As a professional snack distributor, argument negotiator, and CEO of Mess Containment (aka, nanny), I’ve seen my fair share of creative chaos. But nothing — nothing — prepared me for Squirt Gun Super Soaker Painting! From the brilliant brain of Louise McMullen in “Fun Painting Projects for Kids,” this fun activity is part Jackson Pollock […]
“Mothercoin: The Stories of Immigrant Nannies” by Elizabeth Cummins — From A Nanny’s Perspective
July 5, 2025 Leave a Comment
“Mothercoin: The Stories of Immigrant Nannies” is not a comforting read — but if you’re an immigrant in America it will be a validating one. Elizabeth Cummins Muñoz has written the book I didn’t know I was waiting for: a rich, unflinching exploration of the women behind America’s well-raised children, cleaned homes, and free time […]
Stars, Stripes, and Cheese Platter
July 4, 2025 Leave a Comment
As a nanny, I’ve dodged LEGO landmines, negotiated snack treaties, and performed bedtime song encores like I’m on a never-ending toddler tour. But every 4th of July, I trade the chaos for an easy charcuterie board — and this year, I went full founding foodie with red and blue berries and white cheese and crackers […]
Patriotic Sensory Tray
July 2, 2025 Leave a Comment
Children love sensory trays because they provide a fun and engaging way to explore different textures and sights through hands-on play, stimulating multiple senses at once. I loved creating this 4th of July sensory tray theme for a toddler in my care. Although I could have easily purchased red, white, and blue colored sensory rice, […]
Review of “Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant: How Nannying For the 1% Taught Me About the Myths of Equality, Motherhood, and Upward Mobility in America” by Stephanie Kiser
June 28, 2025 Leave a Comment
I am reading as many books written by nannies or about nannies as I can this summer. Stephanie Kiser is a former nanny who worked for affluent families on Manhattan’s Upper East Side who wrote the memoir, “Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant. How Nannying For the 1% Taught Me About the Myths of Equality, Motherhood, and […]
Build-Your-Own Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs
June 27, 2025 Leave a Comment
Letting kids help make meals gives them a sense of pride and they are less likely to be finicky if they help prepare and choose the foods they eat. Provide them with healthy protein and vegetables choices and let them build their own shish kabobs for dinner. You Will Need: 6 Chicken Breasts, chopped into […]
Hopscotch With a Twist
June 25, 2025 Leave a Comment
You can get the kiddos active by drawing a typical foursquare court, an obstacle course, or hop scotch with sidewalk chalk. But we love this idea from JrImagination. Instead of playing a normal hopscotch game, add different activities to boxes. Use sidewalk chalk on your Nanny Family’s driveway or sidewalk to draw boxes similar to […]
Fruit Kabobs
June 20, 2025 Leave a Comment
The little ones in your care will love making fruit kabobs. Just clean and cut up the kids’ favorite fruits and have them put them on skewers for a refreshing summer snack on a stick. You Will Need: Strawberries, Hulled Cantaloupe or Honeydew Melon, Chunks Pineapple, ChunksKiwi, PiecesBlueberries, Raspberries, BlackberriesBamboo Skewers What to Do: As an […]
Rainbow Slime
June 18, 2025 Leave a Comment
Kids love rainbows and slime. So I combined the love of both and the children in my care and I made 4 colors of slime. To make rainbows you will need to make 6 colors of slime from the recipe I found at thebestideasforkids.com. See how to make slime with laundry detergent by tapping here, […]
Oat Banana Muffins
June 13, 2025 Leave a Comment
Bananas are always turning brown too soon in my kitchen and at my Nanny Family’s house. I found this yummy oat muffin recipe at the hungry hobby web site to use some over ripe bananas for the children I care for and I to enjoy. The kids love baking and eating the muffins they helped make […]
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