mean focusing on your recovery and family meals, other days it might mean infant care education, and often it's a blend of both.
Do I need a night nanny or sleep support?
This depends on your specific sleep challenges and family situation. Night nanny services are ideal when you need hands-on overnight care, someone to handle all nighttime infant/toddler care so you can get restorative sleep. This works well for families with newborns, during disruptive sleep progressions, or when parents are sleep-deprived.
Sleep support focuses more on establishing routines, understanding your baby's patterns, and giving you tools to manage sleep challenges independently. This might be better if you want to stay involved in nighttime care but need guidance on improving sleep patterns.
What about daytime nannying and childcare?
Many of my clients come to me for daytime nannying combined with home organization, this tends to be my most requested service combination. I work on a temporary or as-needed basis, which gives families professional support with the flexibility that works best for modern family life.
My childcare philosophy blends the best of Reggio Emilia, Waldorf-Steiner, and Respectful Infant Education (RIE) approaches, focusing on:
Children as capable researchers and collaborators (Reggio Emilia principles)
Natural materials and open-ended play (Waldorf-inspired elements)
Predictable rhythms with quality attention during care times (RIE approach)
Following children's natural interests and emerging curiosities
Providing co-regulation and modeling self-regulation so children can observe and internalize these skills naturally
Although I specialize in caring for children ages 0-3 years, though I do work with older children. My approach is responsive rather than reactive. I prioritize connection and honoring children’s authentic feelings and experiences while providing the structure and boundaries they need to feel safe.
Do I need home organization or household management?
These services overlap but have different focuses. Home organization concentrates on creating systems for your physical spaces. Decluttering, organizing rooms, setting up efficient storage systems, and creating routines that keep things tidy.
Household management is broader and includes the mental load of running a family. The meal planning, calendar coordination, errands, managing schedules and logistics, and handling the countless tasks that keep a household functioning smoothly.
Many families benefit from both, and I often provide a combination that addresses your biggest pain points first.
Can one person really provide both childcare and home organization?
Yes, and this is my specialty. I've found that families thrive when their support person understands the whole picture, how baby's routines affect household rhythms, how family transitions impact organization needs, how supporting parents impacts their capacity for everything else.
Rather than having multiple professionals who need to coordinate, you get comprehensive support that adapts to your family's changing needs.
Getting Started with Family Support
When should I hire family support services?
There's no "wrong" time to seek support. I work with families at all stages:
During pregnancy: Planning for baby's arrival, nursery set-up, preparing older siblings
Immediately postpartum: Recovery support, newborn care, family adjustment
Months later: When initial support has ended but new challenges arise
During transitions: New babies, sleep progressions, moving, returning to work, major life changes
Check-ins: support that adapts as your family grows and changes
Trust your instincts. If you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you could use an extra pair of experienced hands, that's the right time.
How do I know what type of support my family needs?
Often families aren't sure exactly what would help most. During our consultation, I help you identify your biggest pain points and most pressing needs. We might discover that what feels like a baby sleep problem is actually about your need for rest, or that household chaos is really about systems that don't fit your family's natural rhythms.
I draw from all my training and experience to create support that addresses what's actually going on, not just what's most obvious.
What areas do you serve in the Treasure Valley?
I provide services throughout Boise, Meridian, Garden City, Kuna, and surrounding Treasure Valley communities. I'm familiar with local hospitals, pediatricians, and resources, which helps me provide more personalized support for families in our area.
Practical Questions
How much do family support services cost in Boise?
Investment varies based on which services you need, how many hours, and the level of support required. I use customized pricing and packages rather than hourly rates because every family's needs are different—some require intensive hands-on support, others benefit more from guidance and light assistance.
During our consultation, I'll provide a clear quote based on your family's specific situation and needs. My minimum engagement is $100, which gives you an idea of the starting point, but most comprehensive support packages are designed around what will actually make a difference for your family.
I believe families deserve to understand their investment upfront, so I'm always clear about costs and work with you to create a support plan that fits your budget while providing meaningful benefit.
Do you work with families who have multiple children?
Absolutely, and this includes both multiples (twins, triplets) and families with multiple siblings. I've had the joy of working with many twin families over the years, there's something special about supporting families through the unique adventure of caring for multiples!
Whether you're expecting twins, have a toddler adjusting to a new baby, or managing several children of different ages, I understand how to balance everyone's needs. I can help older siblings adjust to new babies, maintain existing routines while adapting to additional children, and support parents managing the complex dynamics of multiple children at different developmental stages.
I do cap my services at families with up to 6 children, as this allows me to provide the quality, individualized attention each family member deserves.
Do you provide ongoing nanny services or just temporary support?
I work on a temporary and as-needed basis, which allows me to provide professional support when families need it most while maintaining the flexibility that works best for both families and my practice.
This might look like:
Regular weekly support during challenging phases (like a new baby adjustment period)
Intermittent support during transitions, travel, or when regular childcare falls through
Seasonal support when family needs change
Project-based household organization combined with childcare
Many families find this arrangement ideal because they get expert care and support with the flexibility to adapt as their needs change. It also allows me to serve multiple families and bring fresh perspective to each situation.
What's particularly special about this approach is the long-term relationships that develop. I have clients I've supported through different phases over months or years. Some families start with sleep support, transitioning to childcare during a challenging period, then returning for household organization, and later providing parental guidance as their child grows. Even when we don't see each other regularly, there's a continuity and bond that develops with both the children and families.
Many families appreciate having quiet, dependable support they can return to when life throws them curveballs—whether that's weeks or months later. Children remember our connection even with gaps between visits, and families know they have someone who understands their unique dynamics and can step back in seamlessly when needed.
Can services be customized for our family's specific needs?
This is exactly how I work. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Every family receives personalized support based on:
Your unique family dynamics and values
Cultural or religious practices you want honored
Your children's individual temperaments and needs
Your household's natural rhythms and preferences
Your goals and vision for your family life
How do you support different feeding approaches?
I support whichever feeding decisions work best for your family. Whether you're planning to breastfeed, bottle feed (EBF or formula), combination feed, or are still deciding, my role is to help make your chosen approach successful.
As a NCS, I adapt to your feeding routine—bringing baby to you for nursing, handling bottle preparation and cleanup, or supporting pumping schedules. As a postpartum doula, I provide practical support for whatever feeding journey you're on, helping troubleshoot challenges and connecting you with specialized resources when needed.
Every family's feeding journey is different, and there's no judgment here, only support for what works for you and your baby.
The Approach
What makes your family support different from other providers?
Several things set my approach apart:
Comprehensive expertise: Rather than being limited to one type of support, I draw from training as a postpartum doula, Advanced Newborn Care Specialist, Nannying and household management.
Long-term perspective: With over 20 years of experience supporting families globally, I understand how family needs evolve and can help you prepare for what's coming next.
Flexible approach: I adapt to your family's changing needs rather than applying rigid offerings.
Whole-family focus: I consider how supporting one family member affects everyone else, creating solutions that benefit your entire family system.
How do you work with families' cultural and religious values?
I respect that families have different traditions, practices, and values around child-rearing, postpartum recovery, and household management. Before beginning any support, I take time to understand what's important to your family and how I can honor those values in my care.
Whether you have specific cultural postpartum practices, religious considerations, dietary requirements, or family traditions you want to maintain, I work to understand and incorporate these into how I support your family.
Do you provide references or have testimonials from other families?
Yes, I'm happy to provide references from families I've supported, with their permission. Many families are willing to share their experiences because they understand how valuable it is to hear from others who've been through similar situations.
Scheduling and Logistics
How far in advance should I book services?
For prenatal planning or anticipated needs (like a due date), I recommend connecting 1-6 months in advance when possible. This gives us time to plan thoroughly and ensures I'm available when you need support.
For immediate needs or unexpected situations, I do my best to accommodate families quickly. Don't hesitate to reach out even if you need help right away.
Do you work weekends and holidays?
Family needs don't follow a business schedule, and neither do I. I provide support when families need it most, including weekends, holidays, and overnight hours.
Can I start with just a few hours to see if we're a good fit?
Absolutely. I often recommend starting with a shorter engagement so we can get to know each other and you can experience the support. Some families find that a few hours is exactly what they needed, while others decide to continue with additional support. There's no pressure either way, my goal is to provide what's most helpful for your family, whether that's a single session or ongoing support.
What happens if my needs change?
Flexibility is built into how I work. As your baby grows, your family adjusts, or circumstances change, we adapt the support accordingly. What starts as overnight newborn care might transition to household organization support, or postpartum support might evolve into ongoing family management.
Special Circumstances
Do you work with families experiencing postpartum mood disorders?
Yes, and I have extensive experience in this area. During my years working in Australia as a government-funded Maternity Nanny, I specialized in supporting families experiencing postpartum mood disorders, providing both practical support and connecting families with appropriate resources.
I'm trained to recognize signs of postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, and I have a network of qualified mental health professionals I can refer to when appropriate. Supporting families through mental health challenges requires specialized care, and I work closely with your healthcare providers to ensure you receive comprehensive support.
Can you help with high-needs or challenging babies?
Absolutely. Some babies require more intensive support due to colic, reflux, feeding difficulties, or other challenges. My experience with hundreds of babies means I've developed techniques for soothing even the most challenging little ones.
I also provide extra support for parents who are struggling with a high needs baby, helping you develop confidence and skills whilst ensuring you get the rest you need.
Do you work with premature babies or babies with special needs?
Yes, with appropriate coordination with your medical team. My Advanced Newborn Care Specialist training includes understanding the unique needs of premature babies and those with medical considerations. Additionally, during my years working as a government-funded Maternity Nanny in Australia, I gained extensive experience supporting families with medically fragile babies and complex needs.
I work closely with your pediatrician and any specialists to ensure your baby receives appropriate care while supporting your family through what can be a stressful time. This experience has taught me how to provide both expert baby care and the additional family support that's often needed in these situations.
Looking Ahead
How do I prepare for our first meeting?
Just come as you are. Whether you're pregnant and planning ahead or in the thick of new parenthood, I meet you where you are.
It can be helpful to think about your biggest challenges and what kind of support feels most appealing, but mostly I want to hear your story and understand what would make the biggest difference for your family.
What if I'm not sure exactly what I need?
This is completely normal. Many families know they need support but aren't sure what type would be most helpful. Part of my job is helping you identify what would make the biggest difference and creating a plan that addresses your most pressing needs first.
We can always adjust as we go and as your needs become clearer.
Still have questions? I'm here to help you imagine what it might feel like to have the support your family deserves. Every family's journey is different, and I'm honored to learn about yours.
