Glitter Easter Eggs

Wednesdays with Whitney By Whitney Tang Easter’s coming up soon, and the days of endlessly decorating eggs has already begun! Why not mix it up with this sparkly, messy, and colorful alternative? This craft was inspired by the last year’s Easter issue of Parenting – it had a handful of creative Easter basket ideas as well […]

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Nanny Confessions: It’s Easy to Misinterpret Notes

Communicate Face-to-Face, Not in NotesBy Stephanie Felzenberg, Nanny and Editor of Be the Best Nanny Newsletter Nannies are encouraged to record what happens during their work day in a daily log. But, if nannies don’t choose their words wisely their written comments can be misinterpreted as judgmental, condescending, or patronizing (not the tone an employer […]

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Allow Parents to Take Control of Child Devlopment

Respecting Professional Boundaries Nannies love the children in their care but they must always remember that they are not the parents. Despite the best of intentions and years of experience nannies may have with sleep training infants and potty training toddlers, most parents want to determine how to raise their little ones. Sometimes parents are […]

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Exercise Equipment that Can be Used at Work

Sunday Product Review The hectic life of a nanny of caring for kids, driving them around, and cleaning up after them can pose a challenge to staying or becoming healthy and fit. We have previously discussed strategies to improve your health and fitting exercise into your work day. The type of exercise you use is your preference. […]

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Children’s Books for Saint Patrick’s Day

Weekly Trip to the Library St. Patrick’s Day, although not a legal holiday in the United States, is a widely recognised and celebrated holiday. It is primarily observed as a celebration of Irish and Irish American culture. Celebrations include prominent displays of the color green, feasting, copious consumption of alcohol, religious observances, and numerous parades. Here are some […]

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How to Ask Your Employers to Pay You Legally

Do Nannies Fear They Will Lose Their Jobs if they Ask Their Employers to Pay Nanny Taxes? Our Be the Best Nanny Newsletter Facebook page has been swarming with questions about nanny taxes. We have published newsletter issues and dozens of articles about the benefits of being paid legally, yet an estimated 90% of nannies don’t […]

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Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Traditional Saint Patrick’s Day Recipe You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. I typically make corned beef and cabbage, Mulligan Stew, or Shepherd’s Pie to celebrate the holiday with the kids in my care. Although the children would be satisfied with just eating a green bagel on the holiday, I want to do something a little more […]

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Follow the Leprechaun Foot Prints

Saint Patrick’s Day Fun   Here’s a fun activity the kids will love to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. All you need to do is cut out foot prints from green construction paper or spray your footprints in the snow with green water. Then hide small treasures of gold coin candy around the house or yard. Sprinkle the footprints as a trail […]

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Nanny Confessions: Bringing Up Problems to Parents

Should Nannies Offer Advice to Parents Before Being Asked for Advice? By Elizabeth Hawksworth I was speaking to a friend about how hard it is to bring up potential concerns to parents about their kids. My friend thought a child appeared to have torticollis and she was asking me if I would say anything to the parents […]

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Balancing Texting and Surfing on the Job

Respecting Professional Boundaries for Nannies and Parents It is often hard for busy parents and nannies to find time to chat in-person. Some parents can only make time to text or email their nannies on the train on the way to work or discreetly during meetings during the work day. The life of modern nannies […]

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