No 1: Gathering
Hi, I’m Elley! Mom of two, lifelong educator, and someone who misses the days when connecting with your community happened over casual conversations while checking the mail instead of scrolling through a screen of strangers. When I ask parents and nannies what’s missing in the lives of our kids today, the answer is almost always the same... "the village".
We crave word-of-mouth recommendations, borrowed maternity clothes, memorizing our friends’ phone numbers, and knocking on the door to ask if so-and-so can come out to play! Today, so much of that natural rhythm has become an illusion of community while we grow increasingly more isolated. At Pair & Care, our mission is to actively rebuild that village so your circle can feel like that trusted neighborhood cul-de-sac again.
Beyond matching families and nannies, you can find me testing the mud puddles, navigating meltdowns in the library with my two in-house Field-Ops Directors (wink), and scheduling playdates with my fellow caregivers to gather, connect, and recharge. So, consider this newsletter your official invitation to the circle. Follow along for honest reflections, resources, and updates to help you build your village!
Field Notes...
Endicott Park has been the perfect backdrop for our Diaper Bag Brigades. We’ve learned all the names of the animals, mapped out the far reaches of the trail system, and made a pit stop at the double swing during every visit! The park has space for pop up mud kitchens, picnics in the sun, elite playground play, hiking exploration, farm animals, a nature center, and anything your indoor and outdoor heart could imagine! Free during the week, bathrooms, and stroller accessible makes this one a must see (and must-see-again!)... every time feels like a new adventure. When you go, can you find Angus, a Turtle, a Tractor, and an apple tree?!
Don't Miss Out
Skip the crowds and ticket fees... Long Hill's gardens and pumpkin trail are free and open for everyone before 4:30 PM. It’s an easy, sensory-rich morning outing for you and the kiddos before the season wraps up!
Listen Up
If toddler meltdowns leave you feeling drained, this Dr. Becky guest spotlight episode is an absolute game-changer. Her perspective on holding boundaries completely reshaped how I show up as a leader for my kids.
Snack Right
Check out local dietitian Kelly Millan for simple, stress-free ways to build balanced toddler plates. Even better? She’s joining our upcoming Diaper Bag Brigade to share easy meal and snack strategies in person!
🔥 HOT JOBS
We are actively looking to find an infant nanny for an upcoming short-term family placement in Beverly. This 3 month placement offers $35/hour with guaranteed hours, PTO, and a dedicated completion bonus upon successful fulfillment of the contract.
⚖️ HR 101
Guaranteed Hours means a nanny is paid for their baseline schedule (e.g., 40 hrs/wk) regardless of whether the family needs all 40 hours. If a family travels or grandma visits, the caregiver can still rely on stable income. Think of it as paying for their ability to remain available to you.
Don't miss our November events!
Monthly Theme: Gathering
As the air turns crisp and winter nears, our November theme turns naturally to Gathering. You and your little can celebrate with hands-on activities, cozy togetherness, and grounding to the natures rhythms. Become junior naturalists; collect pinecones, seed pods, and stones to sort by texture and weight, or engineer stick shelters for woodland critters. Gathering can be about sharing treasures, practicing patience, and learning to regulation skills when large groups start to feel overwhelming. Use this as a time to tune in to the crunch of dried leaves and the scent of damp pine and gather natural supplies to build a centerpiece for your holiday feasts.
What's on Our Bookshelf?
Grandma’s Button Box- Linda Williams Aber
May I Come In- Marsha Diane Arnold
Before We Eat- Pat Brisson
Full, Full, Full of Love- Trish Cooke
Strega Nona’s Harvest- Tomie dePaola
A House That Once Was- Julie Fogliano
Hooray for Fall!- Kazuo Iwamura
Frederick- (Leo Lionni)
Saturday- Oge Mora
A Trip to the Farmers Market- Tabitha Paige
A Boy Named Isamu- James Yang
🌰 Caregiver Pause: Before asking them to drop the stick, empty their sandy pockets, or leave the pinecone behind today, ask yourself: what meaning does this small treasure hold to them right now?
🌾 Caregiver Pause: What is your child gathering from you today? Beyond your words and instructions, what emotional weather are they absorbing from your posture, your breathing, and your eyes?
