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Activities to Encourage Your Young Reader

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Reading is a skill that your child will master at some point. Every child learns at a different pace and in different ways, however, so be patient with the process. In the meantime, here are some tips to encourage healthy reading habits in your child.

Visit the library – The library is a magical place for children! Help your child register for her own library card so that she can check out books independently. This independence will allow her to choose the books she’d like to read and help her become responsible for taking care of those treasures. Encourage her to look for books she is interested in, show her where to ask for help if she can’t find something and allow her to make her own choices.

Read to and with your child daily – About 30 minutes of reading per day is what is recommended to encourage healthy reading habits in your child. Start at a young age by reading to your child and then gradually transition to him reading out loud to you. The reading doesn’t have to be done all at once, but can be broken up into smaller, more manageable slices of time.

Role model at home – Children who see the adults around them engaging in reading are more likely to follow your example.

Write short notes to your child – Put them in lunch boxes, backpacks or leave them on the counter for your child to read. You can write about anything; tell her that you love her, leave her a small fact to read or even write down her chores for her!

Ask open-ended questions about the story that you are reading – Asking your child open-ended questions will encourage him to think about what is going to happen next in the story and to put together what has already happened. Ask him how he’d have the story end or to predict what he thinks will happen next in the story. Once you read more of the story, look back on your discussion and compare his thoughts to the actual story line.

Use context to check vocabulary words – Throughout your life you use context to check the meaning of words you don’t know, so encourage your child to do the same. It’s an essential life skill.

Practice writing skills – Reading and writing go hand in hand because you learn one while you are learning the other! Have your child practice sounding out words while she is writing, encourage her to create her own story with illustrations and have her write letters to people in your family (and have others write back to her!).

Let them pick the books that they read – Giving your child ownership of the books he chooses will mean that he is more involved in the reading process from the beginning. Encourage him to read the classics as well, but let him pick out what he is interested in reading.

Make reading fun – While you are reading together have her act out stories, recreate them or illustrate them how she thinks it should be done!

Play reading related games – Choose games that require reading to play together. Games that involve word play (Scrabble or Boggle), games with cards that you read (Fluxx or Pictionary) or games that require you to read spaces (Life or Monopoly) all encourage children to read independently while playing.

It’s important to remain patient and calm during the learning to read process with a young child, help him when he needs help, but stand back and allow him to navigate the words on his own as much as possible. Eventually the day will come that you are sitting side by side on the sofa, each reading your own books, and all that effort and hard work will pay off.

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Why Nannies Need to Have an Attitude of Service

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Erin

For those who enter the private service industry, whether as nannies or household managers, having an attitude of service is integral to long-term career success. Those with an attitude of service believe

they should give to give, not give to take. Successful private service professionals understand that giving is really better than taking in the workplace. Their motive for doing their job well is the feeling that comes from anticipating and meeting the needs of their employers. Successful nannies and household managers take pride in their work and do their job with excellence. While their paychecks are important, the feel good feelings about themselves and their work that stem from doing their job to the best of their ability are far more valued. For these professionals, making a difference means more than building a bank account. For those who grasp the concept of serving to be served, they tend to be far more respected and valued by their employers than those who don’t. Those who serve others end up being those who are served. When you actively and passionately serve others, the natural response from those you serve is to want to serve you back. This payback comes in the form of added respect and tangible expressions of appreciation. This appreciation often translates into additional compensation in the forms of raises, bonuses and benefits. Employers who employ those with an attitude of service tend to be more accommodating to their employees, granting time off when requested and providing flexibility when needed. They also tend to provide the best references, helping their past employees secure any job they pursue. When nannies have an attitude of service, it tends to create a cycle in the employment relationship that prevents job creep and prevents the employer from taking advantage of the employee. For an employer, it becomes quite difficult to take advantage of a nanny who always goes above and beyond and who always strives to do whatever needs to be done. While a nanny who has a true attitude of service may occasionally come across an employer who is never satisfied and is always looking to get more out of their nanny, the majority of employers appreciate and value the contributions that their nanny makes and tangibly show it. One of the major differences between an employee who has an attitude of service and one who doesn’t is that those who do are willing and eager to do whatever they can to improve the quality of life of those they serve. While having a written work agreement that outlines their duties and responsibilities is important to successful private service professionals, to them these lists of duties and responsibilities outline the bare minimum of what their job will entail. If you’re considering taking your career to the next level, consider putting on an attitude of service. If you do, be ready to soar to new heights!

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10 Easter Activities for Kids

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Erin

Easter brings images of bunnies, jelly beans, crosses and spring to mind! Most families do the traditional Easter basket, egg hunt and church routine, but this Easter shake things up a bit by thinking outside of the box and incorporating a few more meaningful activities into your Easter traditions.

1. Natural egg dyes – Did you
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   know that you can dye your eggs without chemicals? Annie’s Eats provides a list of different colors that you can easily create at home by using food to provide the color. You can find recipes for grey-blue, blue, yellow, pink and lavender.

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2. Egg dying techniques – Why not make egg dying an artistic process? Spoonful has various techniques to use for your egg dying experience, including using tin foil, string, bubble wrap, thumbprints and tissue paper.
3. Easter egg hunts – Egg hunts are a traditional Easter activity for most Christian families. A lot of towns or churches will host an egg hunt, but if they don’t you should
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   consider arranging one for your neighborhood or family! You can use real eggs (make sure they are hard-boiled first!) or use plastic eggs filled with various items, such as money, candy or other small trinkets.

4. Tissue paper egg art – Egg art is an easy way to decorate your house for Easter. This simple project requires some poster board, tissue paper, a pencil and a bit of glue. Have your child cut out an egg shape from poster board, draw a design on the egg with pencil, and then, using small squares of tissue paper, the eraser end of the pencil and a bit of glue, fill in the spaces with the tissue paper to create your Easter egg!
5. Stained glass crosses – You can easily create a stained glass cross to hang in your window with your child using tissue paper and clear contact paper. Cut the tissue paper into small shapes (have your child help, if it’s age appropriate) and cut out a sheet of contact paper. Draw a cross on the non-sticky side of the contact paper, remove the paper, and have your child fill in the cross with the tissue paper shapes. Once they are done,
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   place another sheet of contact paper over the tissue paper and then cut inside the lines of the cross you drew on the first sheet of contact paper. Hang your creation in the window for the entire family to enjoy!

6. The jelly bean story – The jelly bean story is a great way to represent what Jesus gave his people and why Easter is celebrated. There is a short story to print out to go along with the project and each jelly bean color represents different things, such as the sun, grace or sorrow.
7. Envelope bunnies – Envelope bunnies are a great way to welcome guests to your home during the Easter season. Have your children help create them and then fill them with treats!
8. Egg chickens – Egg chickens are a cute way to spruce up a hard-boiled egg for a centerpiece at your table! You can create other animals too, so let your imaginations go wild!
9. Egg relay races – If you live in a climate that makes it possible to head outside on Easter day, consider doing some active outdoor activities with the kids. Who doesn’t love an egg relay race? You can place the eggs (hard-boiled!) on spoons and run with them (if they fall, you have to stop and pick it up). You can also pass off the egg to each other or pass the eggs down the line using only your elbows! The possibilities are endless, and the entire family can get involved!
10. Egg bocce ball – Use your leftover hard-boiled eggs to play a game of egg bocce ball. You’ll need one white egg (the pallino) and each player will need two of the same colors of eggs to play. Roll the pallino in the grass and have players take turns trying to roll their eggs as close to the pallino as possible. The closest egg wins!

Whatever activities you choose to do on Easter, do them together as a family! As you are doing each activity, take the time to explain to your children the connection it has to Easter and the significance that it brings to the table.

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How to Create Harmony with Work-at-Home Parents

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill One of the most challenging environments nannies encounter is when they’re working with the work-at-home

parent. There are times when the children don’t know who is in charge, the nanny doesn’t feel comfortable disciplining children or the children run to daddy when they have a question. The experience doesn’t have to be challenging, however. It’s important to sit down with the parents ahead of your first day of work and work out the logistics of being together in the same house the entire day. Here are a few pointers to get you started. Separate work from play – Parents should create a designated workspace to work from, preferably one that is away from the play space and has a door. This will allow the parent to separate themselves from the children and allow the nanny to do her job. It’s also important for the kids to know that mommy is at work when she’s in her office and she’ll be home from work when she’s done. Create a schedule that works – Both the parent and the caregiver should create a schedule that works for the child or children in the home. By creating a schedule for the children they will know what to expect and when to expect it. Schedule breaks from work around mealtimes, so that the parents can join the child for lunch or so that they may put the child down for a nap in the afternoon. Make sure you are on the same page for discipline and routines – It’s important that the children know who is in charge when mommy or daddy is working, and that the same question will result in the same answer no matter who they ask. Have parents relay the children back to the nanny when they have questions about the daily routine or activities; the day will go much smoother once the children realize that the nanny is in charge while mom is at work. Define your start and end times – When a parent works from home it’s easy for them to work over their allotted time; after all, their commute is short and they are mere steps away from any activities. Define your start and end times together and stick to them, that way everyone knows what to expect at the beginning and end of each day, including the children. Hang a “do not disturb” sign on the office door – Hang a sign on the office door when parents absolutely cannot be disturbed, such as during a conference call or consultation. Let the kids know that when the sign is up they cannot interrupt mom or dad and that they will have to find another solution in the meantime. Discuss how to resolve conflict – You will be working together in close quarters, so it’s best to decide how you would like to best resolve conflict. Before the position begins, sit down with the parents and talk about how you’d like to communicate with each other and how to bring up touchy subjects. Plan outings with the children – Plan special outings with the children in your care to have them away from the house

during specific times of the day. Museums, parks, play dates and story time are all wonderful ways to keep children occupied and out of the house. It will keep their minds off the fact that mom and dad are working in the house and it will give the parents a few quiet hours during the day to really focus on tasks. Discuss work-time vs. home-time with the kids – Let them know that mom is at work, even though she’s home, and that she’s not to be disturbed while she’s working. Kids will understand this concept quickly if you stick to what you’ve discussed! Communication – How are you going to handle communication throughout the day? Is it okay to pop into the office to ask a question or should you call or text the parent even though they are in the same house? Find a solution that works for everyone and is least disruptive to the children and parents. It is possible to work harmoniously with parents who work from home, and it can even be a really wonderful experience if everyone is willing to work their hardest at making it a positive experience. Communication is always the key and it’s important to remember to keep discussing what is working and what isn’t so that you are able to find solutions for those things that are not.

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Writing a Letter of Introduction to Prospective Nanny Employers

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Often, your first interaction with a prospective nanny family is through a letter of introduction. Since a family may base their desire to interview you off of your letter, it’s important that the letter represent the best of who you are. Here are a few key things to keep in mind while drafting your letter of introduction.

Tell the family about yourself – It’s important to allow the family to get to know you through your words, so share the personality traits you have that bring out the best of you. Let them know that you love being around people, that you are silly or that you are a really positive person. Share your best qualities; some families are looking for someone who is similar to their family, while others look for a nanny who will bring out different features in their children.

Tell the prospective family about your background – Let the family know where you grew up and what your family life was like growing up. This will help them feel a personal connection with you. You should also let them know about your educational background and why you chose that path, especially if it pertains to the childcare industry.

Let them know why you’re a nanny – Perhaps you had always planned on being a nanny or maybe you discovered your passion for childcare while working elsewhere. Let the family know that! You should share with them your path to working with children and your philosophy on working with children of all ages.

Share your interests outside of childcare – Tell them what you like to do on your own time, including items that can extend to working with children, such as your love for the outdoors, sports, doing crafts, reading or playing games.

Share what you are looking for in a family – If it’s crucial to you that your family be very outgoing or share similar beliefs to your own, it’s best to state that in your introduction letter as well. They should know if you are looking for very specific traits in a family, that way you can make sure you are only matched up with families you know you will work well with.

Check your spelling and grammar – Nothing spells unprofessionalism like a misspelled word or incorrect grammar in your letter to a family. Use spell check and proofread your letter! If possible, have someone else read and edit your letter and give feedback; often times your own eyes are not enough! This is your first impression to your potential employer and it’s important that you put your best foot forward!

Include contact information in your letter – This will depend on if the family has other documents from you as well. If you’ve gone through an agency, it’s likely the family will already have this information, but if you’ve found the position on your own it’s likely that they may not have your contact information. Your letter of introduction is a good time to include this information.

Your letter of introduction is likely the very first time your family will “meet” you, making it crucial that your personality and professionalism shine through the words that are written on paper. A well-put together and thoughtful letter will reflect upon you directly and the result of a carefully written letter will be an interview with the potential nanny family.

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What to Look for in a Long-Term Nanny Job

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill Most nannies don’t begin their career looking for a job that will allow them to stay with a family for many years, possibly until all of the children off to college. However, there comes a point where you may realize that longevity with a family is exactly what you’re seeking. Staying beyond the pre-school years creates a connection with the children and family that goes much deeper than the typical bond one has with the children they care for. Here are a few things to look for in

your search for a long-term family. A young family – The younger the children are when you start, the longer the position has the potential to last. When you start with a family who has just had their first child, ask if they plan on having more children. More children means more years of nanny care. A family that has children in middle school or is done having children just doesn’t have the same span for needing a nanny that a younger family will. Parents who have jobs that will require a nanny long-term – Parents who work later in the evening, travel for their job or occasionally have

to work weekends are going to need a nanny longer than those who don’t. Families who hold traditional jobs with no travel aren’t as likely to need a nanny once their children are old enough for after-school care or to care for themselves. Make sure that you ask about longevity in your interview; it’s important to know going into the position what the potential for long-term employment is. A family whose values and morals match your own – It’s much easier to stay long-term with a family when you are all on the same page about child rearing, discipline, ethics and communication. When you are all on wildly different pages about different topics it’s difficult to find a common meeting ground, so it’s best to ask questions about things that are important to you in an interview. The family’s interests reflect your own – It is easier to make lasting connections with a family who shares in some of your interests, especially if those

interests transfer over to the children. If you’ve played soccer your entire life and you are caring for children who are also playing, you’ll enjoy the time spent bringing them to practice, watching games and running sports-related errands a bit more because you’ll understand the joy that it brings to that child and family. If you are a book loving nanny who is working for a television centered family, it’s likely that you aren’t going to agree with the long-term implications of letting children watch so much media. When interviewing

with a family, ask them about their interests with and without the children, as this will give you a bigger picture of who they are and if they would be the right fit for you. A family that treats their nanny well – Ask to speak to the previous nanny and see how she was treated. Longevity is increased through working with a family that listens to you, is willing to work with you, offers benefits and is flexible. It’s easy to want to stay with a family when they treat you like the professional that you are! In the end, only you know what will work for you when deciding to stay with a family for the long-term. It’s best to know exactly what you are looking for in a family, but you should also be willing to compromise on the less important factors. There is something uniquely special and wonderful about seeing children grow from an infant to a high school graduate and knowing that you had a helping hand in the wonderful adult that they’ve now become.

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10 Tips for Helping Kids Be Independent

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Raising independent children is hard work, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do, for them and for you! Children who are able to solve their own problems and do things for themselves are happier and more relaxed about the world around them. They are less stressed about how everything is going to get done because they are in control of the situation. It takes time to teach kids how to be independent, so be patient with the process and expect a

few messes along the way!

1. Set clear boundaries – Let children know what their boundaries are and what is expected of them. There should be no surprises in what they are allowed to do on their own and when they should ask for help. If there are questions, kids should talk to the grown-up in charge and discuss the situation with them.
2. Create structure and routine that encourages independence – Set kids up to be able to help themselves as much as possible. Put cups on lower shelves, keep drinks on the lowest shelf in the fridge, have children sort and put away their own laundry, let them pick out their own clothes and dress themselves in the mornings and create a snack shelf in the fridge with healthy options. The more they can do for themselves, the more that a sense of independence will be created for them.
3. Teach problem solving skills – If children have a problem, teach them the skills they need to solve it. A common problem children have is fighting among siblings. Instead of always stepping in, give them the option of resolving the conflict with each other on their own. Role-playing is a great way to introduce these skills without having all the emotion of a real conflict in the way.
4. Show empathy – It’s important for kids to know you care while they are figuring out how to solve a situation. Tell them that you care about what happens to them, but that you’d also like for them to be the one who figures out the solution. You won’t allow them to get physically hurt, but they do need to find a solution that they think will work.
5. Let them fail – It sounds harsh, but allow for mistakes. The best consequences are the ones that occur naturally. For example, forgetting your homework at home will mean you will suffer a consequence at school. It’s a learning experience, but one that is sure to help your child remember their homework next time! Let them spill the milk when trying to pour it into their glass, then show them how to clean it up and try again!
6. Let them do it themselves – Have children be responsible for their own belongings on a trip. They can pack a small backpack of toys and books to bring on a trip, be responsible for carrying it through the airport and onto the plane and make sure that all of their belongings get back into the backpack for the trip home.
7. Give choices – Let children think for themselves and give them reasonable choices about their day. If they need to be dressed up that day, allow them to choose the blue or the grey shirt. Have them help you decide which snacks to prepare, what project to work on, what homework they’d like to do first and other choices throughout the day.
8. Let them speak for themselves – When you are at a restaurant have your child order their own food or if you’re at a medical appointment have them speak to the receptionist, nurse and doctor. This gives them the opportunity to learn how to interact with people outside of their social groups and in professional settings.
9. Interject, but don’t intervene – When children are in the middle of figuring out a problem, but are struggling a bit, don’t solve the problem for them. It’s okay to offer suggestions and ideas if they are truly stuck, but it’s important that they use the thought process to get themselves out of the situation. Your children will probably surprise you by coming up with solutions that you may have not even thought of!
10. Practice how to practice – Practicing is a life-long skill that we all use on a daily basis. If your child takes up a musical instrument, but halfway through the year decides they no longer want to play it, use the experience as a practicing experience. They need to finish their commitment and should consider it practice for life. Make sure to explain that to them.

Being independent isn’t easy, nor is it fast. There are times when you are truly in a hurry and kids won’t be able to practice, but try to allow for times when your children can do things on their own, even if that means waking up 15 minutes earlier in the morning! Kids who are independent will turn into teenagers who are independent and able to make solid choices, because at some point, you won’t be there to guide their every move. It’s important to give them the tools today so that they grow to be successful adults.

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8 Reality Shows With Real Life Nannies Taking Center Stage

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Erin

While the first reality show on television was arguably Candid Camera, which originally began airing in 1948, explosion in reality show popularity began in the summer of 2000, with shows like Big Brother and Survivor. Since then, reality shows have been launched with a focus on anything you can think of, from pawn shops to alligator hunters. Nannies and the world of private, in-home childcare are no strangers to reality programming either, with several shows featuring a private caregiver at some point or another. Whether their primary focus is the nanny industry or they simply feature a nanny from time to time, these eight shows have all featured a “real” nanny.

1. SuperNanny – While SuperNanny originally aired in the United Kingdom, star Jo Frost truly took off in America, due partially to her buttoned-up, stereotypical portrayal of a “British nanny.” Rather than actually caring for children, Ms. Frost came into the homes of troubled families burdened by a complete lack of respect or good behavior with aims of correcting the parenting styles that led to such antics. As a result, there is a relatively large cross-section of parents who believe nannies to be more like behavioral experts and child trainers than caregivers. After seven seasons on the air, Jo Frost stepped down from her role as SuperNanny.
2. Nanny 911 – Another nanny program pandering to the stereotype of the British nanny reigning in unruly American children, Nanny 911 was the Americanized version of a British program called Little Angels. “Nanny Deb,” “Nanny Stella” or “Nanny Yvonne” would be dispatched at the beginning of each episode to the home of a family struggling with multiple misbehaving children, clad in a uniform quite similar to the one worn by fiction’s favorite nanny, Mary Poppins. Nanny 911 aired on FOX, then on CMT, until 2009.
3. Beverly Hills Nannies – Depicting a group of young nannies from around the country as they work for high-profile clients in swanky Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Nannies has enjoyed a relatively high level of success. Nannies and childcare experts, however, take issue with some of the nannies’ behavior, which is a bit less than accurate when compared against the professional demeanor of non-reality show nannies.
4. TMZ – The shock-gossip website TMZ was so popular that the staff eventually acquired their own reality show, blending breaking celebrity news with the daily workings of the morning bullpen meetings. While the tell-all nanny scoop is nothing particularly new in Hollywood, Britney Spears’s former nanny Leah Frand made major waves on the paparazzi-fueled show
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   by making statements directly contradicting allegations leveled against the singer by her former life coach, Sam Lufti. Naturally, Lufti’s rebuttal was comprised largely of calling Ms. Frand’s story untruthful, but the tale did serve to bring both of the former entourage members their 15 minutes of television fame.

5. True Hollywood Story – The ugly divorce between Jon and Kate Gosselin of Jon & Kate Plus Eight fame was the stuff of reality show legend. Such was the buzz
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   around the couple that Kate Gosselin was even the subject of her own E! True Hollywood Story episode. On the show, ex-nanny Stephanie Santoro provided interviews and insights, even though she’d admitted to an illicit affair with the family patriarch.

6. Take Home Nanny – Originally airing on TLC, Take Home Nanny launched in July of 2008 and ran for one season. On the show, professional nanny Emma Jenner helped parents learn to establish boundaries and provide rational and effective discipline, all while instilling good manners in their children.
7. Wife Swap – The Spolansky/Bradley family episode of Wife Swap portrayed an extremely well-heeled couple from New York City and a blue-collar New Jersey clan. On the show, viewers discover that Jodi Spolansky was a stay-at-home mom with a staff of four nannies to care for her brood.
8. Giuliana and Bill – After a hard-won battle with fertility issues, Giuliana and Bill Rancic welcomed a son via gestational surrogate in 2012. One episode of their reality show featured the couple attempting to hire a nanny for the newborn Edward Drake, with rather amusing results.

For parents considering the prospect of hiring their first nanny, it’s important to keep in mind that the world portrayed by reality television is subject to the skewed perception caused by sensationalist editing, prompting or even outright scripting. Few of these shows cast nannies or the private childcare industry in an accurate light, even the ones purporting themselves as documentary-style programming. Allowing your own perceptions of the industry or ideas about how nannies work to be shaped by reality shows is likely to leave you with a largely unrealistic view of private childcare.

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How to Survive Your First Camping Trip with Kids

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill Camping in the outdoors can be one of the best ways to spend the warmer summer months with your family. It’s a chance to unplug and spend time together, while experiencing the beauty of nature. However, it can also be one of the most daunting experiences a new parents faces, as traveling with kids is rarely easy, but it doesn’t have to be! With a few simple tips, you can ensure that you will have a successful trip together! Plan – Planning is the key to making a camping trip successful! Involve the kids as much as possible in your planning; they can help choose where to go camping, activities to do while camping, meals you’ll eat and even hiking trails to take. The more that they are involved in the process, the more likely it is that they’ll have an experience that they will enjoy and take ownership over. Always have back-up plans, just in case! Practice – Show your kids what you’ll be doing on a camping trip by starting small. Pick a nice evening to go camping in your backyard, show them how to set up the tent and have them help you! Build a small fire, if allowed in your neighborhood, and teach them about fire safety. On another occasion, take a day trip to a local state park and go for a hike, have a picnic lunch and go swimming if it’s available. This will help your children acclimate to spending the day and night in the outdoors, especially if it’s something they aren’t used to. Prepare – Preparation is important! Have your children help prepare for the camping trip by packing their own bags (each child should have their own bag or container for clothing, toys and books), guide them through the process and double check that they have what they need for the trip. Ensure that you have a working tent and sleeping bags for everyone and that all of your gear is in working order. Organize – Create a packing list that you can check off as you pack up items for your trip. Separate cooking supplies and food into bins and containers. Have one bin of toys that everyone shares. Each person should have their own bag for their clothes and belongings, and you should encourage them to put their things in there when they aren’t using them so that they can easily find them again later! Bring familiar and new toys – Have the children help you choose what toys they should bring camping with you. It’s best to leave the electronics and expensive toys at home. Throw in some outdoor toys to have while you are camping! Paddle ball, discs and kites are always good ideas, as well as a few games to play while waiting around (Pass the Pigs is always an entertaining game to play while camping!). If you are staying at a park with roads and trails, bring along your bikes. Bring friends – Camping is always more fun with friends! Find a family that also loves camping and plan trips with them! If that doesn’t work, consider allowing your children to bring a friend to play and hang out with on your trip. Enjoy nature – Take the opportunity to learn about the plants, trees, bugs and animals that are native to your camping environment. Enlist the help of the park rangers if they are available, as they will often have a wealth of knowledge to pass onto you and your family. Often times, parks will have educational events offered throughout the weekend, so take advantage of these learning opportunities! Take a day hike together and explore the trails (with a map, of course!), have your children start a nature journal or sketchbook and take the time to take notes about the beauty that surrounds you. Teach your children to respect the nature around them by not picking live plants or flowers and emphasize the importance of leaving no trace behind. Enjoy the night – Being outside at night can be a new and sometimes scary experience for children, who are used to being inside once it’s dark out. Make nighttime fun! Teach your children to safely build a campfire and roast marshmallows together, tell stories to each other, learn about the constellations, discover the new sounds you are hearing at night and give each child a flashlight to help them feel a bit safer. Pack the right

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clothing – Your children will get dirty and wet while camping, so make sure you pack plenty of extra clothes! Your child’s comfort will depend on the fact that you’ve packed enough clothing and the right types of clothing for your trip. Be sure that each child has plenty of clothes for daytime, at least two swimsuits, a pair of pants, a fleece sweater, a rain jacket, a hat and anything that you might need for the climate you are camping in. Teach them to layer their clothing as the evening cools off. Safety

– Instruct your children on a meeting spot in case of an emergency; pick a tree or nearby building that you can all easily find in the event that something happens. Instruct them on proper fire and stove safety to avoid burns. If your child wanders off into the woods, teach them to stay put once they realize they are lost and to make noise! If there is water nearby, let them know that they are not allowed near the water without an adult, even if a lifeguard is on duty. If there are dangerous animals in the area that you are camping in, show children what do if they encounter one. Take your time and start slow, go for a night or two and work up to a length of time that is comfortable for your entire family! Your family will begin to cherish your trips to various campsites and will start to look forward to their time away from home. Camping is fun with children; you just have to be well prepared and ready for just about anything!

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The Importance of Workshops and Conferences for Nannies

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Ongoing education in any field is important, and most industries offer conferences, workshops and trainings to those within it. Until recently, there weren’t a whole lot of educational opportunities available for nannies to choose from, but that’s changing in our evolving profession. There are now a variety of local and national conferences and trainings that nannies can choose to attend, depending on your needs. As with any field, it’s important that nannies keep up to date with their education and skills trainings, not only so that they can be on the top of the applicant pool, but also so they can provide quality care to the children in their hands.

Know the industry standards – By attending trainings you will be knowledgeable on what the latest trends, standards, news and best practices are in the nanny industry. When it’s time to renegotiate your contract or talk to your employers about a raise, you’ll be able to show them the facts on the latest standards and you will be able to back up what you are discussing.

Sessions on childcare – At conferences for nannies you’ll find a variety of topics dealing directly with childcare; some of it will be new, some you will already know, but all of it is valuable. The range of topics can vary from infant massage to bullying and from nutrition in children to keeping teens safe while using technology. There is something for everyone and every age group.

Professional development workshops – Learning how to create your own portfolio and performing an effective job search are just the beginning of what professional development sessions have to offer. Once you have portfolios and job searching under your hat you can move onto things such as transitioning to a household manager, asking for a raise and staying as the long-term nanny with a family. It’s important to remember that even though you’ve been a nanny for quite some time, there’s always something new to learn or to improve upon.

Sessions on specialty topics – At most conferences you will find a workshop or two on a more specialized type of nanny service. If you are looking into getting into newborn care or being a nanny for a child with special needs, this is often the place to start. Most workshops on specialty topics are aimed towards caregivers who are just starting out in that particular specialty and are looking for more information on the topic and asking themselves how they can even start the process. It’s a great place to connect with others who have more experience in that particular arena as well.

Networking – Working as a nanny can be a very isolating job; you often spend long days and hours at home with the children in your care, and now and then it’s nice to know that there are others out there doing the exact same thing. By attending a workshop or conference you can get to know the other people that understand exactly what you are going through and, in turn, you can all support each other through the triumphs and tribulations of being a nanny.

A weekend away with others in the industry – Nannies spend much of their time taking care of other people, so it’s nice to be able to get away and take care of yourself, even if you’re doing so while attending a conference. It’s a great chance to connect with others, learn more about childcare and development and give yourself a weekend away from the hectic schedule you usually possess. Chances are, you’ll come back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and ready to give everything you’ve got to the kids you care for!

There are many places where nannies can further their education. The International Nanny Association (INA) puts on an annual conference each year, as does Nannypalooza. The National Association for the Education of the Young Children (NAEYC) also does several trainings throughout the year in cities throughout the country. You’ll also want to see if a National Nanny Training Day (NNTD) event is happening in your area this year- they are happening in many cities throughout the nation in an effort to provide quality education on a local level. Lastly, look at colleges in your area, as they may offer classes in child development as well.

There are many reasons to attend a workshop or conference, but most importantly, you should attend them so that you can be the best person and the best nanny that you can be.

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