Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

How This Working Mom Figured Out The Future of Parenting With the rise of these "Uber for X" companies, it's clear that parents across the country will soon have these options.

By David Wither

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

If summer means extra stress, there's a good chance that you're a working parent.

The employment market is competitive and benefits are on the decline (BI, Fortune, Forbes). Full-time nannies charge up to $20/hour. If you're feeling the heat, you are not alone. Last year, more than half of family households reported that they worked full-time. In the wake of this culture shift, at least one working mother has figured out how to lend a hand to more than just her neighbors. In doing so, she is reshaping what it means to parent in the 21 century.

Sara Schaer, founder and CEO of Kango, the care and transportation service for children, says that she never set out to create an "uber for kids." As a working parent herself, Sara created an app to help organize her local carpool 4 years ago.

"Back in 2012, as a working parent, smartphones helped me juggle my work-related tasks, but when it came to providing transportation and care for my children, a mobile device alone couldn't solve the problem. I needed trustworthy people to help me with my kids. It takes a village, but that village needed to go digital!"

Four years later, Sara's "virtual village" has grown to cover SF and the Bay Area.

"At first the app only allowed parents to help each other with carpools. When we realized parents wanted us to screen and find trustworthy drivers for their kids, we added our Rides and Care service, providing safe rides (and childcare) for kids from pre-screened, background checked, fingerprinted drivers and sitters. We expanded the service outward from SF in January of this year, and now cover the entire Bay Area. We're the only licensed service insured to drive kids of any age, and we provide a booster seat or car seat on request. You can even browse driver profiles or request your preferred driver if available."

Not surprisingly, Kango has found that a majority of its customers are working parents, and this new trend of childcare "on-demand" is following suit.

Sara says that her company is especially appealing because working parents can get their kids safely where they need to go, despite conflicting priorities at work such as a late meeting, or a business trip. She says a key is that the app allows parents to schedule rides days or weeks in advance, but also on demand for same-day needs.

"We allow their kids to sign up for and enjoy after school activities early in the afternoon, when parents are still at the office and help save money on childcare, because they no longer need to hire a nanny in order to get part-time coverage - Kango drivers can also babysit before or after a ride, oversee homework until parents return home, etc."

With the rise of these "Uber for X" companies, it's clear that parents across the country will soon have these options.

As of now, Kango is the leader in the Bay Area, HopSkipDrive serves Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco, Helpr services Los Angeles and Hello Sitter just launched in NYC.

David Wither

Team and Startup Management Coach, Wither Leadership Consulting

Thought Leaders

Need More Confidence? These 10 Bestselling Books Will Help Improve Your Self-Esteem

Self-esteem can be hard to come by and even harder to maintain. To give yourself a boost, try these authors' words of wisdom.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started at Age 15 Led to a $4 Billion Boon for Small Businesses: 'They Would Take a Chance on Me With Their Hard-Earned Money'

Nic Beique asked his local barber, gym and more if they'd like him to build a website for their businesses.

Growing a Business

Want to Expand Your Market Overseas? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Global Logistics in 2024

With rising geopolitical tensions and changing market conditions it can be hard for businesses to navigate supply chain logistics even in a post-pandemic world. Here are three tips from the CEO of an international customs brokerage.

News and Trends

Tata Motors Making Products Accessibility Simpler

From making financing solutions easier for its customers to making investments across brands; the company is dedicated to improve mass penetration

Business News

Elvis Presley's Granddaughter Fights Graceland Foreclosure, Calls Paperwork 'Forgeries'

The 13.8-acre estate was scheduled to be sold in a public foreclosure auction on Thursday. Presley's granddaughter and heir, Riley Keough, is fighting to save Graceland in court.

Business News

Kickstarter Is Opening Up Its Platform to Creators and Making Big Changes to Its Model — Here's What's New

The company noted it is moving beyond traditional crowdfunding and making it easier for businesses to raise more money.