Holiday Turkey Trouble and Turkey Claus

Weekly Trip to the Library Turkey Trouble by Wendi SilvanoAs Thanksgiving approaches, Turkey fears that he will be the centerpiece of the holiday meal. Thus begins his quest for the perfect disguise so he won’t be found when the time arrives. He ties a brush on the back of his head and wears a tiny […]

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This Black Friday Remember Quality vs. Quantity

GIVE QUALITY GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON It’s Black Friday (the busiest shopping day of the year for Americans). If you are going out to shop for Black Friday deals today I urge you to remember that when gift giving quality is much more important than quantity.Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment (TRUCE) suggests that when choosing […]

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An Au Pair 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 clothes […]

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Thanksgiving Games for Nannies and Au Pairs

Wednesdays with Whitney Only one more day until Thanksgiving! Feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of keeping the entire kiddie table occupied for the day? Keep these games on hand to keep the kids busy and the parents child free. Thanksgiving Tic Tac Toe Put a holiday twist on this classic game by using mini pumpkins […]

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What to Include In Your Nanny Work Agreement

Anonymous Nanny Asks for Advice I just started a new job and I want to have a nanny contract. What should be included in the work agreement? It will be part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer. I want to make sure it is thorough and I don’t want to forget anything. […]

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Have You Ever Felt Like You Were Burning-Out at Your Job?

Anonymous Nanny Asks for Advice Anonymous Nanny Asks:This is my first live-in nanny job. Although I work for a nice family and pay me well I typically work a 70-hour week and recently the parents have started asking me to babysit on the weekends which I am supposed to have off. Since I live with […]

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5 Best Thanksgiving Games and Toys

Are You Joining Your Employers for Thanksgiving Dinner? By Farrah, Nanny, Los Angeles, CA As a live-in nanny in Los Angeles, originally from Louisiana, I celebrate Thanksgiving with my employer’s family each year. The entire extended family comes for the big dinner in which my employers absolutely refuse to let me work. They don’t allow […]

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Children’s Books for 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 […]

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Jumpin’ Activities to Promote Fitness

Nanny and Musician Shows Us How to Use Her CDs With Kids By Cindy Wilkinson, Musician and Nanny Any child who has ever had me as a teacher or heard one of my children’s CDs knows that I am a firm believer in the power of jumping! Here are some great movement activities using my […]

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Importance of Random Acts of Kindness in the Nanny/Parent Relationship

How Have You Helped the Parents Out When Not Expected? Anne Merchant Geissler, author of The Child Care Textbook explains that random acts of kindness in a nanny and parent relationship are essential in maintaining a great working relationship. Yesterday on Facebook we asked nannies what random acts of kindness their employers have shown to them. […]

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