Nanny Confessions: Nannies Need to Practice What They Preach We say it all the time to kids: “If you don’t have something nice to say don’t say it at all.” If nannies find themselves saying the common phrase to kids, why can’t nannies do the same with one another? Nannies need to think before they […]
[Continue reading...]Should Nannies Work for Family Members?
August 12, 2013 2 Comments
Risks of Mixing Family and Business: Respecting Professional Boundaries The number one piece of advice I have for nannies and parents is to always remember that nannies are employees, not family members. But, what should nannies do when they are working for family members? Should nannies even consider working for family members? The greatest benefit […]
[Continue reading...]Peter and the Wolf
August 10, 2013 Leave a Comment
Weekly Trip to the Library One of the challenges of working as a nanny is finding activities my three charges (aged 3-years-old to 13-years-old) can all enjoy at the same time. But this week I remembered my favorite childhood classic Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf with the CD of musical themes. All three of the […]
[Continue reading...]Do the Kids You Care for Have Chores?
August 8, 2013 2 Comments
Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids By Sarah Aguire of about.com Include children in all household chores you do. They won’t get frustrated if you ask them to help with age-appropriate chores. Remember that children mature at their own pace and not all kids will be capable of advanced chores at the same age, just as some […]
[Continue reading...]Making Sponge Balls
August 7, 2013 1 Comment
Squeeze all the fun you can get out of summer with these great handmade water toys! Growing up my mom used to make them all the time for us and they were way better than the mono colored water balls other kids got from the store. And, I realize now, cheaper too! So grab a […]
[Continue reading...]Be Careful Talking Politics at Work
August 6, 2013 1 Comment
Nanny Confessions I typically have worked for parents that vote differently than I do. Although I am a passionate follower of almost everything political in America, and I make it no secret about who I support, I confess I don’t discuss it in depth with the parents at work. But, I have heard stories about […]
[Continue reading...]Nannies Shouldn’t Drink: Even When Working a Party
August 5, 2013 1 Comment
Respecting Professional Boundaries for Nannies and Parents All parents expect their nannies to come to work sober. While working, nannies should not take an alcoholic drink even if the parents offer them a sip of champagne or a glass of wine with dinner. When in-home child care providers are on-the-clock and caring for kids it’s […]
[Continue reading...]Parking Pal Magnet
August 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
Parking Pal Car Magnet It’s often hard to control kids in parking lots when unloading packages, rifling for keys, and tending to a baby takes precious attention away from children, leaving them vulnerable to a number of dangerous situations. That’s why a mother of two created Parking Pal. Parking Pal is a great aid in […]
[Continue reading...]Summer Learning with The Lorax
August 3, 2013 1 Comment
Weekly Trip to the Library: The Lorax by Dr. Suess Over 40-years ago Dr. Seuss published The Lorax . In his search to find a real Truffula Tree a boy must find the Lorax who is a forest guardian who speaks for the trees and protects the forest. The Lorax tries to save the environment […]
[Continue reading...]1, 2, 3 Peanut Butter Cookies
August 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
Easiest Cookie Recipe Ever The International Nanny Association (INA) published a great cookbook in 2000 entitled, Beyond Peanut Butter and Jelly. The cookbook includes recipes to make with kids, crafts, creative holiday parties, and birthday theme parties. The cookbook has my favorite cookie recipe ever that I have made many dozens of times over the years. The peanut […]
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