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10 Advantages to Being an On-Call or Temporary Nanny

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Erin

Working in the nanny industry doesn’t necessarily require long, demanding hours and a full work week. Many agencies contract with nannies on a strictly on-call, as-needed basis. There are many reasons why this arrangement can be ideal for some nannies. Here are ten of the biggest advantages to working as a part-time, on-call or temporary nanny.

1. Flexible Scheduling – Nannies who have families of their own may find it impossible to work as a full-time nanny. With a temporary or on-call arrangement, scheduling is much more flexible.
2. Supplemental Income – Sporadic on-call or limited temporary work may not be a feasible arrangement for nannies whose financial needs demand a full-time income, but it’s often perfect for generating supplemental income. Experienced nannies who now spend the majority of their time as a stay-at-home parent may also welcome the break in routine that comes with working as an occasional nanny.
3. Job Variety – With temporary and on-call nannies, caregivers have the opportunity to form relationships with new families on a regular basis and are able to enjoy an exciting career filled with a wide variety of new experiences.
4. Reduced Risk of Burn Out
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   – Burn out is a very real concern for full-time nannies. Temporary and on-call nannies may have less demanding responsibilities than their live-in, full-time counterparts, thus reducing the risk of burning out dramatically. Nannies that feel they may be in danger of burning out also have the option of declining new posts to regain their energy and enthusiasm.

5. Setting Your Own Availability – Contracting through a nanny agency or even working as a temporary nanny on your own allows you to create an availability schedule for yourself. For example on-call nannies who have a relationship with an agency and are only available on weekday mornings will not be matched with a family who needs a temporary caregiver for weekend evenings.
6. Working While Continuing Your Education – The rigors and demands of working as a full-time childcare provider can make it difficult or even impossible for students to complete their education. Working as a temporary nanny during summer breaks, or limiting your availability to on-call shifts during certain periods allows you to pursue a degree while earning much-needed spending money.
7. Transitioning to Semi-Retirement – No one can work forever, but transitioning into retirement can be a complicated time. Reducing your availability to a strictly as-needed or temporary basis is an effective way of gradually moving into the world of retirement without giving up your long and venerable nanny career altogether.
8. Providing a Valuable Service to Families in Need – Few feelings are as fulfilling or rewarding as knowing that you’ve given aid to a family in need of assistance. When families seek out an on-call or temporary nanny, they’re asking for help; answering that call provides a sense of accomplishment along with some extra cash.
9. Establishing a Track Record and References – While most agencies will require an on-call or temporary nanny to have some experience, working on an as-needed or temporary basis is a great way to establish an employment history and gather employment references for nannies whose experience may be limited.
10. Working With Children – Last but certainly not least, the biggest advantage to working as a childcare provider in any capacity, be it temporary, on-call, part-time or full-time, is the chance to work one-on-one with children. Each moment you spend with children is an opportunity to positively impact their lives.

The many advantages of working as a temporary or on-call nanny are as unique as you and the families that you’ll be working with are. Whether you choose to work through an agency or on an individual basis, as a temporary or on-call nanny you’re sure to experience plenty of adventures and excitement.

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10 Must Reads for Every Nanny

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Erin

In today’s online, search-engine dependent world, it’s easy to forget the value of a simple, old-fashioned book. Because building a career as a successful nanny requires constant education and keeping up with current childcare trends, it’s wise to invest

in a well-stocked bookshelf. Here are ten books that all nannies should add to their collections.

1. How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elain Mazlish – Three decades after its first printing, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is still a favorite among parents, educators and childcare providers. Stressing the importance of constructive communication, authors Faber and Mazlish provide clear, innovative instructions for helping kids cope with feelings of anger and frustration, express your own anger in calm, non-hurtful ways and resolve conflicts.
2. Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child : Eliminating Conflict by Establishing Clear, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries by Robert J. MacKenzie Ed.D. – At some point in every nanny’s career, she will encounter a strong-willed, difficult-to-manage child. While these charges are often the most frustrating, they can also be among the most insightful and entertaining of the bunch. The key to working with strong-willed children is learning to communicate with these children effectively and to establish firm boundaries. Through Robert MacKenzie’s beloved Setting Limits series, nannies and parents of strong-willed children can learn how to calmly and effectively regain control in their relationships with children.
3. Help: How to Find, Hire, Train & Maintain Your Household Help by Marta Perrone – At first blush, Marta Perrone’s Help: How to Find, Hire, Train & Maintain Your Household Help may seem like a volume useful only to employers of household workers, but this isn’t quite the case. Nannies can benefit greatly from this behind-the-scenes peek into the employing parent’s mind as they learn to land posts more easily and establish stronger, healthier working relationships with their employers.
4. Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish – Very few nannies will work through their career without at least one post with multiple children. When those charges are close in age, sibling rivalry is almost unavoidable. Armed with Siblings Without Rivalry, however, nannies are able to help their charges become less competitive, cooperate more and get along better. In addition to making her working hours a bit more peaceful, she’ll also be helping her charges to establish a life-long relationship with one another, free of jealousy and conflict.
5. A Perfect Child With a Perfect Nanny: By Giving Time, Love and Patience by Lolita Bryan –Penned by a nanny for nannies, Lolita Bryan’s A Perfect Child draws upon her thirty-plus years of working with children from infancy to the preschool years. Because of her specialization in infant and toddler care, Bryan offers a wealth of information for nannies with less early-childhood experience.
6. Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders by Kenneth Bock and Cameron Stauth – Authors Bock and Stauth claim that autism rates have risen by 1,500 percent in the last two decades, with the numbers of childhood ADHD, allergy and asthma sufferers rising dramatically as well. An estimated one in three children today suffers from one of these four conditions, making it more important than ever for childcare providers to have a strong knowledge of the symptoms, aggravating factors and special needs of these kids.
7. Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice by Howard E. Gardner – Great nannies know that they are far
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   more than childminders: they are also educators. With this knowledge in mind, books like Howard E. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences are veritable goldmines of information for progressive educators. Exploring the

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   concept of various types of intelligence and intellectual aptitude, Multiple Intelligences can help parents and childcare providers spot the strengths and weaknesses in individual children, encouraging growth and intellectual diversity.

8. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman – Positing that “emotional intelligence” levels are far stronger indicators of future success than traditional intelligence-quotient results, Daniel Goleman provides a strong outline for sowing the seeds of emotional intelligence in children and adults alike.
9. Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles: Winning for a Lifetime by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka – Author Mary Sheedy Kurcinka’s Kids, Parent, and Power Struggles is an invaluable resource for parents and childcare providers alike, helping adults to understand the most efficient methods of understanding the reasons behind misbehavior and enforcing effective disciplinary tactics. Kurcinka helps nannies to turn conflicts into chances to instill valuable skills and teach life lessons such as dealing with strong emotions and problem-solving ability.
10. The Everything Toddler Activities Book: Games And Projects That Entertain And Educate by Joni Levine – As a volume in the ever-popular Everything series, The Everything Toddler Activities Book helps nannies to remember that one of the most important aspects of a toddler’s day is learning through play and exploration. With ideas for games, crafts and activities that keep little ones laughing and learning, this book is sure to be a favorite.

These titles are barely the tip of the proverbial iceberg; there are thousands of books that both new nannies and seasoned veterans can glean priceless knowledge from. It’s recommended to tackle these books with a highlighter in hand to mark particularly relevant passages, making them easier to reference back to at a later date.

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7 Things to Teach Your Child to Do if They Get Lost

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Erin

Few ideas strike fear in the heart of parents as quickly and universally as the mere thought of their child becoming separated from them or getting lost. While it’s a lesson that parents fervently hope is never needed, one of the most important skills that youngsters can learn is how to properly handle a situations in which they become lost. Here are seven of the tips that you should help your child to memorize, in order to keep them as safe as possible until assistance arrives.

1. Look For a Mom with Kids– While teaching kids about “stranger danger” is important, these lessons can backfire if she’s separated from you in a public place. Fear of speaking to any and all strangers can make them hesitant to seek help; instead of instructing your child to never speak to strangers, you should make sure that they understand that police officers and rescue workers in recognizable uniforms, as well as moms with young children, are sources of assistance rather than danger.
2. In the Woods, Always Stay Put – On hiking expeditions and camping trips, kids that panic and start to frantically seek a safe place can make it even more difficult for rangers or rescue personnel to find them. Teaching your child to find an open spot on a clearly marked trail to in order to be easily found is fundamental outdoor safety.
3. Find Your Meeting Place – When visiting a shopping mall, amusement park or other high-traffic public places, you should always make a clear plan for kids to follow in the unlikely event that they are separated from you. Choosing an easy to find, central location as a designated meeting spot is advised.
4. Get to a Safe Spot – If you’ve taught your child to stay put, rather than trying to find a designated meeting place, it’s important to clarify that they should find the closest safe place. She should know that it’s okay to move out of traffic or other hazardous situations.
5. It’s Okay to Yell – Kids should know that shouting, even in libraries or other quiet places, is okay if they’re lost or even if they simply can’t see you.
6. Use Their Cell Phone, But Have a Backup Plan – While today’s kid is almost certain to have a cell phone, kids should know exactly how to use it in case of an emergency, but also understand that there are some situations in which a limited signal can render it useless. Parents should never teach their kids, or assume themselves, that cell phones are infallible; instead, instruct kids to use them first, but to also have a backup plan if it isn’t working.
7. Know Your Real Name and Phone Number – A lost child that approaches a police officer, security guard or other trusted authority figure should be able to confidently recite your first and last name, along with your phone number. Simply saying “my mommy” or “my daddy” will not provide emergency workers with the information they need to locate you.

In addition to teaching your children the proper procedures to follow if they’re lost, you should also teach them never to wander away from you in public. Older kids should be well-versed in the buddy system and other preventative measures.

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10 Good Reasons for Corporations to Contract with Nannies

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Erin

One of the fastest-growing trends in business today is to help employees secure child care. Corporate nanny contracts, in which corporations subsidize nanny care for their employees with children, are becoming more and more popular. Whether these nanny contracts are designed to meet the full-time childcare needs of working parents, or to serve as emergency backup care when regular child care falls through, here are ten of the reasons why these corporation/nanny agency relationships are proving to be very lucrative ones and helping companies attract and retain stellar employees.

1. Overtime Demands – Corporate culture in today’s world can be very demanding, requiring employees to work frequent and extensive overtime. Contracting with a nanny or nanny agency allows companies to prevent loss of productivity after traditional daycare business hours and to prevent employees from incurring expenses due to late pick-up fees.
2. School Dismissals – Inclement weather and other unforeseen events can lead to school closings, which leaves employees with school-aged children who they are unable to secure last-minute childcare for. The availability of an employer-subsidized nanny allows parents to report to work in a timely manner, and to complete their tasks without worrying about the well-being of their children.
3. Business-Related Travel – Employees who are also parents may balk at the prospect of taking a business-related trip due to concerns about the expense and feasibility of obtaining childcare. Knowing that there is a fully screened and capable nanny available through a corporate account is likely to go a long way towards soothing those misgivings.
4. Boosting Productivity – Worries about inadequate, last-minute childcare arrangements cause parents to spend more time either on the phone with a sitter or distracted from the task at hand, severely diminishing productivity. A 2002 Child Care Trends report states that 45% of employed parents miss at least one day
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   of work every six months due to childcare-related complications and that 65% are late arriving to work or leave early an average of 7.5 times per six-month period as a result of difficulties due to childcare.

5. Recruiting Incentives – On-site childcare or corporate contracts with nannies and nanny agencies are very powerful recruiting incentives for working parents, with a 1997 Simmons College study showing that 42% of working parents stated employer-subsidized childcare was an important factor in their decision to accept their current position.
6. Back-Up Care – Though there are employers that provide full-time on-site childcare for their employees, the majority of nanny contracts are designed to meet emergency, last-minute childcare needs on an as-needed basis. This allows parents to have the freedom of choosing their own childcare, with the added security of a second line of defense in the event of an unforeseen situation.
7. Reducing Training Costs – The Personnel Journal states that the full cost of turnover is more than one-and-a-half times that of a salaried worker’s annual wages. The 2002 Child Care Trends study also showed that 31% of surveyed working parents have considered leaving their place of employment due to childcare conflicts. Contracting with a nanny or nanny agency to fill the gaps left by employed parents’ current childcare plan can slash turnover rates and training costs for replacement employees.
8. Reducing Unscheduled Time Off – The availability of on-call childcare through an employer eliminates the necessity of unscheduled time off and call-outs due to breakdown in childcare plans.
9. Increasing Job Satisfaction and Employee Loyalty – A DuPont Work/Life Study shows that employees who use work/life programs such as childcare plans are among the most committed, with 45% strongly agreeing that they would “go the extra mile” for their employers, and to help their companies succeed.
10. Limiting Burn Out – The DuPont study also showed that employees who had childcare and other work/life programs available, and took advantage of them, were the least likely to report feelings of burn out or becoming overwhelmed.

Employers who help their parent employees to balance the demands of career and family are more likely to have inspired, loyal workers who enjoy a boost in productivity and a strong work ethic. Contracts with nannies and nanny agencies are an effective way of providing that assistance, making it a worthwhile investment for corporations.

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Language Development in Children: When Should You Be Concerned?

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Erin

Though every child develops at her own pace, there are times when speech is delayed enough to be a cause for parental anxiety. Even up to two years of age, vast disparities in vocabulary and consistency can be present between two children without raising a pediatrician’s concern, despite parents’ worries. There are several factors that indicate legitimately delayed speech resulting from developmental problems. While a diagnosis can only come from your pediatrician or a specialist, there are some red flags parents and nannies should be on the lookout for. When Not to Worry There are several factors that affect a child’s language and speech development. Kids that comprehend and satisfactorily respond to verbal commands and questions from an adult are generally not considered developmentally delayed based solely on being silent themselves. Temperament and premature births, chronic ear infections, being a younger sibling and even being doted on a bit too much can all have a temporarily adverse effect on a child’s language skills. Anticipating her every need and presenting food or comfort objects before she can use words to express her wants and desires, for instance, never gives a child the chance to speak for herself. As a result, she may master language and basic conversational skills a bit later than her less-coddled peers. Ear infections that persist for extended periods of time, especially during the first eighteen months of a child’s life can diminish her ability to hear during the crucial period when she is learning to process language. This can lead to minor setbacks. A child under twelve months that reacts to the sound of her own name and attempts to imitate them, even to no avail, is almost certainly on schedule from a developmental standpoint. Signs of Delay Babies under twelve months of age that lack the ability to use physical gestures, such as waving “bye-bye” or pointing at a desired object, may be exhibiting early signs of delayed language development. Similarly, eighteen-month-old children that have trouble imitating sounds, following simple verbal requests and prefer physical gestures over vocalized communication may warrant a bit of concern. By two years of age, a child who cannot be understood by parents and regular caregivers, has a markedly strange tone of voice or cannot produce words spontaneously, despite being able to mimic some simple phonetic sounds, should be evaluated by a medical professional. The best time for worried parents to begin seeking professional help is around the thirty-month mark as “late bloomers” will typically have caught up to their peers considerably by this point. Talking

to your child in a normal, clear tone of voice and reading books out loud can encourage proper speech development, especially in children that are exhibiting signs of being “late bloomers” rather than developmentally delayed. Naming objects as you use them; pointing out landmarks and explaining your child’s surroundings are also effective reinforcement techniques, provided that parents avoid cutesy language and “baby talk.” Diagnosing any potential problems as early as possible will increase the chances of improving a child’s ability to communicate with her parents and interact verbally with those around her.

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7 Reasons Never to Leave a Child Unattended in a Playpen

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Erin

A playpen can be a blessing for a harried parent or nanny, offering the chance to run to the bathroom or switch over the laundry when there’s no other adult to keep an eye on the baby. The practice of leaving a child confined to their playpen used to be so common that most parents never gave it a second thought. Today, however, we know several factors can make doing so dangerous. Here are seven situations in which you should never leave a baby in their playpen unattended.

1. The Padding is Thick and There Are Plush Toys Inside – When infants are placed in a playpen, the structure should be treated as a portable crib; plush toys, fluffy blankets and soft, thick padding all pose suffocation risks and should not be used in playpens. Because infants cannot move their heads as easily as toddlers, these well-intended comfort items can easily obstruct their breathing.
2. She’s Tall Enough to Climb Out – The moment your child is old enough to stand up and make her way over the railing of the playpen, it should be retired or parents and nannies should commit to a policy of absolutely never leaving her unattended. Parents and nannies should always assume that a child who can escape, will; otherwise, they can
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   be lulled into a false sense of security.

3. An Adult is Out of Earshot – Popping around the corner into the next room for a few seconds isn’t likely to lead to tragedy; problems arise when parents and nannies assume that a baby is safe enough in her playpen for them to take a quick shower or complete chores on the other side of the house. If you can’t glance at your baby in a matter of seconds, you’re too far away from her.
4. The Structure is Beginning to Show Signs of Wear – Damaged playpens should be immediately replaced; those that are just beginning to show the first signs of wear are not safe for children to be left in unattended, even briefly. Hinges or other hardware that is exposed due to age or disrepair can easily cut or otherwise injure an infant or toddler; worn coverings can be torn or damaged quickly by an unsupervised child.
5. The Playpen is Filled With Toys – Soft toys pose a suffocation hazard, broken ones can become a choking risk and larger items can be used as stepping stones by resourceful, escape-minded toddlers. Avoid the temptation to fill your baby’s playpen with toys to keep them entertained while you’re indisposed.
6. You’re Sleeping or Otherwise Distracted – Falling asleep while your baby is in her playpen, even if you’re in the same room, is flirting with disaster. Exhausted parents and nannies may not hear cries of distress or choking noises, effectively leaving a child unattended for extended periods.
7. The Playpen is Not a Babysitter – Even parents and nannies with the best intentions will be forced to leave the room while their child is in her playpen; there are times when doing so is simply the safest choice. However, it’s important parents and nannies to understand that babies need to interact with the people and things around them; exploration is their primary source of learning and skill-building. Babies that are left to entertain themselves with a limited selection of toys for hours on end are deprived of the stimulation that is essential to their development.

Even if you’re in the room with your baby at all times, never tie toys to the railings or sides of her playpen; the cords can easily pose a strangulation hazard. Additionally, make sure that models with mesh sides feature holes that are less than ¼ inch to

prevent the risk of tiny fingers getting stuck. Before using secondhand playpens, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to be sure that they haven’t been recalled.

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10 Rookie Nanny Mistakes and How to Prevent Them

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Erin

Every nanny has to start somewhere; even the most seasoned pros were once beginners that made mistakes along the way. Expecting to perform perfectly out of the gate is setting yourself up for disappointment. Mistakes made by new hires are expected; that’s why they’re called “rookie” mistakes. Here are ten of the snafus that many new nannies face when they accept their first position.

1. Getting Flustered – One of the hallmarks of a veteran nanny is her ability to navigate most minor childhood crises with ease. Becoming overwhelmed and panicking when things go haywire is almost always a new-nanny
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   response. The good news is, the ability to sail through small catastrophes comes with experience; don’t give up! Experience breeds confidence.

2. Not Establishing Boundaries With Parents – Eager to please and grateful to receive a job offer with limited experience, new nannies are notorious for allowing their employers to inadvertently take advantage of them by not establishing the proper boundaries. The gradual piling on of chores unrelated to childcare is referred to by industry insiders as “job creep,” and it’s one of the biggest contributors to nanny burnout. Having a written work agreement can help to clearly define the nanny’s responsibilities.
3. Being Too Lenient – It’s natural to want your charges to adore you, but it’s important to remember that you’re there to keep them safe and healthy and to meet their physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs. Letting little charges run the show is a common mistake of new nannies, but it can lead to disaster. Educating yourself on the importance of setting boundaries and being consistent with young children will empower you to stand your ground, even when it’s easier not to.
4. Being Too Authoritarian – Striking a balance between firm and authoritarian styles can be difficult; nannies without much experience can, in an attempt to maintain control, become too much of a disciplinarian. It’s possible to be gentle as well as firm, it just takes some practice to find that middle ground. Discussing the parents discipline style and following suit can help you to maintain consistent behavioral expectations, which can increase cooperation.
5. Overconfidence – Many new nannies think that, because they have a bit of babysitting experience or have taken a child development class, that they’ll be able to step into their new position without a single hitch. Finding out that working as a full-time nanny is more difficult than babysitting for a few hours and that those classes don’t quite prepare you for everything can be a rude awakening. Connecting with seasoned nannies to learn about the demands of a full-time nanny job and how to handle them can help you cope with transitioning into full-time work.
6. Inattentiveness – It’s rare to find a new nanny that’s deliberately inattentive, yet many inadvertently are. When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to underestimate just how much attention children actually require; unfortunately, failing to pay attention even briefly can lead to trouble. When you’re on the clock, be sure to be present. Resist the temptation to text and tweet by putting your cell phone and iPod away.
7. Overindulging – Often, new nannies are college students or recent graduates that aren’t quite out of the party phase that comes with young adulthood. The mistake of overindulging on a night off is certainly not a rare one, but it’s a lesson quickly learned as morning comes early and shrieking children exacerbate hangover headaches. Save the late nights for the weekend. Nannies must be prepared, energized and ready to tackle each new day.
8. Exaggerating Skills – In some cities, the competition for nanny jobs is very stiff. As a result, young beginners will often “fudge” their resume a bit, hoping to gain an edge over the competition and compensate for their lack of relevant work experience. Regardless of the motivation, this is a mistake that can cost you a post if you’re found out, so always keep your resume honest.
9. Failing to Obtain a Written Nanny Contract – Nanny agreements aren’t just a list of responsibilities and employer expectations; they also provide written proof of agreed-upon vacation time, benefits and other perks. Mistakenly believing that these documents only serve to protect your employers can lead to disputes later on, and failure to get your agreement in writing will leave you with no leg to stand on. Be sure to execute a mutually agreed upon work agreement prior to your first day of work.
10. Bad Salary Decisions – There are several ways a new nanny can go wrong when it comes to negotiating her salary, but there are two in particular that can lead to trouble. The first is agreeing to be paid “under the table,” which means that her employers aren’t withholding taxes and she’s not reporting her income. This will affect your ability to make large purchases on credit such as a home or new car, your ability to draw Social Security and could result in severe penalties from the IRS. The second salary-related mistake is either accepting a salary much lower than the going rate, or expecting payment on a par with a highly experienced nanny. Research the average salary for new nannies in your area, and use that figure when negotiating.

Though even

minor flubs seem quite serious when there are children involved, it’s important to remember that every experience presents an opportunity to learn something valuable. Learn from these mistakes and make a concerted effort not to repeat them, and you’ll be on the road to becoming a real-life Mary Poppins in no time.

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10 Tips for Toilet Training Without PullUps

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Erin

For many parents, the idea of ditching diapers is an exciting prospect. Babycenter estimates the average monthly cost of disposable diapers to be in the neighborhood of $72.00. This means by the time your bundle of joy is two years old, up to $1728.00 of the family budget will go to covering their precious little behinds. Rather than shelling out even more of your hard-earned money for disposable training pants, here are ten tips for potty training without them.

1. Be Patient – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your little one may not learn to potty by himself on the first try. The most valuable weapon in a parent’s toilet training arsenal is old-fashioned patience. Be prepared for accidents, and don’t lose your temper when the inevitable happens.
2. Use Training Pants – Though brightly-colored “big kid” underwear with their favorite cartoon characters are strong incentives for kids to leave diapers behind, they tend to be rather thin and don’t do much in the way of stopping leaks. Training pants are thicker, and designed to absorb more moisture; some brands even feature those colors and characters that kids associate with “real” underwear.
3. Invest In Rubber Sheets – Nighttime accidents are among the most common, and can wreak havoc on a mattress over time. A rubber mattress cover under your child’s sheets will extend the life of his mattress and prevent odors until they’re potty trained completely.
4. Frequent Visits to the Bathroom – Until toddlers get in the habit of using the toilet, they often have accidents purely because they’re too absorbed in an activity to realize that they need to go. Making a practice of regularly visiting the potty will reduce the likelihood of a simple missed cue.
5. Rewards and Treats
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   – Whether you rely on small snacks as a reward for successful trips to the potty, or use effusive praise and celebration, it’s important to make sure that your little one knows he’s accomplished something every time he uses the potty during the earliest stages of training.

6. Act It Out – Using a doll as a prop is an effective way to offer a visual representation of the concept of using a potty for young toddlers. There are even dolls on the market that come packaged with their own miniature potties, which further illustrates the point without requiring a parent to dangle a baby doll over the toilet.
7. Hit the Bookstore – The children’s section of your local bookstore is a wealth of skill-building assistance; there’s a cheerfully illustrated book for any imaginable situation. Bedtime stories with a potty-training theme are effective ways of further demonstrating the concept.
8. Be Consistent – Constantly switching between disposable training pants, diapers and “big kid” underwear creates confusion for your child, making it difficult for him to determine when he should use the potty, and when he can “just go.” If you plan to use traditional underwear all day long, don’t get frustrated and switch to diapers or disposable pants after the fifth accident. Stick with the underwear and do an extra load of laundry if necessary.
9. Make Sure Nannies Are On the Same Page – Spending the weekend taking your child to the bathroom every fifteen minutes will all be for naught if your regular caregiver throws on a diaper or disposable training pants the moment you walk out the door. Make sure that your nanny knows what your methods are for potty training, so that you can work together to reach milestones.
10. Work Around His Schedule – Regardless of how eager or vigilant a child’s parents are, toilet training almost invariably happens on his schedule. Some may be ready to use the potty at two, while others aren’t even remotely receptive for another full year. If you’ve tried every trick in the book to no avail, give him a bit more time and then try again.

Financial concerns aside, the thickness and absorbency of disposable training pants also makes it difficult for little ones to feel that they’re wet, which further complicates the process. While this might make them a good choice for overnight use to prevent irritation and rashes, it can slow potty-training progress considerably if they’re used throughout the day.

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10 Nanny Interview Questions About Scheduling

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Erin

When hiring a nanny, you want someone who is willing to work with your schedule. Every family is unique and has different scheduling needs. Determining what your basic schedule looks like is essential in ascertaining who you are going to hire. Families with regular business hours to cover don’t have much to worry about, but those on irregular schedules will need varying degrees of flexibility. Asking the pertinent questions of your candidates is paramount in making the best decision. Some questions you may consider include:

1. What hours are you willing to work? – Some applicants may have their own schedules that need to be considered
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   in taking a position. You need to know if the hours you need covered are going to fit into their availability or not. Even if you are hiring a live-in nanny, it is best to make sure that the candidates’ availability matches your needs, as they may have classes or other obligations that need to be attended.

2. Can you work weekends? – If you need weekend coverage, you should make that known in the interview. Even if weekend coverage will be sporadic, you need to let applicants know that you may need their services on the weekend every once and a while.
3. How much notice ahead of time do you need? – An unpredictable or on-call schedule will require a certain amount of flexibility on the part of candidates. Some will be able to accommodate a highly fluctuating schedule but many will prefer set times.
4. How many hours do you need to work? – Some part time applicants will have a certain number of hours in mind. Others will be flexible.
5. Can you work occasional evenings and/or overnights? – If you foresee that you will need evening or overnight coverage on occasion, you should ask about such coverage in the interview, otherwise you may find yourself doing other interviews for babysitters later on.
6. Do you see yourself as a night owl or an early bird? – Night owls and early birds have differing times of high energy level and you may want to take this into consideration. If your kids wake up full of energy and ready to hit the floor running, you may want to have a nanny who is wide awake and ready to run after them. On the other hand, if your kids are revved up and alert in the afternoon, you want a person who can take advantage of that energy as opposed to one who would rather reserve the afternoons for quiet activities.
7. Do you have a daily schedule you like to follow? – Some nannies may have already created a schedule that works well for them and others will want your input in creating one specifically for your children. A regular schedule is an excellent way to make sure daily objectives are met.
8. Do you have a preferred time for vacation? – Most nannies get 1 to 2 weeks of paid vacation each year and typically take at least one at the same time as the family. You may want to ask about preferred vacation time, just so there won’t be conflicts in vacation scheduling.
9. Will you be able to travel with our family? – Some families hire nannies with the notion that the nanny will go wherever the family goes. If this is the case with your family, make sure it comes up during the interview. Live-in or not, you can’t assume the nanny will be willing to take up and head out of town, even for a weekend.
10. Do you need time off for any special holiday or religious observations? – As a courtesy you can ask about holidays and
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    religious observations that may not be in alignment with your own. If you need coverage during those times, then you will need to find someone who can meet those needs.

It is critical to ask questions regarding the various aspects of scheduling to make sure you have the help you need and to avoid unhappy situations down the road. There will be times when unexpected things will come up and you might need to ask your nanny for additional time. If you work to develop a great relationship, then those times will not be much of an imposition. Think of all the things that could arise, and get those things on the interview table. You and your new nanny will be glad you did.

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10 Additional Ways Nannies Can Help Families

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Erin

While providing personalized, quality childcare should be every nanny’s highest priority; there are other areas in which some nannies may be willing to provide additional assistance with appropriate compensation. Here are ten of the ways that many nannies are a blessing to the busy, working parents who employ them.

1. Running Errands – When a considerate nanny is out on the town, transporting her charges between school, home and extracurricular activities, she may be willing to go the extra mile from time to time to run more pressing errands that she knows her employers won’t have time for.
2. Preparing Meals on Particularly Hectic Days – Most nannies will balk at requests for prepared meals for an entire family on a regular basis, as such duties may fall under the heading of household manager rather than nannies. However, a nanny who has the time and knows that a particular day is likely to be a scheduling nightmare for her employers may prepare the occasional meal for both the kids and adults.
3. Straightening Up the House – During a typical day, the
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   common areas in a nanny’s place of employment are likely to be quite scattered. Though almost no nanny will feel comfortable even entering the master bedroom or home

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   offices of her employers, dedicated ones usually make it a point to be sure that common areas are cleaner when they leave, than when they arrived.

4. Providing Homework Help and Tutoring – Today’s professional nanny is likely to have a college degree, often in areas of education or early childhood development. This level of education makes her well-suited for providing tutoring and homework help to school-aged children, which is a task that most consider a part of their job description. Busy parents, however, may regard this as going beyond the call of duty.
5. Volunteering to Work Family Gatherings – When extended family descends upon a house for holiday gatherings or special events, a nanny with no plans of her own may volunteer to provide childcare for visiting youngsters, as well as her own charges.
6. Accompanying Families on Vacation – It’s important for nanny employers to note that when a nanny accompanies them on their family vacation to provide childcare services, it should not be regarded as her vacation. Most are more than willing to come along in order to fulfill her job duties, but she should still be rewarded with a kid-free vacation of her own later.
7. Working on Developmental Milestones – An adequate nanny keeps her charges safe and engaged while their parents are away. Exceptional nannies make it a point to work with young children on developmental milestones like potty training, walking and talking.
8. Caring For Pets – Though nannies with allergies or an aversion to animals are likely to turn down a pet-home post from the outset, those who accept such posts are usually more than happy to provide light pet care during the course of her workday.
9. Maintaining Respectful Hours – Young, inexperienced live-in nannies have been known to keep hours that, while age-appropriate, may create a disturbance. Seasoned veterans and young nannies with dedication, however, consider it a point of pride that they keep respectful hours and conduct themselves with dignity, even during off hours.
10. Organizing and Scheduling Assistance – Keeping the schedules of several children who all participate in extracurricular or after-school activities can be difficult for a stay-at-home parent; one that works full time may be completely overwhelmed at the prospect of balancing the schedules of their children and themselves. This is where an efficient nanny is likely to step in, keeping track of kids’ and parents activities on a master family schedule.

While some of these tasks are simply the mark of a nanny who is committed to going above and beyond what’s expected of her, some of them are absolutely not her responsibility and should not be treated as such. When a nanny treats the family to a home-cooked meal or runs errands unrelated to childcare, employers should view it as a treat, not expect it as part of her every day job.

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