Earlier this week we got to see the Elvis Costello and Steely Dan concert with my parents. It was awesome; not just the musicianship, but getting to experience another amazing live show with the people who so influenced my lifelong love of music.

I have written so many times about how my dad and I share a strong connection over music, but I want to recall one night in particular, from almost five years ago, that remains one of the most special snapshots of a simple evening at home that I can conjure.

So, we had bought tickets to the Elvis and Steely Dan show months ago and were all amped up to go until we realized that we had a problem. An epic problem. I had messed up the dates and therefore had no babysitter lined up. I tried all of my caregivers–and my friends’ caregivers–and I could not find anyone to sit at home and watch TV on my couch while my kids slept upstairs.

#teamMEA to the rescue. I posted a 5pm plea on our private Mommy, Ever After Page asking for any childcare leads and had a fantastic sitter lined up within five minutes. Literally five minutes.

But finding someone to take care of my children for the night was stressful. My husband almost skipped the concert entirely. And this is something that every parent I know deals with on a regular basis. Our children are our most precious gems and we can’t (and won’t) leave them in just anyone’s care. Finding someone reliable, trustworthy and fun can be a challenge,

despite the fact that I maintain that babysitting is the best. job. ever.

I have struggled with this many times and helped friends through the same predicaments.

And then I met Starla.

Starla Smith is the President of Household Staffing, a domestic placement agency that helps people to find caregivers of all kinds nationwide.

As Starla says, “When my child was born, I wanted to hire the best nanny available. I went ahead and hired someone who came highly recommended to me. I soon realized that what was the perfect fit for someone else, was not a good fit for my family. Hiring someone to work in your household is a very personal decision and demands personal service. I know what it takes to find the perfect match. I do it every day and have made successful matches for families across the country for 15 years and counting.”

And I could not agree her sentiments more. When my children were born, I had the most amazing experience with my doula, Margee, who was a mixture of Mary Poppins, a lactation consultant and an angel. She was warm and loving and told me that I was the best mother ever and that my baby was the best baby ever. That is my style.

On the other hand, many moms I know prefer a traditional baby nurse. They want to be told what to do, to be given explicit instructions and to be able to hand the baby off when necessary. That gives them the confidence that they need.

Support comes in many shapes and sizes, but universally it is crucial.

This is why Household Staffing is so special. Starla works to match families with their unique, individualized, perfect fit when it comes to finding a Nanny, a Baby Nurse, a Housekeeper

or any other domestic staff member that works to keep a family happy and home running smoothly (including estate managers, personal assistants, drivers and chefs).

I know, right?

What impresses me about Household Staffing is not just their decades of experience, but their personalized touch combined delicately with very serious protocol.

As they say, “At Household Staffing, we are great listeners, but also great at asking the right questions.”

How fantastic is that? They treat each individual family just as they should: as individuals, with their own set of unique circumstances, needs and personalities. Starla’s goal as the head of Household Staffing is to provide families with an additional family member, not just an “employee”. Starla is extremely passionate about her job, and takes on each family as if it were her own. She is a consummate nurturer, mama bear and has a strong sense of what “home” should feel like for children and their families. As she says, “I can quickly understand each client’s values and, after only a short conversation, know what home means to them.”

That said, at Household Staffing it is not only just warm and fuzzy. They take safety and the protection of your home and children incredibly seriously; it is their number one priority. After the selective screening process, once a position is accepted, they collect the following information on a candidate: a nationwide criminal investigation; a nationwide sex and violent offenders search; a 10-panel drug screening test; a motor vehicle report and they also personally reach out to the candidate’s references. Good on paper is not good enough for Starla and her team. They insist upon true greatness. In fact, as I mentioned before, Household Staffing’s placement guarantee assures that if you are not completely satisfied with the person with whom you have been matched, they will work to find you a suitable replacement. Starla will make it her personal mission. From the moment we met I could see the sincerity in her face and hear the warmth and love in her voice. This is not her business; this is her baby.

Life as a parent is hard, but Household Staffing can help you to unload some of your burdens, from the brutal process of trying to find the proper caregiver, to placing you with someone who will take care of your children and home.

So do you know what this means? This means that you can go to concerts with your parents and dance the night away, without having to worry for a second if your children are safe, happy and well cared for. Because with Starla holding your hand and Household Staffing to guide you, you will just know.

 For more information, you can visit their website and check out their FAQ page here, so that you know exactly what to expect from Household Staffing in terms of the financial commitment, their policies and all of the details you could possibly desire.

As always, just trying to make your life a little better.

And so are they.

This post was written in partnership with Household Staffing. As always, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.