r/AustinParents

Hi,

We are looking for a full time nanny in Austin for 3 kids (ages 5, 8, and a 1 month old).

Our needs include someone who can help with:

• Getting the kids ready in the morning, homework, etc.
• School and activity pickups and drop-offs
• Laundry and tidying up

Drivers license is required.

We are open to live-in nannies as well.

We’re also trying Facebook groups, agencies, and nanny websites.

If you know of any great nannies, please DM me.

Thank you in advance!

Parents of current Wooten Elementary students, would love to hear you take on the new school / staff / initiatives? Obviously it's new but are you noticing a difference? We are zoned there but their Failing Grades from the past year are less than convincing for us to stay there.

Planning a dinner with a fellow toddler parent who’s visiting from out of state. I wanted us to meet up at a place with a fun, safe outdoor play area like Austin Beerworks… but looks like the weather won’t be cooperating. Where can we meet up where our toddlers can play indoors besides Chick-fil-a? All of the restaurant playgrounds I’ve seen are outdoors

(Ideally north/central Austin)

Does anyone have experience with Anderson Mill’s Dual Language Program? I’ll have a kindergartner next year. We’re zoned for Purple Sage but are thinking of requesting a transfer to the dual language program at Anderson Mill. I’ve heard good things overall about Purple Sage but don’t know anyone at / haven’t been able to find out much about AME.

Hello! My name is Kristin and I am the Director of Excused Absence Comedy, the youth program at ColdTowne/UCB Austin.

The week of May 26th - 29th, we have both a half day camp for ages 4 to 6 (Hooray, Improv!) and a full day camp for ages 6 to 13 (Improv for the Stage and Beyond).

I know that AISD is still in school for part of that week, but thought I might reach folks attending schools who are in need of activities that week. Can't make that week? We've got a lot of other options over the course of the summer.

https://preview.redd.it/nnbo0rqthz1h1.jpg?width=4899&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a85beb0f4eacea650a352a8c8b96d31b573feb3

I was reading discussion in an advocacy group about a political plan involving Austin ISD District 2 Trustee Laressa Quintana and Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, where Quintana would use the D2 school board seat as a stepping stone for a future City Council run when Fuentes runs for Mayor of Austin.

After looking into it myself, I found serious questions surrounding Quintana’s residency history and eligibility tied to her candidacy and continued service on the board. Despite campaign statements that she had lived in District 2 for four years, records and publicly available information show residency in Cedar Park, Leander, and later Kyle. There are also questions about her claimed East 7th Street apartment given it was not her actual primary residence. The 7th St. apartment is an affordable, low income housing apartment under LIHTC making residential violations extend into federal law.

After joining the board, Quintana married fellow AISD Trustee Andrew Gonzales. It became apparent Quintana actually resided with Gonzales at his District 6 residence outside her own trustee zone. Following the house fire at Gonzales’ home, Quintana lost her belongings and her pets who were also living there.

A GoFundMe connected to the fire raised more than $60,000 from constituents, political figures, and community members while both trustees were participating in major AISD decisions, including school closure votes where developers are salivating over new land deals and developments.

AISD policy and Texas law require trustees to maintain residency within the districts they represent. If these facts are accurate, the public deserves answers about residency compliance, transparency, and voters being misled.

The other trustees knew or should have known from the time she lost her belongings and pets in a house fire outside of her zone. It is the duty of the district, trustees, and their board counsel to comply with the law.

People should be paying far closer attention to who is sitting on the Austin ISD board and how political relationships and future ambitions may be influencing decisions.

Has anyone done this? My kids' school has a great music program but no structure for parental support for all the extracurricular they do. ​

Does anyone know if the district is going to do anything about the address fraud that is going to occur because of the school closures? I’m hearing stories about people using friends or relatives addresses or rental properties to get access to my neighborhood school after the transfer process didn’t get them when at they want. Im really concerned about over crowding, not to mention that it’s just going to keep the disparity among schools in the city if parents with more money and resources can game the system!

I moved to Austin from a city of 60k people, and I gave birth to my child in a smaller, six bed L&D unit. It was such an incredible experience. with compassionate nurses and great accesss to doctors and specialists. One of my biggest fears about moving to a larger city is getting absorbed into a large industrial healthcare system for the delivery of my second baby and being treated like a number. I’m curious if anyone has had experiences good or bad with Baylor, Scott and White using their new 6 bed birthing center in Lakeway. (Or if you have other suggestions). On surface level, it checks a lot of my boxes and I feel assured that there are other options in the area should my needs during pregnancy change/require more care along the way. Does anyone have experiences here good or bad? How about any providers that are delivering physicians at the hospital? Anyone you loved that had a more community centered care mentality? I need an OB faster than I anticipated 🫪

Hi- I may need a pediatric surgeon (general) for removal of an infected cyst. We typically go to dell children’s for stitches etc.. but fortunately have not needed anything more serious. Does anyone have experience or recommendations for surgeons? Would be willing to go to Texas children’s if that’s a better option.

Hi parents!

I’m not having much luck on facebook so I thought I’d try here!

I’m currently a full time work from home SAHM (a mouthful i know lol) looking to transition to part time work to help balance work and taking care of our son. I’m looking to help a family as a part-time nanny/mommy’s helper in Central/South Austin. I live in Buda but I don’t mind to commute too far. My son is 13 months old, so I have experience is infant/toddler routines. I also have 2 years of paid childcare experience. I’m also open to helping with housework, errands, meal prep if that’s something that would help your family.

Feel free to message me to chat more!

Edit: I am available to work without bringing my son along, but would love to bring him if that is something that is a good fit.

hi everyone! i’m a mom posting this here as the local nanny groups on facebook are currently flooded with nannies looking for summer roles.

our nanny and i are looking for a family to join our existing nanny share in September 1, when the other kiddo starts school.

About the share:
• Schedule (open to discuss modifying):
◦ Monday - Thursday, 8am-5pm
◦ Friday - 8am - noon
◦ 40 hours guaranteed

• Pay: $17/hr per family paid via payroll service (we use Poppins Payroll, which is super easy).

• Ages: Our son will be 1 year old at the beginning of the share.

• Hosting: Our family is open to hosting full time if needed. We are located in 78704 (near S 1st and Cumberland).

• Vaccinations: Must follow AAP's vaccination schedule

• About our nanny: We joined this share back in January and our time with her has been great. She has lots of experience working with multiples and shares, is CPR certified, and knowledgeable about safe sleep, BLW, and helped us get our then-4 month old on a nap schedule.

Please DM me if you’re interested and would like to see our contract/hear more about our setup!

Hi. I will be moving soon. Son is in elementary school. I’m considering relocating to areas zoned to Highland Park Elementary, Brentwood, Bryker Woods or attempting to transfer into Mathews. I’m wondering about the commute to Eanes Elementary from central Austin. Would commuting to Eanes elementary be worth it over these specific AISD Elementary schools? I think there’s value in living in the same area as we’re zoned for friendships and general commuting. Alternatively, I could look at moving into the area zoned for Barton Creek Elementary, but that’s a little trickier. I’d love some feedback as I think this through. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm a Round Rock dad launching a screen-free summer project for kids (ages 6–10) called Paper Portals next week, and I’d love some honest feedback from other parents before I fully lean in.

The concept is a 6-week "mystery adventure" where kids receive a physical dossier in the mail every week (think large-format maps, top-secret ciphers, and evidence files to solve a season-long case.)

The goal is to provide a high-value "boredom buster" that gets them excited about checking the mailbox instead of a tablet.

I’m currently looking at a price point of $30 for the entire 6-week program, which includes all six mailings, postage, and a physical "Cadet ID" card.

Since summer vacation starts June 1, I’m on a tight timeline to make sure the "mystery" is actually engaging enough for that age group.

I’m not posting a link to avoid being spammy, but I would love your thoughts on two things:

1. Does $30 (including postage) feel like a fair value for a physical activity like this?

2. Is "6 weeks of mystery mail" something your kids would actually look forward to, or are they too tied to digital games?

I'd appreciate any "potholes" you can help me spot in the idea!

Reposting some info (below) from Education Austin. AISD’s budget deficit is getting worse and worse. The state’s funding combined with Recapture is unsustainable. In case you’re not familiar, AISD pays significantly more than any other district in Texas back to the State. In 2023 it was ~$900M. Over 40% of Austin’s property taxes towards AISD education goes back to the State. Texas funding per pupil is also one of the lowest in the nation and has not kept up with inflation by any means. We hear a lot about the budget deficit, school closures, lower enrollment, mismanagement, but let’s remember how the State plays a central role in all of this.

Teacher Appreciation Week shouldn’t stop at thank yous. Turn appreciation into action.

Our schools are dealing with real budget cuts caused by chronic underfunding. That shows up as larger class sizes, fewer staff, lost programs, and more pressure on educators and students every day.

Right now, state lawmakers are holding a public education hearing that will shape what comes next, including funding decisions. If educators and families are not part of the official record, those decisions get made without us.

Take action: Go to comments.house.texas.gov Select the House Public Education Committee, Choose the May 11 hearing. Write a comment about how budget cuts and underfunding are affecting your school, your classroom, or your child.

You do not need to be an expert, your Firsthand experience matters!

If you appreciate teachers, advocate for the conditions they need to do their jobs!! 🍎❤️ #education #teacherappreciationweek🍎✏️📚

Am I understanding it correctly that kids won’t have PE every day anymore?

Have been taking my 2yo to Saturday morning ‘Waddlers’ gymnastics at WAYA since the fall. Didn’t realize they don’t run classes over the summer and only have 2 weeks left before I need to find a new Saturday morning activity.

Looking for any recommendations of classes/weekly activities to swap in during the summer. All the summer camps everyone seems to run don’t help, wife and I both work during the week and he’s in childcare.

Ideally just want a fun way to do something together and get energy out every Saturday morning till fall classes pick back up. Appreciate any recommendations!

Hi! First time mom here! Due end of June. Partner and I (early/mid 30s) are moving to Austin pretty soon after my baby is born. I have three wonderful bonus babies (14, 12, and 8). I am researching neighborhoods that fit what we need but most importantly have amazing high schools to best prepare them for college. We currently live on a ranch outside of Houston so anything similar to the concept of open space and a lot of land would be nice. We love having animals on our property.

What we are looking for:

• diversity in school - we are both minorities and would love to see our kids thrive and not singled out
• strong academics with college readiness
• safe neighborhoods - we love nature and swimming as a family
• kid sports/ interest are cross country, swimming, powerlifting, art, and orchestra
• an awesome elementary tied to the neighborhood
• COMMUNITY as a mom I would love to get involved as much as possible especially since we are moving away from our village
• partner works at Tesla near the airport so I am worried about his commute but he would drive if it means better education for our kids

Looking for professionals (or other ideas) to watch our toddler twins while we're in the hospital having their sibling.

Our family is out of state so even if they planned to come, they may not get here in time. I'm sure we could patchwork some friends, but that seems like a lot to manage during a stressful time.

Planning to give birth at St David's North. We're on the border of North Austin/Pflugerville.

This question is for mom's who nurse to sleep.

My almost one year old has become more nap resistant. She'll nurse but then roll off and insist to play while giving subtle tired cues.

If I get her in the car she'll pass out around the regular nap time, but doesn't sleep as deeply.

What I'm trying to figure out is, is this normal? How do I tell if she's ready for one nap or do I need different ways to put her down for a nap? Also, when was the right time to wean for you? And was it easier for naps than night time?

Thank you!