Time Management March 22, 2016

I have been nannying for over 25 years now, I actually now have my own licensed nanny agency. It’s a pretty cool business to have especially because I love that I get to share my expertise of this industry with both nanny and client.

In my years of being in the childcare, a lot of parents have asked how I am able to make sure I keep my kids on schedule with all that they participate in and still manage to have the house in order, now I don’t do deep housecleaning, but its kept in order.

My secret is time management. I have to intentionally decide to time everything, and i mean everything. I actually make time for last minute tantrums, and by that I make sure I leave room for crying cause “the waffle was not the flavor they wanted” or  because ” I must wear snow boots in the 60degree weather”. It’s amazing the kind of things that can cause a 15 minute delay to you leaving the house on time for school drop off. Without time management you can be so lost and end up so frustrated.

I keep a consistent schedule of what I do from the moment I walk into the door. The routine is so consistent that the kids know exactly what to expect. Now I know it can sound redundant, but here’s the thing, Kids love routine, they yearn for it, they live for it, they act better with it. Don’t feel like you are being a boring parent or nanny if the schedule is always the same. In fact experts say that daily routines brings feelings of predictability and  security which children desperately need.

Time management is very effective not just in the cooperate world but in the home especially when dealing with children. Time management is not just effective for the children but also for you as the adult. If you are having a challenge keeping time, start by writing down your to do and estimate how long it will take to do each task/activity. If you are starting your routine, make sure you stick to it, it might be hard at first, but they will soon get on the bandwagon. Remember, Don’t quit!!!

 

SPRING BREAK IDEAS April 9, 2014

Spring break has fast approached us, and not alot of the parents will be traveling with their children. So for those who are scratching their heads on what and how to entertain their young ones, please go to www.tipjunkie.com and enjoy the ideas they have to offer.

ETIQUETTE AND NANNY CONTRACTS September 14, 2013

by guest blogger Nathan Hammons, Esq.

A nanny contract is simply an employment agreement between parents and their nanny. Many parents, and nannies, have never seen one. For that reason, a nanny contract can be intimidating.

A nanny contract, however, doesn’t need to be scary. In fact, it’s a great tool for both parents and nannies. It addresses items like pay, work schedule, and job duties, as well as other important topics such as time off, job benefits, and even driving privileges.

Because it’s such an important tool, nannies and parents should strongly consider using a nanny contract.

That said, there are good ways and bad ways of approaching nanny work agreements. Here are some useful tips.

#1 – Don’t Presume

If you’re a parent, don’t presume that your nanny has seen or used a written work agreement before. And if you’re a nanny, don’t presume that the parents have seen or used one, either.

#2 – Educate, Educate, Educate

Don’t start by giving the other person a contract to sign. Rather, say you’re interested in using a nanny contract and that you’d like them to consider it.

Next, point the parents or the nanny to an independent resource. You can find many good resources on the web by simply Googling “Nanny Contract”. Alternatively, if you’re using a nanny placement agency, ask if they could spare a few minutes to explain nanny work agreements.

#3 – Give the Other Person a Sample

After everyone’s been educated about what a nanny work agreement is and the benefits of using one, find a good sample or template agreement online. It’s usually best to use one in Microsoft Word format so that changes can be made, if needed. Give the sample to other person (the nanny or the parents), and give them a day or two to review it.

#4 – Have a Face-to-Face Meeting

Next, have a face-to-face meeting so that you can review and discuss the nanny contract. Walk through it line by line, and fill in the blanks.

If you’re unsure of something, such as whether the nanny should have driving privileges and who should pay for her car insurance, revisit the issue after you’ve had time to think about it.

#5 – Distribute a Completed Contract

The parents should next complete (i.e., fill in the blanks) the nanny contract and send it to the nanny for review and signature. The nanny should be given at least a few days to review it and consider it.

If you’re a parent, don’t give it to your nanny and say, “Sign here”. She’s a professional and should be given time to review the contract by herself, in the comfort of her own home.

#6 – Agree to Reasonable Changes

The parents and the nanny should agree to reasonable changes to the work agreement, if needed.

For example, the nanny might agree to work the Fourth of July in exchange for having Thanksgiving off. Or the parents could agree to give the nanny 5 days of paid time off, provided she notifies them at least 2 weeks before taking a vacation.

#7 – Schedule Time to Discuss the Work Agreement

After you’ve signed the nanny contract, don’t forget about it.

Rather, once or twice a year, perhaps during an annual performance review, review the nanny contract to make sure everything’s in good order. If any changes need to be made, make them by amending the nanny contract.

#8 – Raise Issues Early

If the parents or the nanny aren’t following the nanny contract, raise the issue early. Otherwise resentment will grow, and it will be harder to reach a resolution.

If you need to raise an issue, do it in a professional way, trying not to point fingers at the other person. For example, say, “Our nanny contract says this, but we’ve gotten in the habit of doing that. Let’s discuss what we should do in the future and whether the contract should be changed.”

In conclusion, don’t be intimidated by a nanny contract, and ask for help if you need it. It’s well worth it in the long run.

Nathan Hammons is an attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He’s also a father and the creator of MyNannyContract.com, a website with information about the legal issues of nanny care and a professionally written nanny contract. He can be contacted at nathan@mynannycontract.com.

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NANNY REPORT CARD March 27, 2013

It is important that you take a moment yearly to evaluate your nanny’s job performance in order to give accolades or identify areas for improvement.
The nanny report card is designed to facilitate communication between the nanny and the parent. Communication is the vane of most relationships, an effective open dialogue between the parents and the nannies will yield the greatest results in the child.

In my book “ How to Get the Best out of your Nanny” I talk about the importance on communication between a parent and a nanny. For the parents to get the best out of their nanny, they must communicate! Parents that fail to communicate end up in a soured situation that can easily leave a “dent” on the child’s behavior pattern. Children tend to feed of of our emotions, so if they feel there is tension or a negative reaction to how you treat your nanny, it will show in their behavior.

In addition the report card can be used to honor the nanny with an annual raise and or bonus based on performance and appreciation. So having a report card is a great way to allow the nanny to see how well she performs since communication is a two way act of imparting or exchanging of information I have also written a report card that a nanny can use to evaluate the parents as well. Nannies sometimes feel that there are things they can communicate that will help make the job easier and fun especially for the sake of the children.

PARENT TO NANNY QUESTIONNAIRE:

CHILDCARE:

1. Do you feel that your nanny is attentive to the child’s safety?

If not, how should she improve?

2. Do you feel that your nanny is meeting your child’s needs?

If not, what do you suggest she does to improve on meeting your child’s needs?

3.Do you feel like your nanny is attentive to your child’s hygiene?
(diaper changing, bath, nail clipping, washing children’s hands.. etc)

If not, what should she do to help improve on your child’s hygiene?

4.Do you feel like you nanny is engaged in appropriate play and activities that help in the child’s growth?

If not, what do you suggest she should do to help her engage the children?

5. Do you think that your nanny is involved in preparing healthy nutritious meals and snacks for the children?

If not, what types of meals and snacks would you like to see her give the children?

6. Do you feel like your nanny shows warmth, love and care to your children?

If not, in what way would you like her to show your children she cares?

7.Do you feel like she disciplines the children according your wishes?

8. If not, give examples of some scenarios where you feel she did not

WORK HABITS:

1.Does your nanny arrive to work on time most of the time?

If not, would you like her to improve on her punctuality?

2.Do you feel like your nanny is dependable and reliable?

3.Do you think your nanny shows professionalism?

4. Does your nanny communicate effectively to you about the welfare of your child?

If not, how should she improve?

5.Do you feel like your nanny’s personal life interferes with her job?

6.Do you feel like you can trust your nanny with confidential private family matters?

7.Does your nanny pay attention to the instructions given to her?

8.Does she show initiative and effort towards her job?

HOUSEKEEPING DUTIES

1.Do you feel like your nanny shows maintenance to your house to your satisfaction?

2.Does your nanny clean up after your children at the end of the day?

3.Does she do the laundry to your satisfaction?

4.Are the meals prepared on time?

5.Does she do the housekeeping to your satisfaction?

Areas of strengths:

Areas of improvements:

NANNY TO PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE:

1. Do your clients come home to release you on time?

2. Do your clients respect your personal life?

3. Do your clients communicate effectively?

4. Do your clients provide the materials needed to make your job easier?

5. What can they do different to make you improve your nanny skills?

6.Do you feel like your suggestions are well received?

7.If your clients work from home, do they respect your time alone with the kids?

8.Do the clients respect the schedule you have with the children?

9.If you are a live-in, do your clients respect your privacy?
10. What do you feel your clients should improve in that will make your communication better?

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THE ABC’S OF ESSENTIAL NANNY VITAMINS March 20, 2013

ATTITUDE- A great attitude goes a long way, an attitude carries an altitude of how you will proceed with your day. An attitude is contagious and as a nanny you become a role model to the children that are under your care, so a positive attitude is vital.

BELIEVE- As a nanny, you must believe in what you do. A great nanny is unable to reach her maximum potential unless she can believe in her skills.

COURAGE-its defined as a quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. Courage is a characteristic a nanny must have in order to be effective in caring for children. You cannot be afraid, or else the children pick up on it and adopt it as their own characteristic.

DETERMINATION- you must be determined to make a great impact in the children’s lives. You must be able to have the capacity to establish the right guidelines in a child’s lives.

EFFERVESCENCE- you have to portray an enthusiastic behavior towards the children you care for. Children need to know that they can be free to express themselves without being put down

FRIENDLY- a nanny that shows kindness will find it easier to relate with children. In order to build a trustworthy relationship with the children you have to prove to be friendly.

GREGARIOUS- you have to be a nanny that is sociable and willing to be in the company of other nannies.

HONEST- they say honesty is the best policy. Being able to be honest with your clients is a valuable character that no money can buy. Honesty creates an open line of communication, which is what you want

IMAGINATIVE- you have to be creative and be able to come up with ideas on how to keep the children busy and entertained that will instill both educational and developmental skills.

JOYOUS- A happy caregiver makes a happy child. A sad countenance relays insecurity towards the children, so making sure you are happy in the presence of the children is very important

KNOWLEDGEABLE- A nanny that is knowledgeable can be very valuable to the family she works for. Take time to keep yourself updated on safety concerns, health foods, e.t.c

LOVE- is what they say makes the world go round. A nanny without love is like the day without the sun. Love promotes growth in the inside and out. Children need to be loved.

MATURITY- A nanny must also prove that she can be able to psychologically respond to a circumstance or situation in an appropriate manner.

NURTURER- children need to feel nourished emotionally, so it is important for a nanny to cultivate a nurturing spirit

OPEN-MINDED- being able to be receptive to ideas in a moments notice is essential. Children love to come up with creative imaginative ideas and having a nanny that can be pliable and open-minded is ideal.

PATIENCE- Is having the ability to bear, no nanny should ever care give without the ability to bear with children’s unpredictable behaviors. This is one of the most important characteristics every nanny must have.

QUINESSENTIAL- if you can represent the most perfect or typical example of what a caretaker should be, it will definitely be of value to the children you care for. They will carry that example for the rest of their lives and will probably practice the views they have learned from you to the people around them

RESPONSIBLE- a nanny has to prove to be accountable and have the capability to make mature rational decisions.

SUBMISSIVE- a teachable spirit goes a long way. Being able to listen to your employers is valuable. Remember you are hired to enhance THEIR family values not lead yours.

TIME-MANAGEMENT- without having the ability to manage time, developing an effective schedule or routine is impossible. Children are most responsive to routine so the ability to be time conscious is a plus

UNIQUE- what positive thing or character about you makes children drawn to you? You cannot a strong effective nanny if you are looking to compare or compete with other nannies.

VIGOROUS- a nanny has to possess physical and mental strength.

WITTY- laughter is medicine to the soul. Being able to characterize humor is important to the children.

X-RAY- examine yourself daily. Are you emotionally/ mentally stable and capable in giving yourself wholly to children without losing your cool in a moment’s notice?

YIELDED- be a nanny that is willing to give yourself as required to the children needs.

ZEALOUS- You cannot be an effective nanny unless you are passionate in what you do. When you are zealous about care giving it becomes more than just a duty, it becomes a true passion.

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FIVE NANNY & PARENTING RESOLUTIONS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR CAREGIVING SKILLS March 19, 2013

ENCOURAGE MORE– be a better encourager in 2013. Nothing contributes to a child’s development than encouraging words and actions. Children are always looking to be affirmed and acknowledged in everything they do. So make it your duty to show them you care by using encouraging words.

HUG MORE– you might not be the affectionate mother or caregiver but affection has always seemed to nurture the emotional aspect of every human being in a positive way. I hardly hear of kids going bad due to lots of hugs and kisses. So in 2013, hug your children more.

TALK MORE./[+”\- find out more about your children by talking to them. I always encourage a conversation with the children I care for by asking questions about their weekend/ school. Don’t rush the conversation and don’t accept yes or no answers. You will be surprised how open they can get. Also when talking to your children, don’t shut them down or tell them how crazy that sounds. Keep the lines of Communication open with your children and using words such as ” that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard” is no way going to improve your communication.

EAT TOGETHER MORE- a family that eats together stays together, this year find time and ways to gather round a table and eat together. Something about that just seems to bring bond between you and your kids. If you are a caregiver, try doing lunches or snacks together, it’s amazing how kids feel a lot more drawn to you during these times.

EXPRESS YOURSELF MORE- Parents or caregivers, don’t shy off by telling your children you love them. As a nanny, I make sure I let my child(lol)know that I love her when I drop her off to school. Even if the morning has been hectic with temper tantrums and emotional sighs, I still let her know I love her because at the end of that day, that’s all that matters.

So parents and caregivers, sit back, relax and enjoy life…
Cheers to 2013!!! Now let’s make a positive difference in their lives.

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PLAY DOH AND IT’S DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS December 15, 2012

Play-Doh Developmental Benefits Did you know?
• Play-Doh extruders will help your child develop two-handed skills.
• Play-Doh cutters will help strengthen your child’s hand muscles.
• Play-Doh stampers will help your child develop pre-writing skills by strengthening the pincer grip.
• Play-Doh rollers will help develop your child’s hand-eye coordination.
• Cutting, squeezing, stamping and rolling PLAY-DOH compound, helps children develop fine motor skills.
• Playing with PLAY-DOH compound sparks creativity
• PLAY-DOH compound keeps toddlers busy and stretches their attention spans!
• Squeezing PLAY-DOH compound helps toddlers develop the skills they need for tying shoes and buttoning clothes.

There are various play doh activity sets sold. The play doh aisle is filled with great choices that fit your child imaginative skills.
As a nanny, I use play doh as part of my quiet time activity, it’s always amazing to see how involved the children get and how it enhances their imaginative skills.
This year, give the gift of play doh!

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FIVE SIGNS THAT EXPOSE YOUR NANNY CAREER IS ON THE ROCKS

The nanny industry can be a very unpredictable considering the fact that nannies are mostly a luxury to have in any household.
Even though a nanny is not someone that can be replaced at any moment due to sentimental values, the position is still not secure.

As a nanny you want to make sure you always have your resume updated, familiarize yourself in the nanny industry, renew your certifications and make sure you connect with other nannies In your area.

If you are a parent reading this, in my book ” How to get the best out of your nanny” , I also have a chapter that lists signs that your nanny has lost interest in her job which is a must read to help you understand your nanny better.

So here are five tell-tale signs that you should keep on your radar that indicate your nanny position might be over.

LACK COMMUNICATION-
You and your employer MUST communicate. To avoid misunderstandings and assumptions, both parties must communicate. In my first book “How to get the best pit of your nanny” I have a chapter that I have written on communication, it’s importance and how it’s affects the children and the relationship between nanny and parent. If your boss stops communicating the obvious on a consistence basis, then that is something to watch out for. Lack of small talk amongst yourselves is also a give away that something could be brewing. If you used to be invited to family dinners and parties and are no longer considered in those family get togethers, then that is also a sign. Lack of eye contact, rushed conversations and no communication on how much they appreciate you is a sign not to be ignored.

MISTRUST-
When situations seems to be taking a turn, a lot of mistrust develops between the nanny and her employer. You will begin to see things such as a change of code with the alarm or garage without warning, lack of access to computer, a sudden request of a daily log on what you do with the kids, a sudden request for every receipt, false accusations of things gone missing, locked doors to certain rooms without explanation, house key request with a phony excuse, frequent unwarranted visits by neighbors and friends and so on and so forth. Without trust there is no relationship and without relationship even a business relationship there can be no progress in your nanny career.

CHANGE OF BEHAVIOR FROM YOUR EMPLOYER-
Pay close attention to how your employer’s behavior is projected towards you. He/she was once cordial, understanding and friendly towards you, they used to greet you with a heavy smile when you came in to work every morning, they would express their gratitude and appreciation when you went home for the day and now they seem not to be happy to see you in the morning, conversations between you and them are a struggle, they now seem to show and express their disappointment on every little thing you do and they stop being appreciative. These are clear signs of behavioral change that can tell you your position as a nanny is at stake.

GRANDPARENTS HAVE NOW MOVED IN TO YOUR EMPLOYER’S HOME-
Even though this seems to have no harm, you will be shocked at how many nannies have ended up losing their positions because of grandparents. A lot of families want to save money and the coat of having a nanny can be pricey because remember it’s a luxury to have one, so lots of parents end up seeking the help of their parents so as to help cut back on nanny pay. Most of the time if the grandparents have moved in, it’s more than likely they will be taking on your position, even if it’s not full-time, your are sure to have your hours cut back so don’t ignore this sudden change.

YOUR EMPLOYERS LOST THEIR JOB-
This is usually the most obvious. If one of your employers lose their job, it becomes more than likely that the expense of having a nanny is usually the first to be cut off. Like I said earlier, a nanny is a luxury expense so without the finances it becomes impossible to compensate the nanny. This becomes very sad to the nanny and the employer. The positive side to this excuse is that the nanny is sure to still have a great reference for her next job.

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FAMILY NIGHTMARE October 29, 2012

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/29/alleged-new-york-killer-nanny-reportedly-awake-and-talking/

I have to admit, this has probably been the worst nightmare that has ever take place in the nanny industry.. I have really cried upon hearing this dreadful news.. My heart and prayers goes out to the mourning family that lost their two beautiful children in this most tragic event.. never to be forgotten…

It seems like the nanny had been facing some challenges in her life that she obviously brought to her work place and caused her do this incriminating act of murder to the children she was taking care of. There is simply no acceptable excuse for what she did. As I follow the story, it seems that the family had noticed a change in her behaviour and requested that she would see psychological help.

In my book “How to get the best out of your Nanny” I talk about “nanny characteristics for hire” I also list “tell-tale signs during a nanny interview” it is vital that you as the parent hiring to pay attention to certain behaviours during the interview and also in the course of the nanny working for you. Don’t ignore the signs!! A source in the news, says that the family the nanny worked for recommended their nanny to babysit for their friend as a side gig, but did not go forth with hiring her because they noticed that she was “grumpy”.
It’s important that the nanny you hire is psychological and mentally fit for the position, pay attention to her moods, talk to her about her life outside of work, go out for dinners once in a while and get a feel for what is really going on with her, create the atmosphere of an open relationship with you where she can feel she can talk to you about herself. These are very important, especially since she is caring for the most priced possession you will ever own.

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Are you nurturing your child’s gift?

A friend of mind and I were enjoying  a conversation on different ways of child upbringing and ways of how as a parent/caregiver can contribute to making sure you child fulfills his/her purpose.

Like I mentioned in my blog prior to this one, understanding your child’s love language is vital because in doing so you help bring out the best in your child. I also give five steps of how to successfully identify your child’s love language. Nurturing your child’s gifts are just as important.  I sometimes come across parents who impose on their children what they expect them to become, and in such instances I find there seems to be some withdrawals in the relationship between parents and children. 

As a parent/caregiver, you must allow you child to express its purpose and you as the caregiver your responsibility is to nurture it.  In my personal experience as a nanny, i take on the responsibility of exploring various classes/activities i think the child might enjoy. In this particular instance, I thought that enrolling my 3.5 year old girlie girl into a ballet class was brilliant, i mean which girl does not like ballet I thought, after all she loooveed to watch “angelina ballerina”, but to my utmost surprise, she cried and cried throughout the class, she just hated it.. I was confused and the same time sad that i had contributed to her sadness by assumption and so instead of forcing her into it, i let it go and told her whenever she is ready we would try it again, but i let her know, she didn’t have to. A lady whose child was in the same ballet class thought to advice me to just keep taking her and that she would just adjust… I thought to myself “whaaattt?, I don’t think so” Is the ballet class for me or for her.. she is big enough to decide and just because she is a girl, does NOT mean she must comply with peoples expectations, plus my responsibility is not to put her thru trauma by letting her cry each time she was going to ballet, my responsibility as her nanny is to make sure she is happy and secure.

A lot of parents want to live their lives vicariously through their children, forcing them to participate and do things they do not want to do. Your child came into this world with a purpose of its own, not to do the things that you wished that you had done or want to do.

Take time to examine what your child likes to do, It might be your child loves drums or musical instruments yet you don’t care for music, well you can’t say you are not going to invest in buying drums because you hate noise, that’s selfish.. maybe playing drums for child brings out the best out of them and maybe he/she is called to be one of the best drummers their generation has ever known, DON’T ROB your child of it’s calling because you come from a family line of doctors and yet your child chooses the path of a drummer, who is to say which occupation is better. Status is not everything, but being happy with what you are is worth more than anything. So let your child free, Identify the gift and nurture it.  I promise you, he/she will be the happiest loving child.

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