Community Highlights: Meet Elise Silver of Silver Lining Nanny & Doula Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Silver.

Hi Elise, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
When my parents brought my premature sister home from the NICU when I was 4 years old, I couldn’t believe I finally had my baby. Through this life-changing experience, I learned that it is not actually how you have a baby! Once I was a bit older, and living in Vermont, my mother had the incredible idea of pairing me with new mothers on the weekends. Without knowing it, this began my life-long journey of supporting new parents and families as they find their silver lining in parenthood. Since that first mother’s helper position at 9 yrs old, I have never stopped caring for children or families in one way or another, from running a private preschool in my hometown to running my doula & nanny agency, with 22years of experience with families I have seen just about everything. Along the way, I have also gained life experiences, certifications, and degrees that allow me to meet each family wherever they are. After deciding to move down to North Carolina in 2015 (and quite literally dropping a pin in Raleigh without having a job or knowing anyone), I began the next part of my career at the agency. Once settled, I realized the missing silver lining in childcare- a cohesive option for caring for the newest of babies to any age child while providing a balance of education, nurturing, and love to the parents. A few years later, Silver Lining Doula & Nanny Services was born.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
What road doesn’t have bumps? I am grateful that many of the struggles I have experienced have helped me support families in a way I couldn’t have otherwise. One of the biggest road bumps I have experienced was in my late teens & the early twenties. I underwent routine back surgery, which debilitated me for 4 years and required 9 other surgeries. During this time, especially in VT/NH, it was still the tail end of the opioid epidemic. My doctors had no answers for me or my parents, and they prescribed me anything (and everything) under the sun to ease the pain. I never sought medications, but I was a vegetable on my parent’s couch and ended in sight. Thankfully, with the help of my family, physical rehabilitation, and finding medical facilities that better understood genetic conditions and pain, I was able to make a full recovery. I felt a great deal of shame about this part of my life (and still do in many circumstances). But understanding better and navigating the health system has benefitted me far more than those four debilitating years. My road has had many bumps, but I am lucky to have an amazing family and support network.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Silver Lining Nanny & Doula Services?
SILVER LINING DOULA & NANNY SERVICES is a unique agency that adapts to each family’s ever-changing situation. We deliver talent, intention, flexibility, and awareness to provide childcare services for the whole family. The delicate process of helping our families choose a caregiver for their most precious humans isn’t a job we take lightly! We will meet your family where you are.

Silver Lining services help make the transitions through parenthood smoother by empowering parents and giving them the confidence and tools to find their parenting style. As each family is unique, parenting experiences are just as unique. Silver Lining Services will be there with love, compassion, and without judgment as we support the family through this journey. We specifically work with parents from the postpartum period onward, but no matter what a family needs, we are there! A few of our primary services are listed below:

POSTPARTUM DOULA SUPPORT Throughout history, after giving birth, caring family members with great experience and wisdom surrounded women. This kind of help is rarely available to new parents in many societies today with increased distance from family and parenting responsibilities in the modern world. Our education, quiet support, and guidance are a manifestation of traditional postpartum support that many cultures are missing today. Some of the services we offer are nurturing the new mother (helping her care for her postpartum body, allowing her to rest), breastfeeding support, infant care, sibling care, emotional support, cooking meals, light house cleaning, errands, pumping/breastfeeding schedule, and helping the new baby adjust to a schedule. We offer overnight and daytime support. We can go into more detail about our services at our consultation.

TRAVELING NANNY & DOULA Ever feel the need to get away but secretly dread it because you will be without your Doula or Nanny? Get your bags packed because we offer Doulas and Nannies who will travel with you and care for your little ones! This service is best utilized for parents with multiple children, parents traveling for work, or parents needing extra support, as it is charged daily, not hourly. When traveling, the family pays for the Doula or Nanny’s transportation, food, and all event costs incurred while working. The rate of these services depends on the length of the trip and the care needed.

AS NEEDED NANNY SERVICES Utilize one of our nannies anytime you need childcare for one day up to three months for children eight months and older. The nannies on our team work with multiple children of all ages, are CPR certified and have a clear background check. This service is perfect for when a child is sick, on in-service days from school, on vacation throughout the school year, and on summer vacation. Nannies are even available to help out with grocery shopping and preparing easy meals for children! Also available, for an additional hazard fee, are nannies who will care for children when any member of your home is sick!

PARENT COACHING From the comfort of your home, parent coaching offers a judgment-free, confidential space for parents to set goals, vent, and communicate. Through parent coaching, you will work to foster calm, confident discipline, respectful communication, and relationships between all members of your family. Committing to ongoing coaching helps parents cultivate various solutions for any situation. However, we also offer One-Time ‘QUICK FIX CALLS.’ Just moved to the area? Need guidance navigating the healthcare system for a child recently diagnosed with a developmental or physical delay? Need an IEP, 504, or Psychological Evaluation review or recommendation? We are here to support you! With the ongoing support of Elise and her years of expertise, parents will also develop a better understanding of each other, their children, and the family as a whole. Book a parent discovery today and accomplish your parenting goals.

SLEEP EDUCATION Welcoming babies home can be a constant go-around of learning new things and constantly trying to keep them safe (and yourselves sane)! Our Sleep Education offers a safe, judgment-free space for parents and caregivers to learn about healthy sleep routines and safe sleeping habits. Each sleep plan is family-centered, incorporates years of expertise, and gently works toward improving the entire family’s nighttime and daytime sleep.

SIBLING LABOR SUPPORT So many parents need to build their village to support their families. As expectant parents decide to expand their family, one of the most important things is finding support for their older children as they welcome new ones Earthside. This support is generally offered for 12 hours while parents are in labor. Our caregivers remain on call from the time of the contract until two weeks after the parent’s expected due date.

PERKS TO WORKING WITH US:
• Continuity of care between services and caregivers.
• Many services available for reimbursements by employers and FSA/HSA dependent accounts.
• Wonderful network of caregivers who treat your family like their own.

How do you define success?
The definition of success has changed for me over the years. I was raised to believe that success is directly correlated with your college degree and salary, but I have learned this is different from the success that fulfills me. Success to me means doing work that serves others. I don’t mean volunteering daily but actively making a difference in people’s lives. Some of the biggest signs of success for me are the word of mouth referrals, adapting my work to protect my body physically, and being someone others can depend on.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.silverliningdoula.com
• Instagram: silverliningdoulaservices
• Facebook: silverliningnannydoula