Cooking with Kids: Everyone Loves Potato Pancakes Many families are still celebrating Hanukkah. Latkes, or potato pancakes, are the traditional Hanukkah dish for Eastern European Jews. But, all children like latkes so all nannies and au pairs should consider making the children latkes during Hanukkah, even if the kids in their care don’t celebrate Hanukkah. […]
Au Pair Learns the Spirit of Thanksgiving
Why a Japanese Au Pair Loves an American Thanksgiving By Nanami A few years ago I came to America from Japan to work as an au pair for a family with two girls in Morristown, NJ. It was a difficult adjustment. Not only was there a language barrier, but I owned just a few non-Western […]
Thanksgiving Cornucopias

Cooking With Kids Cornucopias, sometimes called Horn of Plenties, are a common symbol of Thanksgiving. Typically cornucopias are filled with the produce, flowers, and foods of the harvest. Here’s a quick and easy cornucopia made with ice cream cones for the kids for Thanksgiving. What You Need: Waffle Cones or Large Sugar Ice Cream Cones Favorite […]
Children’s Books that Teach the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Trip to the Library In the spirit of Thanksgiving (coming up on Thursday) I borrowed some books from the library about thankfulness and the many blessings we have, rather than specifically about the holiday of Thanksgiving. I think these are great choices for children to share the spirit of Thanksgiving. Of course if you prefer […]
Headbanz

Product Review Sunday HedBanz Game is a guessing game that takes the classic game of 20 questions to a sillier level. Two to six players can play at a time, and each is equipped with three plastic chips and an adjustable headband. Each player selects a picture card from the deck and attaches it to […]
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Apple Dumpling Dessert

Cooking With Kids Kids love this easy apple dumpling dessert found on Food Network because it tastes like apple pie but they each can enjoy their own individual dessert. Simply core and peel apples and wrap them in their own pastry shell before baking. What You Need: 4 cups flour 2 cups shortening 1 cup […]
Starting a New Nanny Job
What You Need to Know When Starting a New Nanny Job Before starting a new nanny position caregivers and parents should sign a work agreement, fill out necessary tax paperwork such as Form W-4, and fill out and submit any applications for benefits being offered to the new employee. Most nanny placement agencies should be […]
Changing Jobs Doesn’t Change You
Simple Secrets of Successful People In his book 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People David Niven, Ph. D. explains that transitions intimidate us because everything seems so different. But, even though our work environment changes when we switch jobs, we don’t. In his book the author states that we all need some stability in our lives […]