nanny

What Are the Stumbling Blocks in Your Job Search?

Every nanny faces stumbling blocks during her job search. They can be real (e.g. you were fired from your last job) or simply assumptions made by agencies or parents (e.g. you're overweight so you must be a couch potato). Either way, they can keep you from getting the interview or landing the job. So what’s a job hunter to do? First, take an honest assessment of what your stumbling blocks might be. Don’t simply list the ones you feel are valid. List the ones that you might come up … [Read more...]

Filed Under: job search tips, nanny front

Ready, Set, You’re Hired Sneak Peek

Ready to land a great nanny job? (Yes, they’re out there!) Then you’re ready to invest in the program that has gotten results for hundreds of other nannies across the country. Designed exclusively for nannies, the Ready, Set, You’re Hired! program shows you how to get noticed and get hired in the most competitive nanny job market we’ve ever seen. Great nanny jobs are out there but you won’t land one by relying on outdated search tactics or traditional interviewing techniques. It’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: nanny feed, your job search

Talking to Your Employer About Taxes

This page is filled with the resources you need to help talk to your employers about being paid legally. This is a tough topic to tackle but it’s an important one. You deserve to receive all the protections that being paid on the books offers you. Please share this page with your nanny friends and groups if you find these resources helpful. watch the on demand webinar How to Talk to Your Employer About Taxes download the webinar handout that outlines what I shared in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: nanny / family relationship for nannies, nanny feed, nanny front, your job search

Smart Strategy To Get Through the Not So Calm Moments

I think one of the most important things a parent or nanny can do is to be self-aware. To know how to manage her own emotions so she can teach her kids how to do the same. This week I want to share an amazing article by The Twin Coach. 5 Ways Sportscasting Helps When Parenting Gets Tough is a how to guide on sharing how your feeling with your children. This approach has the power to change the way you view yourself and the way your kids view you. [custom_author=Lora A Brawley] … [Read more...]

Filed Under: nanny feed, parent feed, parent front

The Cost of Saying Nothing

Usually when I talk with a nanny about her decision to speak up or stay quiet about an issue she’s having with her employer, the conversation begins with the nanny focusing on everything that could go wrong if she spoke up. Her employer could get mad at her. She could be labeled a complainer, a whiner, a bitch. She could ruin the good relationship they have. She could show all her cards and still not get what she’s asking for. She could lose her job. She could lose her reference. The ‘what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: nanny / family relationship for nannies, nanny feed, nanny front

Keeping Kids Safe While Juggling Carpools and Car Seats

As summer gets closer, you may find yourself transporting additional kids to practice, the pool or just driving them home after an afternoon play date. It's especially important when you're transporting kids that you understand the type of seat that’s needed for each child based on her age and guestimated weight and height plus how to properly install each of those seats. This doesn’t just apply to babies and toddlers. Kids are in booster seats until they’re between 8 and 12 years old. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: caring for kids, nanny, nanny front

Why Should I Offer Guaranteed Hours?

I just had a conversation with a parent hiring a nanny. The prospective nanny bought the A to Z Nanny Contract and learned from the guidebook that I recommend every nanny receive guaranteed hours. You know, where the nanny is paid for a minimum number of hours even if the family is away or doesn’t need her to work. Plus the nanny refused to be paid a salary where she’d get the same amount if she worked 45 or 50 hours. She wanted to be paid for every hour she worked. The dad wasn’t … [Read more...]

Filed Under: job search tips

What to Do When a Child Hits You

I was in a class over the weekend at my local Seattle National Nanny Training Day event. The question of what to do if a 3 year old child hits you came up. This is more common than you might think. Even the most well behaved kid can have an off day and lash out by hitting, kicking or even biting. And let’s face it, for some kids lashing out physically is their first reaction. So what’s a nanny to do? We talk about this in the Setting Real World Limits section of my Connected Centered … [Read more...]

Filed Under: nanny feed, nanny front

Practical Communication Skills for Tough Conversations with Parents

Sunday, May 5th from 5 to 6:30 PM Pacific / 8 to 9:30 PM Eastern Communicating openly, honestly and effectively with your employers is one of the hardest parts of working as a nanny. But it’s a necessity. There isn’t anyone else to advocate for you, to clarify misunderstanding, or to act as mediator during a conflict. It’s all up to you. And how well you’re able to do those things can make or break your employment relationship. In this training you’ll learn eight easy … [Read more...]

Filed Under: nanny / family relationship for nannies, nanny feed, nanny front, nanny training

Preparing Kids Hearts for Tragedies Like the Boston Bombing

As parents and nannies, it’s essential that we’re prepared to talk to our kids about tragedies like what happened today in Boston. It’s our job to reassure them, provide a safe space for them to share their feelings, ask questions, and get honest yet appropriate information. However there’s more that we can do. On days like today we have to talk to our kids about the fact that there are people in the world who purposefully hurt others. We shouldn’t have to but it’s a reality of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: caring for kids, nanny feed, parent feed, parent front