Homemade Finger Paint Recipes

Creative Wednesdays Making finger paint with the kids is an easy and fun project to do. These homemade recipes are great because they are non-toxic and the ingredients can be found in most kitchen pantries. Simply cover the kitchen table with thick paper and let the kids feel the different textures while painting with their hands. Allow youngsters […]

What I Love About Working as a Nanny During the Summer

I confess I love taking advantage of the fact that play and fun are the name of the game when caring for kids during the summer. Although I’m great working with schedules during the school year, I enjoy the flexibility of planning what we want to do during the summer months. I love that as […]

Have You Ever Had a Trial Period?

Respecting Professional Boundaries for Nannies and Parents During Trail Periods Some nanny agencies recommend nannies and families have a trial period before signing a work agreement. Although I don’t like the idea of having caregivers being on probation, I do understand that trial periods can be arranged professionally to benefit both parties. Most importantly, parents must […]

Summer Learning with Toad and Frog

Review of Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel What’s better than inspiring children’s curiosity? One way to do that is to read a children’s book to your charge then continue doing activities inspired by the book. Today, we hope our Weekly Trip to the Library for nannies and au pairs will inspire child […]

Pinwheel Sandwiches

Making Hor D’oeuvres for Kids  I don’t know where I found the recipe for pinwheel sandwiches but I started making pinwheel peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for kids when I first started working as a nanny 20-years ago. Since 1993 I have been serving the tiny treats because all the kids I have cared for love the […]

12 Tips for a Skype Job Interview

Have You Ever Used Skype for a Job Interview? Nannies, au pairs, and parents don’t have to leave their own homes to have real-time, face-to-face interviews anymore. With modern technology not only are nannies finding more jobs online then ever before, they are also using the Internet to have job interviews with potential employers. Skype […]

Outdoor Water Activity: Bike Wash

Wednesday with Whitney Water play is key during hot summer days. Keep the kids cool with this fun water activity published by Parents Magazine. Invite all the kids in the neighborhood to bring their trikes, scooters, and strollers along too. What You Need: Bike, trike, or even a bunch of small matchbox cars Washable markers Buckets […]

Be Patient with Your New Nanny

Nanny Confessions: Starting a New Job is Difficult The first days and weeks of a new nanny job can be fun and exciting, but it is also stressful. Nannies have so much to learn about the parents, kids, and the home that they need the parents and the kids to be patient with them. What […]

Don’t Cross the Line: Don’t Snoop

Respecting Professional Boundaries for Nannies Nannies and au pairs work in the homes of their employers giving them access to nearly all the family’s intimate belongings and personal information. It may be tempting to look at a bill or financial statement left out on a desk or counter, but in-home caregivers must resist the temptation […]

Summer Learning with Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Weekly Trip to the Library for Nannies and Au Pairs Read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This story describes a day in which everything goes wrong for a boy named Alexander. When Alexander got up in the morning, he found gum in his hair, tripped on his skateboard, and accidentally […]