Guest name: Genna Hackley
Business name: Babysitters of Boulder
Finding reliable childcare shouldn't be this hard. But for so many families, it's one of the biggest challenges they're navigating.
Between daycare waitlists, rising costs, unpredictable schedules, and not always having family nearby to help, parents are often left trying to piece together childcare while juggling everything else life throws their way.
In this episode, I sit down with Genna Hackley, founder of Babysitters of Boulder, a local childcare agency connecting families with experienced, dependable caregivers. Genna has been working in childcare since 2005 and founded Babysitters of Boulder in 2018 after recognizing the need for a more reliable and organized way to connect families with the support they need.
We talk about the challenges families are facing when it comes to finding accessible, affordable, and trustworthy childcare. Genna shares what she's hearing directly from parents in our community, why our current childcare systems can feel so fragile, and how families can build a stronger support system. We also explore the important role babysitters play beyond the occasional date night. From backup childcare and after-school help to supporting families through unexpected life circumstances, there are so many ways caregivers can make everyday life a little easier.
Another important part of our conversation is the value of the people providing that care. Genna shares why it's time to change the way we think and talk about babysitters and other childcare professionals. These are people we're trusting with our children, and their experience, skills, and commitment deserve to be recognized and respected. We talk about why supporting caregivers matters just as much as supporting the families who depend on them.
And because this is a wellness podcast, we also talk about the connection between childcare and our overall well-being. As parents, it's easy to feel like we should be able to manage everything ourselves. But having dependable support isn't just about getting things done. It's about making time for our relationships, our mental health, and the things that help us feel like ourselves.
In this episode, we cover:
Why finding reliable childcare is so challenging for families today
The biggest childcare concerns Genna hears from local parents
How babysitters differ from nannies and other long-term childcare options
The different ways families can use babysitters beyond date nights
What to look for when choosing someone to care for your children
Why caregiver experience, screening, and reliability matter
How to build a dependable childcare support system
What expecting parents should consider when planning for childcare
How having reliable childcare supports parents' mental health and well-being
Why asking for help is important and what we're modeling for our children
The importance of valuing and supporting professional caregivers
Why childcare challenges deserve more attention in our communities
One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is that parents were never meant to do it all alone.
We hear the phrase "it takes a village" all the time, but building that village isn't always easy. And when families struggle to find support, it's not necessarily because they haven't planned enough or aren't doing enough. There are bigger challenges within our childcare systems that deserve attention.
Genna also shares a perspective I really appreciated about the value of caregivers. Whether someone is providing occasional babysitting or long-term childcare, they're playing an important role in a child's life and contributing to the well-being of the entire family.
This episode is your reminder that you don't have to do it all alone. Building a village matters, and supporting the people who care for our children is just as important as supporting the families who rely on them.