After years of experience, a nanny may develop a favorite brand of bottles or model of car seat that she feels is superior to others she’s tried. But since a nanny works in her employer’s home, she’s typically limited to using the items and gear that the parents have already selected. While many nanny employers are open and appreciate the suggestions of their nannies when it comes to purchasing items, gear and supplies, often times a nanny enters the picture too late, after all the shopping has … [Read more...]
Children Sleeping in Car – 10 Tips How to Keep them Awake!
November 8, 2012 by
Keeping your small child on a reliable sleep schedule is challenging enough without any additional complicating factors thrown into the mix. While some parents swear by the power of a long drive to send a child straight to dreamland, others refuse to let their children sleep in the car because they don’t transition well from the car to their bed. A short spin can lull a toddler into sleeping for a few minutes, but also result in him refusing to nap later in the day, or completely not sleep … [Read more...]
“Latch Key Kid”, is your child old enough for this?
October 17, 2012 by
How do you know if your kids are old enough or responsible enough to stay home alone? With more and more households becoming two income households, the number of latchkey kids, or kids who are left home alone for a part of each day, is also steadily growing. According to NBC’s Today Show there are over 3 million children who are latch key kids today. But before you decide to let your own child be a latch key kid, it’s important to evaluate if your child is ready for that … [Read more...]
Childcare, Five Significant and Common Car seat Mistakes
September 27, 2012 by
In September 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the findings of its National Child Restraint Use Special Study, a national survey of child restraint system use in children from birth to age 8. The study revealed five significant and common car seat mistakes. These included: 1. Using the wrong harness slot. When it comes to car seat harnesses, best practice dictates that in rear-facing seats the slots at or below the child’s shoulders should be used. For … [Read more...]
Working Moms face 9 Challenges – a Nanny can help!
August 31, 2012 by
Juggling the demands of a career and a family is a difficult task, even for the most driven and accomplished women. Both demand the majority of a woman’s time and resources, leaving her to balance these two aspects of her life very carefully, with almost no time left for herself. If you’re returning to the workplace after the birth of a child, or even after a long absence from your career while your children were very small, there are areas in which a nanny can offer assistance that you will not … [Read more...]
Infant Care – HOW TO Ease Teething without Medication
August 30, 2012 by
Teething is a necessary, albeit painful, rite of passage for your baby. Sprouting her new teeth is hard work, and can leave her irritable, feverish and with difficulty sleeping as those teeth cut through her delicate little gums and break the surface. Because so many parents today are hesitant to use any over-the-counter medications unless they’re absolutely necessary, there’s quite an interest in more natural, chemical-free ways of soothing the screams and the pain that accompany … [Read more...]
PARENTS, How to Save Money by Making Your Own Mixes in Bulk
August 29, 2012 by
Nearly everyone accepts a little help from the store when it comes to seasoning mixes, baking mixes and even cake mixes. Take a look at the ingredients of those mixes. Many times they are full of salt and other preservatives that are just not all that good for you and your family. To avoid getting all of the bad stuff, but still having these convenient mixes, you can make your own. Since you are doing the work you are also saving money over buying the mixes from the store. Check out some of … [Read more...]
PARENTS, 6 Key Components of a Nanny’s Annual Review
August 28, 2012 by
6 Key Components of a Nanny’s Annual Review For nannies and their employers, an annual review can be a nerve-wracking experience. While private, in-home childcare providers who have been with their employers for an extended period of time may be less nervous when the time for the review rolls around, it’s almost impossible for either party to feel completely comfortable with the process. Parents that are approaching their first-ever annual review with their very first nanny may find that … [Read more...]
KIDS, 10 CHALLENGES for NANNIES that could be OLYMPIC EVENTS
August 23, 2012 by
The Olympics are a true testament to commitment, strength, determination, and an unwavering belief that you can succeed regardless as to if the odds are stacked against you or not. Nannies, you may not be on the worldwide stage, but you still show your Olympic spirit every day. 1. Putting a Sleeping Baby Down Without Waking Her This feat requires a delicate balance of strength, stealth, controlled breathing, and sheer good luck. You’ve practiced it a thousand times but you wonder if … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Spark the Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Child
August 15, 2012 by
The world is filled with entrepreneurs, and it’s a good thing too! After all, where would we be without things like Velcro and disposable diapers? According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, of the over half a million requests for patents that were filed in 2010, over 244,000 were issued. Because entrepreneurs are how we continue to invent new products and services, it’s important to help create an environment that encourages our children to carry on in the same … [Read more...]
PARENTS, Steps Nannies Can Take To Prevent Common Childhood Injuries
August 14, 2012 by
While minor injuries are a largely unavoidable part of an active childhood, one of the most important aspects of a nanny’s job is to keep her charges safe and healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than nine million children between infancy and 19 years of age are seen in emergency rooms across the United States each year, and that the leading cause of death among this demographic is injury. While the vast majority of the injuries that you tend to will … [Read more...]
PARENTS, tips on Head Lice: Symptoms and Treatments
August 13, 2012 by
Head Lice: Symptoms and Treatments Few things strike fear into a parent’s heart like the dreaded letter from school or daycare stating that there has been a reported case of head lice. The frantic combing of hair, checking of scalps, and stripping of beds is enough to drive even the most level-headed parent into a small-scale panic, but there’s no need for excessive worry. Treatment is fairly simple, and almost always effective, provided that you recognize symptoms early and follow treatment … [Read more...]
Parents ask ‘Should I Let My Nanny Drive My Kids Around?’
August 10, 2012 by
When it comes to having someone else transport their children from place to place in a vehicle, many parents have justifiable apprehensions. But as is the case with many personal decisions, when it comes to allowing your nanny to transport your children, there isn’t one answer that’s right for everyone. As with most every choice, there will be pros and cons to your decision. When you allow your nanny to transport your children around it opens up the door to a new level of customized, … [Read more...]
Parents and caregivers – 10 Facts About Febrile Seizures
August 9, 2012 by
It is estimated that 1 in every 25 children will have a febrile seizure, according to the National Institutes of Health. For parents whose child experiences a febrile seizure, the experience can be terrifying. Many parents are surprised to learn that young children can experience a seizure as a result of a fever. Fortunately, while febrile seizures are horrifying to watch, they are typically harmless and result in no long-term health risks or complications. Parents and caregivers should … [Read more...]
