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How to Create a Gift Cupboard for Stress-free Gift Giving

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Erin

It’s time for the kids to go to another birthday party and, unfortunately, you haven’t bought a gift yet. There’s barely enough time to get to the party as it is and now you have to figure out how to make time for a stop at the store and figure out something to buy for the birthday child. Everyone is in a rush and stressed out. Does this situation sound familiar? All of this stress can be avoided by having a gift cupboard; here’s how to create one. Find a spot to store everything This may sound like the most difficult part, and it might be, but here are some suggestions: you can use a small linen closet, a hope chest at the end of your bed, a couple of boxes on the top shelf in your closet, under bed storage, or buy either a new or used cupboard. If you buy a used cupboard you can clean it up and paint it or stain it to match your home and it will blend right in. Buying the gifts Getting the gifts to put in the gift cupboard is a gradual process. You’ll want to get into the habit of checking the clearance area everywhere you go and watching the sale ads. After Christmas sales are also a really good time to pick up some good buys at a fraction of the normal cost. You should be on the lookout for games and toys that fall into the price range that you would normally spend for a birthday party. Maybe you find a bunch of board games on clearance, or several popular action figures. Make sure to pick up a mix of both boy gifts and girl gifts to give yourself a good variety. A few unisex gifts wouldn’t hurt, just in case you run out of one or the other. This gift cupboard doesn’t have to be just for children’s birthday parties – it can be for adults too. When you go someplace for dinner and you’d like to take a hostess gift, it needs to be in your gift cupboard so you don’t have to stress about it. Put a few bottles of wine in different varieties in there, some wine charms, coasters and other small gifts that you think your friends would like. It’s also smart to include some small gifts that you can exchange with friends and acquaintances on the spur of the moment. These come in especially handy during the holiday season. A friend may unexpectedly drop by with a small gift, and it’s nice to have something to give them in return. Another good idea is to keep a few gift cards on hand for various places around town. Stocking the gift wrap While it’s not mandatory to keep your gift wrapping stuff in this

cupboard, it might be a good idea to do so since you will be using them in conjunction with these items. Include gift bags in various sizes and colors, white tissue paper (will work with any color bag), rolls of gift wrap for different occasions, wine bottle sleeves, bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts and plenty of tape. A few small boxes might be a good idea too so that the odd shaped items can go into a box for wrapping. Accessories to go on a wrapped present or gift bag are what make people gasp in surprise and tell you how lovely the gift wrapping is. This part takes no talent or craftiness, so don’t panic if you are not crafty. Include plenty of ribbon, both regular and curling. Buy a few pine picks for the holidays. These can easily be added to the top of a gift with some tape. Wrap the ribbon around the gift and tie a simple bow. Tuck a pick or some sort of gift dangle into the bow and you are done. You will look like a rock star and it was all stress free because of your gift cupboard. Cards Someday, when you have some time on your hands between appointments or just a free day to go shopping, you can take your time and stand and read through some

greeting cards. Choose a variety of cards, such as thank you, sympathy, male birthday, female birthday, congratulations, etc. Keep these cards in your gift cupboard and you won’t have to worry if you remember someone’s birthday at the last minute or you hear about someone having a death in the family. You will be able to go to the gift cupboard and grab a card and send it on the same day without rushing to the store. Next time you are out shopping and you see a sale, keep in mind that this is how the gift cupboard starts. You can pick up two gifts instead of just one and stash the other one away for another child some other time. Happy gifting!

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10 Nanny Interview Questions About Homework

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Erin

If you have school aged children, your nanny may be a defining factor in their educational success. The National Academy of Sciences has conducted studies which have shown that children do much better in school when the household help is skilled in aiding them with homework. According to the International Nanny Association, part of the nanny’s role is to provide intellectual stimulation and language activities. When it comes to employing a nanny for school aged children, you will want one who can fulfill that role.

Consider asking some of these questions regarding homework when you interview your nanny candidates.

1. What is your educational background? – If the applicant has a good, solid education, chances are she understands the value of education and will be able to bring that experience to encourage and enlighten your children.
2. Do you have a teaching background? – Knowing whether or not the candidate has a teaching background could help you in making a hiring decision. If the applicant does have one, you may want to ask about the appeal of being a nanny over being a teacher. A teaching background may put the candidate in a better position to help your kids academically.
3. What experience do you have in helping children with homework? – Preferably, your interviewees will have had opportunities to help kids with homework. Just as in school, if you have someone who has a great education, but doesn’t have the ability to pass on information, it does little good. You want to hire someone who knows how to help kids academically.
4. What resources do you feel are important for kids to have for their studies? – The person who is going to help your children with their studies should know what resources are available and appropriate for the age level of your children.
5. What do you do when you are unable to help with a particular problem or assignment? – It’s possible that there will be situations where your nanny will not have the expertise or experience called for to help with something in particular. What you want to know is if the candidate has the ability to access the resources that can provide the necessary information. If you have a nanny who may not know how to help with a given problem or topic, but knows how to find out about it, then you have a gem.
6. Do you follow a routine? – Some nannies set up routines for their charges and others may be less structured. Your nanny’s style should fit with your expectations.
7. Give an example of a typical school day from start to finish. – This will give you a clear idea as to how the candidate plans on managing your children’s time. You will glean important information regarding how the person’s view of planning, supervision and mentoring will integrate with your own.
8. How have you handled children who don’t want to do their homework? – It can be difficult to get some kids to do their homework, and that can be frustrating for someone who is responsible for them getting it done. Being aware of how your future nanny would handle such a situation is critical when you consider potential power struggles, authority issues and discipline as it relates to the nanny and your kids.
9. Do you organize study space, and if so, how? – This question zeros in on the candidate’s knowledge of organization for optimum learning. A well organized study space is conducive to doing homework and can assist a more active child in staying focused on the task at hand.
10. Can you work with learning styles different from your own? This is a crucial question in that it identifies the candidates who are aware of the different learning styles and distinguishes those who are able to work with learning styles unlike theirs. Someone who is flexible in working with various learning styles is desirable because your children will be able to learn the material in the learning style that best suits them. This can help give them an academic edge, especially if this need is not being met in school.

Academic competition is tough and you want your children to be as prepared as possible. The nanny you hire to care for your children on a daily basis will be one of their most important teachers. It is critical that you employ one who understands the value of a good education, both in school and at home, and knows how to make learning enjoyable.

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10 Ways Nannies Can Increase Their Marketability

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Erin

Today’s nanny job market is extremely competitive, and the nannies that are the most marketable are the ones that typically get the interview and ultimately the job. Here are some ideas for improving your marketability to help you get a leg up on the competition:

1. Polish your resume. Your resume is the first thing agencies and families will see when considering you for a position. Invest time into making it a standout introduction. Make sure it’s free of any spelling or grammatical errors, that the formatting is uniform and appealing, and that all contact information is correct and up-to-date.
2. Get additional training. More and more families these days are looking for nannies that are well trained in a variety of childcare and professional development topics. You don’t have to go back to school and earn your degree to take advantage of this new trend. There are plenty of high quality training opportunities online and in your local community.
3. Learn a specialized skill. Parents are tailoring their job descriptions to fit their unique needs, and this often means they’re looking for a nanny with a specific skill set. Lots of parents these days are searching for nannies that have strong cooking skills that include how to make healthy food choices, ways to entice picky eaters to try new foods, and the ability to prepare tasty family meals. Other parents are looking for nannies that have a strong academic background and can help their school age child learn effective study and time management skills and offer them one-on-one tutoring. By learning a specialized skill, like cooking or tutoring, you can make yourself much more marketable to families wanting help in those areas.
4. Improve your interviewing skills. What you have to offer is important. How you present what you have to offer is equally as important. Effective interviewing is a learned skill, and one that can make the difference between being considered and being hired. There are a lot of online resources that can help you learn how to present yourself in the best light, how to showcase your education, experience and skill set, and how to sell yourself to prospective employers. Like any skill, practice is the key to improvement, so role-play with a friend before heading out to the real interview.
5. Fill in any gaps in experience. The more experience you have with different age groups or specific situations, the more jobs you’ll quality for. If you lack experience with an age group you’d like to work with, consider babysitting or volunteering with that age to gain current experience. You can use the same approach to gain experience with multiplies, children with special needs, or any other special population or situation you’d like to work with.
6. Get additional reference letters. References count a lot in your nanny job search. Parents look to others to offer them insight and information about you as both a caregiver and as a person. The nanny who has several excellent references will rise to the top of the potential candidate list. When gathering references, don’t limit yourself to just past nanny employers. Contact the families you’ve regularly babysat for, volunteer supervisors, teachers, clergy
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   and others who can help parents see all the wonderful things you have to offer.

7. Stay current on childcare trends. There are new childcare related ideas being introduced on a regular basis. By staying current on new trends, research and strategies you can show parents that you’re truly committed to being a knowledgeable, professional caregiver. That’s always a big seller with parents.
8. Be more flexible. Parents often want a nanny who is flexible and willing to tailor her job description to the unique needs of the family. This could mean a nanny who’s able to work a variable schedule, someone who can travel with them on vacation, or a childcare provider who’s also willing to do the family’s laundry or run errands. The more open you are to a flexible schedule, non-traditional responsibilities, or pitching in where needed, the more sought after you’ll be.
9. Learn a foreign language. In today’s world it’s a huge advantage to be able to speak multiple languages. Parents recognize that hiring a nanny that can teach their child a second or even third language will give them an academic and professional advantage as adults. Think about investing in an online, in-person or self-study class to boost your language skills.
10. Keep a positive attitude. Like all other things in life, having a positive attitude will carry you quite a ways in your job search. It can be hard to stay positive while you’re in the middle of a long job search but do what’s necessary to avoid job search burn-out. Each new family you connect with is potentially offering you your next great job, so focus on the opportunities rather than the challenges.

Although today’s nanny job market is very competitive, proactive nannies can do a lot to make themselves more marketable and land the job of their dreams.

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10 Ways to Stop a Child from Cursing

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Erin

When a four-letter word falls out of your child’s mouth, figuring out how to stop the behavior before it becomes a habit is likely to be your first priority. And while you may not want to admit that day will ever come, unless your home happens to be a particularly sheltered one, chances are very good that the situation will one day arise. Small children often experiment with new words without realizing the social implications, while older kids can choose to assert their independence and rebellion against parental authority with profanity. These 10 tips can help you get a handle on swearing before foul language becomes a permanent part of your child’s vernacular.

1. Be Prepared – Whether there’s a relative or family friend with a notoriously rough tongue, or colorful invective is picked up from television and other entertainment, most small children will let at least one or two choice words fly at some point during their early years. It’s important to make the best possible effort not to be overtly shocked, and to avoid beating yourself up for your inability to shield your child from words he shouldn’t hear.
2. Stay Calm – Regardless of how shocked you may be when your child swears, it’s important that you try to remain calm and avoid panicking. Little ones and older children alike will see that using strong
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   language gets a strong reaction from you, and may continue to do so as a result.

3. Nip Swearing in the Bud – While some parenting philosophies recommend that foul language be ignored altogether in hopes that kids will lose interest and to avoid inadvertently rewarding the behavior by showing a reaction, it may not be the best choice for your family. In many cases, it’s better to approach the problem head-on by quickly but calmly letting a child know that his bad language will not be tolerated.
4. Don’t Reward the Behavior – Hearing your barely-verbal toddler curse out loud can be such a surprising incongruity that your knee-jerk reaction is simply to laugh, even if you’re aghast at his choice of expression. Keep in mind, however, that laughing at a toddler’s behavior is a surefire way to get him to continue it, and avoid rewarding his bad language with what he sees as a positive response. At such a young age, he may not even realize that certain words are taboo; he may just continue to repeat them because you nervously chuckled the first time you heard him use them.
5. Explain the Concept of “Bad Words” to Small Children – When little ones hear new words, their inquisitive nature and desire to explore often leads them to use them, and they may not even understand that there are certain words they shouldn’t say. Explaining that there are “bad words,” and that they shouldn’t be used, can help him to understand that certain words are against the rules.
6. Institute a Penalty Policy – Should colorful language become a habit, instituting a penalty policy may be the most effective anti-cursing measure you can take. Whether it’s a swear jar or loss of privileges with each vulgar word, being forced to comply with the policy by losing something can be one of the only ways to stop foul language once it’s taken root.
7. Keep an Eye on Entertainment – If you never swear and you’re reasonably certain your child hasn’t picked up the habit of profanity from a friend or family member, take the time to review his favorite songs and television shows. Cartoons can be a notorious source of questionable language, as many of the offerings that come on later at night on dedicated networks are actually geared towards adults.
8. Find the Root – If your older child is cursing fluently and
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   refuses to stop, it’s wise to examine the root of this behavior in order to determine the best way to eliminate it. Whether it’s an attempt to fit in with their peers or a means of dealing with a larger issue, figuring out why your tween or teen is using profane language is the best way to bring it to an end.

9. Make Sure Discipline is Age-Appropriate – Swear jars may not be effective for younger kids that don’t get an allowance or understand the concept of money, while a time-out will only bring a sneer to an unruly teen’s face. Make sure that your approach to disciplining a kid who’s favoring foul language is tailored to his personality and his age.
10. Practice What You Preach – While you certainly can explain to small children that foul language can be used by adults in moments of provocation but isn’t appropriate for youngsters, the double standard isn’t likely to fly with any age group. Small children are great mimics, and teens are more likely to accuse you of hypocrisy if you curse to get your point across. Instead, make every effort to curb any foul-mouthed tendencies you may have, and model profanity-free behavior.

Once established, the habit of cursing to get a point across can be a difficult one for a child or teen to break. It’s often hard work, and can require vigilant attention for a time. It’s important for you to remember that this propensity for vulgar language isn’t necessarily a reflection of your parenting skills, so you should avoid blaming yourself for the problem.

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10 Signs Your Nanny Needs a Vacation

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Erin

Everyone needs a vacation from time to time, including your nanny. When the chipper, eager girl you hired starts to become an irritable, withdrawn employee that has little interest in her job, it’s possible that her suddenly declining performance is a direct result of impending burnout. While making alternate childcare arrangements can be an inconvenience, it’s a much better solution than managing the hiring and training process that would accompany your current, beloved nanny’s departure. These 10 signs might indicate that it’s time to suggest that your nanny take some of her paid vacation time, and enjoy a break from the rigors of childcare.

1. Lowered Enthusiasm – If your nanny began her post as an enthusiastic, engaged caregiver that looked forward to activities with your children and now seems somewhat apathetic, not showing an interest in activities or planning outings, she may be struggling with depression resulting from burnout.
2. Less Patience – A burnt-out nanny’s patience is usually quite thin, and is often accompanied by a much shorter temper than was characteristic of her when she first began working for you. If your nanny seems to have a dramatically
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3. Changes in Mood or Behavior – Any significant changes in mood or behavior are red flags that all is not well with your nanny emotionally. Paying close attention to any changes in demeanor can help you gauge where your nanny stands and whether or not she needs to get away for a short break.
4. Decreased Energy – One of the leading causes of burnout is simple exhaustion, something that’s easy for your nanny to feel when she’s under the constant pressure of managing a household and caring for children that are not her own. A once-energetic nanny that’s now lethargic or seems to be constantly tired may need permission to take a few of her vacation days.
5. Her Workload Has Increased Significantly – If you’ve recently had another child or have allowed job creep to bog down your nanny’s workday with chores that aren’t related to childcare, it’s a good idea to let her take a paid vacation at your earliest convenience to make up for the increase in workload.
6. Frequent Illnesses – Nannies that seem to be frequently ill or are increasingly feeling a bit under the weather almost certainly need to take a short break in order to rebuild their stamina and peace of mind. Keep in mind that a nanny who feels poorly may not be as attentive as she could be, especially if her illnesses are connected to depression resulting from job burnout.
7. Less Attention to Detail – When your nanny begins paying less attention to small details and starts regarding certain aspects of her job with apathy, it’s a sure sign that she’s beginning to burn out and needs a brief escape.
8. Attendance Problems – Burnt out nannies may be late more frequently than normal, call out more than they ordinarily would, or exhibit some questionable attendance. If your nanny has always been dependable and is just beginning to show signs of attendance trouble, it could be a sign that she simply needs a break.
9. Procrastination and Poor Performance – Putting off tasks, shirking responsibilities and generally performing poorly are all grounds for termination in most cases, but they’re also things you should carefully consider when it’s completely out of character for your nanny. Dramatic changes in behavior are often indicators of depression, and could very well signal a deep need for vacation time.
10. She Seems Overly Emotional – A nanny who bursts into tears when she’s questioned or is easily upset may just be more emotional than is normal for her because she’s stressed, exhausted and overworked. In most cases, a short vacation will do wonders for her mood and performance when she returns.

While it’s a popular practice to take nannies on family vacations to provide childcare, it’s important to remember that your vacation is not her vacation. She’s still working, often under more stressful conditions than she’s accustomed to because your kids’ routine is disrupted. Regardless of how much money you contribute while your nanny’s on vacation with you, if you expect her to care for your children while you’re traveling it’s important to remember she is working and is still entitled to her own vacation later, provided that vacation is part of her benefits package as agreed upon in the nanny contract.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Nanny Job

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Erin

Whether a nanny is looking for employment through an agency, word of mouth or online recruiting site like enannysource.com, having a well-drafted cover letter will start formal communications with a potential placement agency or employer off on the right foot. So how do you write a cover letter for a nanny job?

• Include the proper contact information or yourself and your letter recipient. Each time you send your letter out, whether through snail mail or email, you’ll want to personalize it to include the recipients’ proper contact information and salutation. If you’re responding to an online classified, you may wish to only include your email address and phone number. For electronic communications, include as much or as little contact
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• Make reference to the position for which you are applying. If you’re responding to an advertisement, mention the post ID number or reference number. If someone referred you to an agency or potential employer, include that information. The bottom line is
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  that you want to identify what position you are seeking and how you learned of it. If you’re writing to an agency, you’ll want to be clear you’re seeking representation for a live-in or live-out nanny position and in what area.

• Clearly articulate why you want to work as a nanny. Agency representatives and employers want to know why you want to be a nanny and if you’re applying for a specific position, why you want that job. Clearly articulate what motivates you to seek employment as a nanny and what type of nanny position you are searching for. If you’ve been working as a nanny for the last several years and enjoy partnering with parents in raising their children, be sure to share that.
• Sell yourself strong. What makes you the right person for the job? You’ll want to highlight your work experience, education, training, special skills and professional affiliations in your cover letter. When selling yourself, consider what separates you from others applying for the same position. If you’re applying for a position with multiples and you have
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  experience caring for twins, you’ll want to state that your experience in caring for twins has prepared you to meet the individual needs of each child while ensuring that the stay on the same schedule and routine.

• Ask for an interview request. Before closing out your letter, you’ll want to request the opportunity to learn more about the position and to evaluate the possibility of working together. Provide the best way to contact you and thank the reader for their consideration. Be sure your email address is professional sounding. If you’re currently using something like Teddybears4me@mailserver.com, you
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  may wish to create a separate account for job search correspondence.

• Make reference to your resume and references. Indicate that you’ve enclosed your resume and reference information with the cover letter. If you prefer, you may replace reference information with a statement that says your references are available upon request.

Before sending your cover letter you’ll want to be sure it is in proper letter format and that your letter has been checked for spelling and grammar errors. Having a friend or family member proofread your letter is always a good idea. Oftentimes a cover letter is your chance to make a solid first impression. Take time to carve out a one page letter that presents you as the professional you are.

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9 Ways to Welcome Your New Live-In Nanny into Your Home

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Erin

Congratulations, you’ve hired a new nanny! Beginning to work with a new nanny is an exciting time, and welcoming her into your home, especially if she’s a live-in nanny, is an important step in developing a good nanny / family relationship. Here are some simple ways to make your new live-in nanny comfortable in her new home and job.

1. Let her make simple decorating choices for her living space. Allowing your nanny to paint the walls a fresh color, add new curtains, or rearrange the furniture gives her the opportunity to personalize the room. Being comfortable in her own space is essential and will help her feel like she lives there rather than feel like she’s simply a long-term guest.
2. Give her a gift certificate to a home store. Everyone has different tastes and the comforter that you love could be something that doesn’t quite suit your nanny’s style. A gift certificate lets her pick out something she’s going to love coming home to every night. A new sheet set, a funky lamp or a foot friendly rug can make a big difference. Doing so also shows that you recognize this is new for her and that you want her to feel right at home.
3. Order a visitor packet from the local tourist department. There’s a good chance your new live-in is also new to the area. Tapping into the resources your city makes available to visitors is a free and easy way to introduce her to all that your state, city and neighborhood have to offer. If your city has a user-friendly public transportation system, have maps and schedules for the local lines mailed to you and add them to the visitors package.
4. Introduce her to other local nannies. It can be hard to make new friends as a nanny in a new area. It’s an isolating job and your nanny doesn’t have the advantage of meeting co-workers on her first day. Ask other nannies you know if they’d be willing to give your new nanny a call and maybe even invite her out to dinner during her first week there. They may not become best friends but it will help your nanny start to build a new social circle.
5. Give her an area coupon book. These coupon books usually offer 2 for 1 or 50% off deals to local restaurants, movie theaters, museums, fairs, stores and lots of other attractions. They often list both popular and out of the way venues so your nanny will discover a wide variety of things to do and see. Having the coupons will make getting out and about more affordable and give her a great reason to ask new friends to join her.
6. Have a welcome family dinner. Even if your nanny won’t be ordinarily eating with your family, invite her to share in a family meal so you can get to know each other personally a little better before jumping into your employment relationship. Living together means your lives will intersect in unique ways so developing a connection will help everyone feel more comfortable.
7. Give her a tour of the places she’ll need to know for the job. There’s a good chance your new nanny isn’t familiar with your area. It’ll be helpful to her if you take a morning or afternoon to give her a tour of your child’s favorite playgrounds, the YMCA where he takes swimming lessons, the school, the grocery store and other places she’ll likely need to find in her first days. Of course she won’t remember the addresses or probably even how to get there right away, but being even a little
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   familiar with things will make it all seem a little less overwhelming.

8. Small gifts mean a lot. Placing a vase of fresh flowers on her nightstand or helping your child make a welcome card for her will show her that you’re excited she’s there. It’s a little scary moving into a family’s home, simply because a nanny never really knows what to expect. Taking the time to offer a special welcome gift can ease a lot of fears.
9. Remind her that she’s welcome to use the house as her own. The beginning days of living with a family can be uncomfortable. She’s your employee, yet she’s also living in your home. Offering a simple invitation to add what she wants to the grocery list or watch TV in the family room can make her feel more comfortable and help her settle into her new home.

Bringing a new nanny into your home is an exciting time. By taking the time to do a few special things, you can let her know how glad you are that she’s there.

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10 Ways Nannies Can Prepare for Emergencies

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Erin

The last thing that any nanny wants to face while she’s on duty is an emergency, whether its a medical one, the result of a natural disaster or an accident. The prospect of being unprepared for such an event due to a reluctance to think about their probability, however, is even more terrifying. Because the safety and health of your charges is in your hands, along with their parents’ trust and peace of mind, it’s imperative that you prepare for any conceivable emergency. Here are ten of the steps

that you simply can’t overlook, in the interest of protecting the children in your care, should disaster strike.

1. Familiarize Yourself With Emergency Contact Information – Whether an emergency is a major one or of the less catastrophic variety, you’ll need to know exactly who should be contacted in any situation and how to best get in touch with them. A list of emergency contacts, including the numbers for local police and Poison Control, is the best way to prevent desperate scrambling for phone numbers in a high-pressure situation.
2. Know Where Fire Extinguishers Are Located – Cooking isn’t the only fire risk in the average house, so you’ll need to know exactly where fire extinguishers are located around your employers’ home and how to properly operate them in the event of a fire.
3. Get Educated About Allergy Management – Kids with food allergies can have severe and even life-threatening reactions to some foods and additives, so it’s important to know not only how to prevent exposure to known allergens but also what to do should that exposure occur anyway.
4. Have an Inclement Weather and Natural Disaster Plan – When bad weather strikes, it can be a mere inconvenience or an all-out emergency situation. Knowing the evacuation plan of the household, meeting places where you can find your employers should they be unreachable by phone, and how to manage basic survival with your charges under your care is essential.
5. Keep a First Aid Kit On Hand – Some injury emergencies require an ambulance, but most will require a bandage, some antibiotic ointment and plenty of love. Whichever type you encounter, however, it’s absolutely imperative that you be prepared to handle it.
6. Make Sure CPR and First Aid Certifications Are Up-to-Date – Choking-related injuries and deaths are far more common than most parents and even childcare providers realize, so it’s absolutely necessary that you keep your CPR and other life-saving maneuver training current. These skills can get rusty and details can be forgotten when they go unused and untested for long periods of time, so be sure to retake classes regularly.
7. Get a Letter of Consent for Medical Treatment – Should a medical emergency occur at a time when your employers are out of reach, an injured or ill charge could be delayed in receiving the treatment that she needs unless you have a signed letter of consent from your employers stating that you are authorized to give consent for treatment. It’s a good idea to keep a letter on file at the child’s pediatrician’s office as well.
8. Learn to Arm and Disarm Home Security Systems – You’ll need to know how to disarm a system to avoid sending false alarms to law enforcement and emergency personnel, but you’ll also need to know how to arm it and how to send legitimate alerts in the event of them becoming necessary.
9. Teach Kids Basic Emergency Preparedness – Your level
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   of preparedness will matter very little if the children you’re caring for have no idea how to respond or behave during an emergency situation. In addition to ensuring that they’ll have this knowledge, training them in basic emergency preparedness will also give them the essential skills that they’ll need in the event of an emergency when you or your employers aren’t within reach.

10. Have Insurance Information On Hand – Even if you have a letter of consent to treatment from your employer, your charges could still experience treatment delays if you don’t have access to their insurance information. Be sure that you discuss the subject with your employer to determine exactly what you’ll need, should you have to take the children to the doctor’s office or hospital.

It’s almost impossible to be prepared for every possible situation, but making the effort to cover as many bases as possible could make all the difference, should an emergency arise. Discuss your preparedness plan with your employers and work together to draft a cohesive plan so that everyone is well-informed and on the same page.

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Discussing Safety Concerns with Your Nanny Employer

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Erin

No nanny enjoys having to discuss tough topics with her employer. However, whether it’s discussing the dangers of their toddler riding in a booster seat (even if it’s “just on the weekends”) to reminding them of the inherent risk that comes along with learning to ride a bicycle (never mind without wearing a helmet), nannies are often forced to confront their bosses with safety concerns. For nannies there is a fine line between being a child’s advocate and being subordinate to her employers. Every nanny has a personal safety line that she simply isn’t willing to cross, regardless of who instructs her to do so. When something her employer does approaches that line, intentionally or not, it’s enough to send a shudder down any nanny’s spine. While addressing the issue directly in

a professional manner is typically the most clear cut way to bring up an issue, for some nannies that type of voluntary confrontation is just too much. For others, they’re well aware that their employer best receives and processes information when seeing it, so they know that sending an email or leaving out literature is the most effective way to bring up tough topics. So

besides simply putting her concerns out there, how can a nanny respectfully broach safety concerns with her boss without coming across as judgmental or insulting? 1. Ask a question. “Oh, does that harness look right to you?” “Have you heard that they recently changed the recommendations on rear-facing seats?” “Did the pediatrician mention anything about giving cough medication to children under two?” “Do you think we should ask the doctor about that?” Asking a question opens the door to discussion. “You know, now that I’ve asked you that I recall reading that the harness should be at or below a child’s shoulders when rear-facing. Let me check the seat manual.” 2. Make a mention. Casually bringing up a topic in discussion is another way to open the door to conversation and request that action be taken. “I saw on the news this morning that a child fell out of a second story window and died. Now is probably a good time to add window guards upstairs.” “I got an alert that drop-side cribs were recalled. I’ll check to see if ours was part of the recall.” “A nanny friend mentioned that her charge was injured when riding her bike barefoot. We should definitely make sure Susie always has her sneakers on when riding.” 3. Send an email link. For employers who are used to receiving important messages digitally, sending an email may be an effective way to bring up a safety concern. “Hey, I came across this video that showed how infants should look when fastened into the car seats properly. Check out the chest clips.” “Did you see the new recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics on treating fevers? See attached.” “Wow, one child dies every week during the summer months in a kiddie pool. Don’t we have that one in the video? We should be extra cautious, for sure.” 4. Leave out literature. Leave a copy of your favorite magazine article or medical study that addresses the topic you want to bring up out and open to the page. Write on a sticky note, “Interesting read” and place it on the page. Follow up the next day by asking if she had a chance to read it. 5. Be a role model. Let the parents see you taking proper safety precautions and hear you talking through why you have specific rules or do things a specific way. Upholding the highest safety standards naturally lends itself to employers comparing the way you both do certain things. While nannies should never put the children in a position to communicate safety messages to their parents, they should be prepared for that to happen. If you have an outspoken youngster, chances are she’s going to tell her parents her car seat buckle isn’t tight enough or that her nanny says, “We always have to wear our helmets when riding our bicycle.” In an ideal world, nannies and parents would feel comfortable freely offering constructive criticism to each other, but in reality that’s simply not the case. Parents and nannies should strive to have open and honest communication and to discuss any issues or concerns as they come up. For those who get weak in the knees at the thought of having to confront an employer, utilizing a communication technique to bring up the topic allows them to get the job done in a non confrontational way.

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10 Things Nannies Should Do Every Year to Be Proactive In Their Careers

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Erin

No nanny wants a job to end on short notice, however sometimes nothing can be done to prevent it from happening. In addition to having to quickly wind down emotionally from a position, jobs that end abruptly can leave a nanny strapped for cash. Whether you’re a seasoned nanny or just starting out in the field, there are 10 things you can do each year to help keep your nanny career on track.

1. Update your resume. When the time comes and you need to update to your resume, gathering all of the necessary information can be a huge hassle. Keeping your resume current can save you tons of time and energy, plus when you do it’s readily available in a moment’s notice.
2. Get a new photo. Most agencies and online nanny recruiting cites encourage, if not require, nanny candidates to have a headshot to include in the information they present to families. Have a friend take a photo of you outdoors (the natural background will not only look nice – it won’t be distracting) or invest in a professional headshot from a portrait photographer. Presenting yourself as a polished professional can make a real difference in the job search.
3. Update your CPR and first aid training. While your formal certification may not expire every year, it’s a good idea to take an annual review course online or in-person. If you received an instruction book when you took the class, reviewing that is a good idea too.
4. Ask for a written review. An annual performance review is
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   in most nanny positions. Asking for a written evaluation to accompany an annual review is a good policy. Not only are you able to document your job performance, should a job end on a sour note or the

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5. Get a flu vaccine. While certainly not required by all employers, some will request that you get a seasonal flu vaccine to protect yourself and the children from the season’s anticipated strain. While you’ll need to decide for yourself if you’ll get one, The Center for Disease control recommends that caregivers of children aged younger than 5 years get a seasonal flu vaccine.
6. Continuing education. Whether you attend a nanny conference, enroll in continuing education courses at your local community college, or take an on-line child development course, staying current on childcare trends and best practices is essential for every nanny.
7. Send a holiday card to former families. You never know when you’ll need to call on a former family as a reference or be in the area and want to stop by to say hello. Sending an annual
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   holiday card is a great way to keep in touch with families that you worked with several years ago and don’t regularly keep in contact with. Even if they don’t remember much about your time together, they’ll surely be able to tell whoever calls for a reference that you faithfully send a card each year.

8. Reach out to your placement agency. If you secured your position through a placement agency, it’s always a good gesture to send a note and update them on your status. Even a simple “three years later, I’m still here and loving my job – thanks again for the referral” keeps you at the forefront of an agents’ mind, should the need arise for you to utilize their services again.
9. Get a TB test. Most agencies and families require their nannies to be in good health and, as such, require a TB test prior to placement. Since young children are at a high risk of contracting tuberculosis if they are exposed to the bacteria that causes it, child care workers are typically encouraged to be tested every one to two years.
10. Check the IRS mileage reimbursement rate. If you are using your vehicle to transport the children in your care, you should be reimbursed for the travel you do while on duty. The IRS mileage reimbursement rate is updated each year and reflects the standard business reimbursement rate per mile.

Being proactive can lessen any downtime should you find yourself out of job and in search of a new one. Prepared nannies who are ready to tackle a job search as soon as necessary can increase their employment options as they are able to start their job search sooner.

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