The Electronic Babysitter

How Au Pairs and Nannies Can Monitor Proper Television Viewing For Children Television can have positive effects on children if we use programs to educate. Parents, nannies, and au pairs can tape videos of programs that tie into the children’s school lessons, interests, or hobbies. For example, adults should tape a show on dinosaurs or […]

Trip to the Library for Au Pairs and Nannies

365 TV-Free Activities You Can Do with Your Child By Steven J. Bennet and Ruth Bennett Make the most of your time with your charges-whether it’s five minutes or a whole afternoon-with simple, fun activities that will excite the whole family. From arts and crafts to toymaking to math and number games, 365 TV-Free Activities […]

Daytime TV for Nannies and Au Pairs

The News, The Noise, The Courts, The SoapsChildren have trouble separating fantasy and reality. For example, in a television show the actors are not really hitting one another. They are acting and they aren’t even bruised or bleeding. In real life getting hit is an awful experience. Courts are convened to rend a legal opinion. […]

Should Nannies and Au Pairs Allow Children to Watch Game Shows and Situation Comedies?

Daytime television is filled with game shows and with reruns of syndicated situation comedies. Most adults assume there is no harm if nannies, au pairs, and kids watch “Seinfeld” or “The Price is Right.” Right? Wrong. Children are tough and resilient. Seldom are there single events that shape their perspective of life, rather, a culmination […]

Violence in the Media

Nannies and Au Pairs Must Monitor Media for Children Television, movies, magazines, newspapers, radio, music videos, video games, and the Internet are strong influences on children. Modern media technology greatly improves our lives with immediate access to news throughout the entire world, as well as educating us to other opinions, and our total learning. But, […]

"…after these messages."

Effect of TV Commercials on ChildrenThe most dangerous words your charges will ever hear broad-casted on the television are, “We will return after these messages.” The “messages” are not benign sources of information intended to benefit your life or the life of your charges. Advertisements, marketing companies, and sales pitches take up one-fifth of most […]

Television: Here, There, Everywhere

Daytime TV and the NannyTelevision is so pervasive, easy to use, and always available. It has expanded from the living room and recreation room, to the bedroom, kitchen, and even the bathroom. The television is in grocery stores, cars, and waiting rooms. Television is here, there, and everywhere. But, should nannies and au pairs turn […]

International Nanny Association Salary Survey

The 2009 International Nanny Association Salary Survey is based on the year 2008. Six hundred and sixty seven (667) in-home child care providers responded to the survey. The respondents included nannies, traveling nannies, temporary nannies, newborn care specialists, doulas, and governesses. The summary of the report can be found at: http://www.nanny.org/pdf/2009%20INA%20SURVEY.pdf Feel free to share […]

Nannies and cell phones

By The San Francisco Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=40153 Visit any San Francisco park on a weekday afternoon and you’ll likely see babies snoozing in strollers and toddlers pushing trucks through the sand, snacking on goldfish, and zipping down slides. You’ll also likely find a gaggle of nannies (and a handful of parents): some attentively watching their kids; […]

Nine Ways to Ensure Siblings Get Along

Here are some simple things nannies and au pairs can do every day to prevent sibling fighting. 1. Set ground rules for acceptable behavior. No cursing, no name-calling, no yelling, no hitting, and no door slamming allowed. 2. Solicit their input on the rules and consequences. This teaches kids that they are responsible for their […]