[Quick Tip Tuesday] Homemade Flashcards

Homemade Flashcards
I love this tangible, tactile way to practice numbers. I haven't done this myself yet, so this is just a picture copied from another blog. I also dont know if we can handle the sand, I will have to test this beforehand and see how messy it might be. From counting, to recognizing numbers and placing them in order, there is alot to learning possibilities with flashcards. How long do you think it will take to make cards 1 through 100 (times three!)? I think the boys will enjoy making this craft, and likely desire to use it, when it’s complete!

Click the title to go to the original blog, or check out Regarding Nannies today, this is just one of "My Favorite Things - Back to School" edition!

Quick Tip Tuesday: Healthy Crunch

Quick Tip: Healthy Crunch

Do you have a texture eater like I do? One of the boys in my care shys away from a lot of fruits and vegetables. We haven't quite figured him out, but keep offering many different samples, regularly as we do for the others. The kid will eat soft cake, soft bread, but when it comes to the soft fruit or vegetables with juices, he's just rather not. After going through "feeding school" with one of the other boys early on, we learned some valuable lessons that were proven a success at the table. First, don't force food on children. Second, model what you want them to eat by sitting with them and eating exactly what you put on their plate. Banana chips are a staple in the house, and this crunchy fruit gave the boys mom an idea to seek out other crunchy fruits and veggies. The brand Just Tomatoes, Etc. makes everything from apples, apricots, cranberries to carrots, corn and peas. This product has absolutely nothing added to them, only the water is taken out. While we hope that T will grow out of his pickiness, we don't have to stress about him getting his taste of fruits and veggies. These also travel really well, and serve as a great substitute when you cannot take along a cooler on the go.

CINCYNANNYPALOOZA Scholarship Contest!

CINCYNANNYPALOOZA Scholarship Contest

There will be 3 scholarships given to local nannies who have shown amazing characteristics in their professional nanny position/career. Each scholarship has been donated and is valued at $25. Scholarship is only usable at the 2010 CINCYNANNYPALOOZA EVENT.

The nanny may be nominated by their employer or another nanny who has spent time with them on the job. To nominate, write a 150-250 word essay that can be shared at CINCYNANNYPALOOZA on Sat., Sept 18^th . Essay Deadline is Fri., Sept 3^rd at midnight. Email the essay to gretaschraer (at) mac (dot)com with your contact information (name, phone, email, & relation to nanny) as well as the contact info for nanny (name, phone, & email). Please choose only 1 of the following awards to write about the nanny.

AWARD CHOICES:

1. The Mary Poppins Joy Award - Share how the joy this nanny brings to her position is making an impact in her job or career.

2. The Fraulein Maria Commitment Award - Share how this nanny’s commitment has affected the lives around her.

3. The SuperNanny Excellence Award - Share how this nanny has shown excellence in her job or career.

For more information and to register for CINCYNANNYPALOOZA, click here.

Cannot wait to read the essays. Remember only 11 days to get them in!

High5 Friday: Topics in a Car Agreement

Transportation is a key part of a nanny's care for children. There are several options that a nanny and family may decide on as to how transportation is handled and is likely discussed during the interview/contract process. Some families may provide a car for the nanny to drive during work hours. Others may require a nanny to have their own reliable transportation that is suitable for the children.

Nannies should strive to provide a safe environment for children and take the necessary precautions for the possibility of an emergency.

When I first started my current job, it was decided that the family would provide a car for me to drive the triplets as they got older. The were 9 months when I started and it wasn't practical and manageable for me to be taking big field trips, alone, as the winter was approaching. In Spring, talk began about the purchase of a new car, as my faithful Honda Accord was losing it's battle for life. We began to discuss options of the purchase of a new car for me personally and how it could benefit us both. My employers offered me a stipend for a portion of the purchase price with certain requirements attached. I know that this is not the decision for everyone, but it was a great answer for us at the time. Many local nannies have asked how we have set up the system that has proven successful for us. I hope that sharing this may give ideas or open up discussions in the future for other situations.

Providing a Stipend

A stipend is simply a "source of funds provided to a particular individual to pursue a particular interest. Stipends do not usually cover all the expenses associated with the pursuit of interest"(business dictionary). A family may decide to give a certain amount of money to the nanny toward a car. A nanny may be able to purchase a nicer car than she could afford without the families help. The family will be able to weigh in on the specifics of the car being purchased - such as safety ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The family may also ask to for the size of a nanny's car be more accommodating to the needs of the children (for example: room for three car seats, strollers, bikes, etc.) than if she were to buy one just for herself, depending on the need.

This option would not be a great idea for a short term position, but can be beneficial if nanny and family have a come to a long-term agreement (for example: until the kids are in elementary school). This is an extra benefit for the nanny, increasing her feeling of appreciation and confidence in a long-term position. The following are some questions that may be beneficial to discuss and include in the agreement:

• How much will this stipend be?
• Is this a 1-time option?
• If nanny leaves position after so much time will all or part of the stipend be owed to the employer?
• What are the car requirements?
• Any other expectations attached?

Whether or not you decide to do a stipend, communication on paper is a good idea. This can be added to a section of your work agreement/contract. My employers put together a separate and lengthy car agreement detailing the expectations and requirements for the length of my position. Through this article I will outline what I feel are the key components of a car agreement, when the nanny drives her own car.

High5: Topics in a Car Agreement

5. Mileage

If a nanny drives her own car, she could keep track of her mileage while working and be reimbursed at the federal rate, currently $.50/mile. A nanny may be asked to record her data at the end of each month, and be reimbursed from her employer at that rate. It should be noted that the rate includes wear and tear on a car, not only gas, or as it says in the IRS site " The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of fixed and variable rates for operating a vehicle".

4. Insurance

A family will require that a nanny have current insurance and may request the nanny to provide current proof of insurance. There should be a discussion about if the nanny has liability only or full coverage. The family may reimburse all or a portion of the nanny's car insurance.

3. Maintenance

Because the nanny is responsible for more than her own safety, it is essential that she care for her car. If a family is reimbursing for mileage, the standard mileage rate includes maintenance. Though a majority of the maintenance expense will fall on the nanny as the owner of the car, every little bit helps. This could include:

• Tires: safe tread level, correct level of air, balanced & rotated regularly
• Oil: changed regularly
• Wiper blades & fluid
• Overall in good condition

2. Car Seats

In this section it may be discussed the parents preference for seat location, installation and etc. Forward and rear-facing plans and beliefs should be discussed between parents and nanny. Some families will have you be trained to learn to install seats, at the local fire department. A family may also require the nanny to have their car seat installation checked. Each car seat should be labeled with the child's information.

1. Safety and Emergency Prep

Best always to be over-prepared for the worst situation. A family may communicate the expectations of items that a nanny have in their car at all times. The family may purchase the items needed or may ask the nanny to provide. Here are some examples of items to include:

• License & registration
• Proof of Insurance
• Authorization to treat a minor
• AAA Card
• First Aid Kit
• Cell phone
• Tire gauge
• Flashlight
• Emergency blanket
• Jumper cables
• Spare tire, jack and misc.
• Bottled water

I hope that some of these ideas, give you a start for you car agreement section of your contract. Nannies that drive their own cars should think about the expenses that a family could share in. This option may provide practical and financial benefits for both parties.

Quick Tip: All Done Spot

Quick Tip: The All Done Spot

The boys in my care are slowly learning responsibility to help out with the family and pick up after themselves. I decided they were ready to begin carrying their dishes to the counter after meals and snack. They were not so excited. When I asked them to take their dishes to the counter, it could have meant any of the 5 different places in the open kitchen. So I created the "All Done Spot". This is the area right next to the sink, with a NEW fancy name. I made it a little mysterious in my explanation and acted surprised when they figured out where it was. "Oh...H found the All Done Spot! I bet you don't know where it is!?" They begin doing it without my asking and giving me a coy look waiting to see me be surprised (again). I love the All Done Spot!

High5: Reasons NOT to Miss CINCYNANNYPALOOZA!

CincyNanny is getting ready to host our biggest and best event ever...

CINCYNANNYPALOOZA is the first ever professional nanny conference in Cincinnati! The goal is to encourage professionalism, provide education and share community with other professional nannies. All, to enrich the lives of children!

Sat., Sept 18th

1:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Doors open at 12:45 p.m.

1-DAY CONFERENCE will bring together professional development and child development classes in a fun, professional atmosphere!

NATIONAL NANNY RECOGNITION DINNER will follow the workshops. Each nanny will be honored publicly by their professional peers.

DESIGNED FOR professional nannies, mannies, caregivers, babysitters, day care workers, teachers and other child-care industry related professionals are welcome. If you love children and are interested, you will not be turned away!

COST is $25 for all workshops and dinner. This all-inclusive and very low rate cannot be reduced if individual is unable to attend part of the day. Workshop folder, notes, local and national resources, as well as, fun "goodies" will be provided. In addition to dinner, snacks and drinks will be available at session breaks.

LOCATED at the Junior League of Cincinnati Columbia Center, 3500 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45226. The building is right off of Columbia Parkway, diagonal from the Precinct and near Mt. Lookout.

High5: Reasons NOT to Miss CINCYNANNYPALOOZA!

5. Prepare before you need it

In our career it is likely that we may find ourselves in a job search quickly. It is wonderful to have resources that will help you before you find yourself in the transitional situation. Our professional development workshop will discuss the communications essential to landing the right job, and keeping it. From resumes hints and tips to interviewing strategies, the nanny will be prepared for the unfortunate road of looking for a new position. I strongly believe that your resume can be the most powerful or detrimental instrument in your job search. Also in the workshop, each nanny will go through a solo exercise to understand their unique addition to their families. Once a nanny realizes that unique gift they have to offer she can be confident to communicate that to potential families, ultimately finding a great match.

4. Connect with other nannies

Having a community of professional around you is priceless. I think it is that gift that you didn't realize was so important until you actually have it. Our profession can be complicated and isolating, filled with many questions about the grey areas. CincyNanny strives to bring a positive and professional response to the questions in our city about the nanny profession. We hope that each nanny will personally connect to better their themselves and fulfill that "water cooler" we miss by not working a tradition day job. I look back at the relationships developed since out first event last September and I am blown away by the personal connections we have made. CINCYNANNYPALOOZA will be a comfortable, casual way to get to know other professional nannies. From there, nannies can set-up play dates with children close in age and location!

3. Stay on your toes

The conference will bring a new excitement to your career. The education will spark new ideas and rekindle old ones. Any job can get stagnant without out fresh resources and point of view. Not only will you be able to hear from trained, educated instructors, but you will get the benefit of the experienced nannies at your tabled to bounce ideas and share scenarios with. You will definitely come out of this one-day event with new resources to lean on!

2. Appreciation

Nannypalooza - Nannies Across America (the national covering for our event) specifically choose this weekend to join with local nanny groups to create conferences all around the country; Sept. 18-25 is National Nanny Recognition Week! We will celebrate each nanny at our dinner following the workshops. It was so inspiring last year to hear more about each nanny and how they are impacting their small yet significant world. You will be greatly encouraged and inspired by some amazing people.

1. Be a part of something bigger that you

I am absolutely ecstatic to help bring the first ever professional nanny conference to Cincinnati! (Do you get the luggage reference now?) Really, it is amazing to see how much CincyNanny has grown in one year! We would not have even thought to do this event without the influence of NANC/Nannypalooza! There is so much support from other cities who are planning and honoring along with us. Sept. 18-19, the local nanny will be able to attend a Nannypalooza , all across the country. Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland are all hosting events, making Ohio the only state with 3! Wow, Ohio, way to represent! At the same time, nannies in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Albany, Wilmington, Seattle, Houston, Millwaukee and Orlando will also be gathering with similar but unique events! This is such an exciting thing for our industry, and first time ever it has been done. Be a part of something huge!

A note about registration:

Registration is open and takes about 5 minutes to complete. There are still chances to receive a free 16 oz. CincyNanny water bottle (up to the first 25 to register)!

Payment will be taken by credit or debit card through Paypal. You do not have to have Paypal account to register.

Due to the timing of this event, during National Nanny Recognition Week, many employers will gladly pay for your registration! CincyNanny has been sending formal, one-time only, information emails to a nanny's employer at their request. If you would like to know more about this please email cincynanny.advisor (at) gmail (dot) com.

To register and see details for the event, including all the workshops being presented, follow the link to the event page here: CINCYNANNYPALOOZA Event Page

Look forward to seeing you out!

Quick Tip Tuesday: Protein Dip

Quick Tip: Protein Dip

Need to add a little extra protein into your kid's diet? Provide a side of peanut butter or hummus on the side to dip veggies! We love to use these colored ramekins. They are the perfect size for the boys to hold in their little hands.

High5 Friday: Straight Talk

In every position, nanny or not, there comes a time when you must have a difficult conversation with your employer. This is the time when we need to remind ourselves, as nannies, that we are professionals in a career and handle the situation accordingly. I hope this High5 will give you a few helpful hints on how to make that hard discussion a little easier. I would even go one step further to say that the hard discussions can bring about great change, unity and purpose with the family team... all to benefit the children.

High5: Straight Talk

5. Discuss Initially

I feel like I make this point often about many things nanny related, but it is worth repeating. It is so much easier to navigate a difficult situation when you are following a map. As you enter a position, be open and discuss your place. It may sound something like this. "I am excited to bring my experience into this position and carry-out the morals and ideals of your family. There may be times where our points of view are not completely in agreement. Some decisions and methods will greatly affect the children, so it is my hope that in those moments we will be able to sit down and come come up with a strategy on what to do as a team." You can then be a united front, all moving towards the same goal, rather than. It is hard to know what those items will be at the beginning with a family, but a simple line in your contract can start it out right. How about...

• The family and nanny desire to work as a team for the benefit of each child. If there is ever a discrepency, the nanny and family will set aside time to come up with a clear guideline, to ensure unity and clarity for the children.

4. The Right Time

If you as a nanny see an area that needs discussion, communicate. Don't sweep important items under the rug. I find that quick things can be discussed in passing or through email, but those items that really need strategy are best to do when the children aren't around. A nanny can shoot an email to her employer that says exactly what she hopes for in the meeting. Explain the time you think it would take and a positive approach to the topic you want to discuss. For example, say that you have noticed Bobby has been hitting and kicking other children recently. You may send an email that says:

"I was hoping that you might have 30 minutes to set aside to sit down with me after the kids go to bed one day next week. I have noticed an increase in Bobby's aggression towards other children. I would like to hear your observations and see if we might share some ideas on how to help his behavior. I have a few thoughts and possible solutions that I would like to run by you. Would Tues. or Weds. night at 9:00 work for the two of you."

In that example, you have specifically shared how much time you would like to meet, what you would like to talk about, all with the goal of solution. You have also given them a choice of when to meet, yet showing the priority and importance to you in the phrase "the next week". What family would not be excited about a nanny that desires to seek to solve a problem that they are probably seeing themselves?

3. Experience + Research

I love to use this method to express my ideas. My experiences and that of families and nannies that I have been in contact with adds up to a great amount of knowledge to be used (AND...Another reason why a community with professional nannies is great to have!) So many times a story of a real situation will show a family that this problem has happened before and it was solved! In some cases, a Dr. or expert point of view will only add to the validity of a solution. Not all solutions benefit every child, therefore it is great to draw from your own experiences and those around you, while you seek out new methods and ideas. As you gather these together, you can come up with multiple solutions and strategies to present to parents as you discuss the situation. It is important to share your thoughts, but to hear what the parents see as the solution and move in that direction. The goal is one team!

2. Share Clearly

I don't know about you, but I can have all my thoughts lined out, then I get in a meeting it it's not expressed clearly. Sometimes I may get nervous, something comes out wrong, or I leave in important thought out. I work well with notes clearly expressing my positive solutions. I can hand out a typed sheet of my main points and then speak it out loud. This not only will keep me on point with my intent to share, it will show the family that I am have taken the time to put my thoughts on paper. I care about the children and hope to find a positive answer with whatever is in question.

Often times, nannies are hesitant to renegotiate their contract, ask for a raise or talk money at all with their employer. If you are happy with where you are that is fine, but if you are complaining to anyone but your employer, you are talking to the wrong person. (So stop it, you make nannies look bad!) There are SO MANY resources available online to draw from that point to you as a professional. There are ways to be noticed for being a professional, as discussed in this High5.

1. Follow-up

After you have met, send a follow-up email to clarify in writing the mutual decision that you came to. My guess is that if it was important enough to meet about, sometimes even during your off-time, than it deserves a clear follow-up. If it applies to your job, request that it be added to your contract and include a sample line of how you hope it reads.

Just as in a romantic relationship or friendship, those straight talks can often pull you closer. Go in with a positive attitude, a willingness to compromise and a listening ear and it may surprise you!

[Quick Tip Tuesday] Plastic Packing

Quick Tip: Plastic Packing

We picnic a lot in the summer! We bring our lunch to the pool, park, zoo, water park, or wherever we want to stay through the lunch hour. I love to use these containers that will travel in a pool bag, cooler or my backpack. They protect the food from liquids and more importantly squishing! When we are ready to eat, our PBJs are as perfect as when they were first made. The boys love to open the compartments of this Eat & Discover On-the-Go Bowl to see what I have put inside. They always open each lid before deciding what will be their first bite. I love these sandwich boxes you can pick up at any grocery store. I use these for my husband's lunches as well. The lid to the sandwich box also acts a plate for extra food. With these containers, pack up is quick and easy; we can take home leftovers to snack on later. Though they can be bulky, I figure packing lunch for 4 is going to be that anyway!