1. Constant illnesses – One of the first signs to watch for is constant illnesses. Spreading germs in a daycare is pretty much inevitable, but overcrowding only makes it worse. If your child is continually sick, this could be a problem with the daycare facility being stretched to its limits.
2. Behavioral problems – Another common problem with overcrowded daycares is lack of supervision. This can lead to behavioral problems if left unchecked. Children can become argumentative, defiant and unruly if left unsupervised for long periods of time.
3. Injuries – Children who experience overcrowding in local daycares are prone to more injuries. These can often be minor things like scratches and bruises or more major concerns such as cuts or burns. Lack of supervision can lead to kids fighting amongst themselves or getting into things they shouldn’t be allowed to.
4. Stalled development – Without adequate emphasis on learning and activities, children from overcrowded daycares can have stalled development. They need constant interaction and stimulation to develop new skills and progress normally, which can be hard to do when teachers are constantly trying to manage too many children.
5. Children not being clean – If your child is often grubby when you pick him up from the daycare, this could be another sign of overcrowding. It’s difficult to keep active kids clean all the time, but if this is a common occurrence, it could be a cause for concern.
6. High turnover rate – Local daycare facilities with a high child turnover rate could also be a sign of overcrowding. Some parents may be forced to place their children in a less desirable facility until there’s an opening elsewhere. These daycares may also take on too many kids because of the volatile client base.
7. Owner is stressed – Another sign of daycare overcrowding is when the owner is in a perpetual state of distress. Trying to care for too many children day after day and keep up the illusion that nothing is amiss must be very stressful, and will eventually wear on even the most composed of people.
8. Unsanitary conditions – A common thing parents and daycare inspectors look for in daycare facilities is unsanitary conditions. This is not always a good indicator because overcrowded facilities can be kept spotlessly clean while others are not. However it is something to watch for.
9. Difficulty keeping staff – Overcrowded local daycares often have trouble keeping staff. If you notice constant staff changes at a facility that could be another warning sign. Caring for too many children and trying to hide it from others is not a job anyone wants to do for very long.
10. Headcount – Of course the most obvious sign of overcrowding is to get an accurate headcount of children being cared for and the number of staff. You then need to check with your state standards to find out what the acceptable limits are. Your own personal standards must also be considered when making a determination.

It pays to do your homework when trying to find an acceptable local daycare. Check with other parents and children of the daycare you’re interested in. Take time to observe them during the day instead of just talking to the owner after regular hours. Overcrowding is a major concern and has lead to at least one death of an infant. The safety of your child is the most important consideration when deciding on which local daycare to use.

1. Water color pencils – These pencils provide brilliant color. Once the picture is laid out in pencil, a brush and a little water will turn it into a beautiful water color picture. Your child will enjoy the change that takes place when they dip the brush in the water and apply it to the drawing.
2. Bath tub paints – Who says you need paper and brushes to paint? Bath time is the perfect time to paint up a storm. Bath paints come in a rainbow of colors and what’s really cool is that your kids get to have a lot of fun while they are getting clean.
3. Outdoor painting station – Tempera paints can be rather messy, but if the weather allows, why not set up an outdoor painting station on the lawn? Cover a card table with a drop cloth or news paper; provide an assortment of tempera paints, brushes, paper and some water for rinsing out the brushes. Clean up is a snap and you don’t have to worry about paint getting on the floor or walls.
4. Pudding finger paints – For this fun treat you will need a box of instant pudding and a tray or big plastic plate. Make the pudding according to the directions. Take some and put it on the tray or plate. Let your little one have at it. This is especially nice for very young kids, since it provides sensory stimulation and edible ‘paint’ ads extra fun to their artistic endeavors.
5. Paint by number kits – Older children may enjoy working on a paint-by-number picture. Usually all materials are provided in the kit and the only thing you will need to do is cover the working area with a drop cloth or newspaper.
6. Water color crayons – Like their pencil counterparts, water color crayons provide rich color and work out into pretty washes when a wet brush is applied. Again, you don’t need to worry about spilled paint, since your child is working with crayons and water.
7. Washable water colors – A few art supply companies make washable water colors for budding artists who want the real thing. These paints wash out of clothing, but for ease of cleanup, you may still want to cover your child with a painting smock.
8. Marble pictures – This painting activity can be a lot of fun for kids and doesn’t make a lot of mess. You will need a shoe box, a marble or little ball, paper to fit in the shoe box and paint. Put the paper in the bottom of the shoe box and drop blobs of paint on the paper. Put the marble or ball in the box and tilt the box in different directions. You will see an interesting picture develop as the marble rolls though the paint picking up various colors.
9. Painter’s tape resist – This is a fun activity that shouldn’t get too messy. You will need painter’s tape, paint and brushes and paper. Cover the working area with newspaper or a drop cloth. Use the painter’s tape to make designs or shapes on the paper. Paint on the paper and over the tape then let the piece dry. Once the paper is completely dry, carefully peel the tape off to reveal the full picture. Kids love seeing the results of this resist method.
10. Bubble painting – This is another fun and not terribly messy project. You will need some bubble liquid, a straw, food coloring, paper and small containers – plastic bottle caps will do. Cover your working area. Pour a small amount of bubble liquid in a bottle cap and add barely a drop of food coloring and mix. Take one end of the straw and dip it in the color. Blow a bubble close to the paper so that the bubble touches the paper. Do this with different colors and watch what happens.

Finding creative, but not too messy ways to indulge your child’s muse isn’t difficult. The important thing is to keep nurturing the child’s creativity. Preparing the work space and having the right materials all gathered together before you start the activity can make the process fun with very little mess.

1. Family time – Meals are traditionally family time and kids eating alone are deprived of this basic staple of family life. It’s a time to share the ups and downs of the day and strengthen family connections. Children who eat meals alone are really missing out.
2. Supervision – It’s not a good idea to let kids eat unsupervised. Parents want to make sure their kids are getting proper nutrition and not giving their food to the family pet. Children eating alone aren’t going to know the difference between what’s right and wrong during meal times if there isn’t someone there to point it out.
3. Eat too fast – Kids who eat alone are much more likely to eat too fast. They’ll wolf down something in front of the television instead of taking breaks for conversation. A parent in attendance will notice if their kids are eating too fast and get them to slow down.
4. Eat too much – A big problem with eating too fast is eating too much. Kids eating alone are prone to overeat by not giving their food time to register in their brain that they’re full. Parental supervision can help kids learn good portion control.
5. Table manners – Kids aren’t going to learn proper table manners if they consistently eat alone. At least one parent should be there to point out proper etiquette as they grow older. Hopefully by the time they’re adults they won’t embarrass themselves while eating in a formal situation.
6. Bad habits – Unsupervised children are bound to develop bad eating habits. Parents are famous for pointing out things like eating with your mouth open or talking with your mouth full. Kids also must learn to take smaller bites and chew their food properly.
7. Weight problems – Studies have shown that kids who eat alone are much more likely to develop weight problems. The combination of bad eating habits and unhealthy food choices, among other factors, leads to children being overweight.
8. Eating disorders – These studies have also concluded that kids are more likely to develop eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia if they consistently eat alone. Parental supervision can help prevent these disorders from becoming a problem.
9. Eat healthier – Families who eat together tend to eat healthier. They make better food choices and are much more likely to have home cooked meals. Parents can make sure their kids are eating something healthy instead of high fat junk food.
10. Conversation – Meal time is a perfect setting for family conversation. There’s nothing like sitting together and sharing a meal to promote a lively discussion. Eating with your kids is the best time to find out what’s on their minds.

Family meals don’t always have to be the evening meal. Maybe breakfast fits into the schedule better than dinner, so each family will have to decide what works best for them. If this can’t be arranged every day, at least 3 to 5 times a week can suffice. Parents may need to take turns, but the most important thing is to make an effort. Leaving children to persistently eat alone is only asking for trouble down the road. Sharing family meals will help your kids to live a happier and healthier life.

1. Physically Active Pastime – Though American children are coming under fire for their sedentary lifestyle and dependence on technology, there are plenty of kids who crave an outlet for their boundless energy. Hitting the skating rink is a great way to burn off that energy while having fun.
2. Inclement Weather-Proof – Unlike many other school break and weekend activities, a trip to the skating rink won’t be canceled due to bad weather. These indoor fun facilities almost always have a snack bar for refreshments, making an off-site snack break unnecessary.
3. Social Interaction – Kids that are a bit too young for group outings but too old for arranged play-dates love visiting the skating rink with their friends. Parents can supervise from a respectful distance, leaving kids to feel a bit of independent social interaction.
4. Games and Races – Most skating rinks stage races or skating-related games throughout the day at scheduled intervals. These activities can keep kids interested for an entire afternoon, without a single cry of boredom.
5. The Pride of Learning a New Skill – Younger kids who are just learning to skate love their visits to the rink because they can show off their newly-acquired skill. This boost in self-esteem can often spill over into other areas, leaving kids confident and ready to tackle new things.
6. Improving Their Skills – After kids become established skaters, there’s still always room for improvement. Learning to skate backwards, at high speeds or perform other tricks keeps them interested in honing their skills.
7. Competing With Their Friends – Because they’re competitive by nature, kids love to challenge their friends to races and other displays of skill at the skating rink. This good-natured competition inspires kids to try their best, and to tenaciously pursue their goals.
8. Building a Peer Group Outside of School – The community skating rink can often be a social hub for kids from several different schools, allowing them to widen their social circle and make new friends.
9. Couples’ Skate – Puppy love might be unsettling for some parents, but it’s an almost unavoidable part of childhood. Innocently skating hand-in-hand during the Couples’ Skate might irk some of the grown-ups and charm others, but it’s certainly one of the things that tweens and young teens like best about an afternoon at the rink.
10. Age-Appropriate Throughout Childhood and Teen Years – Very few activities are age-appropriate from toddlerhood to high school, but roller skating is one of them. A quick glance around a busy roller rink is enough to register the fact; little ones inching forward cautiously with the help of a parent while older kids and teenagers glide by effortlessly. When other interests are set aside for fear of teasing or seeming “babyish,” roller skating is one that kids can hold on to.

Name and Contact Info: Believe it or not, you would be surprised how many people forget to put a phone number on their resume or even update their email address. Now days you can skip putting your address on the resume but be sure that you name is bold and at the top followed by a correct and up to date phone number and email address.

Summary: The summary is a short and quick overview of you. This is a chance to tell the parent who you are and what you want. Keep the summary under 4 sentences. Remember it’s your time to brag about yourself, no need to be shy at this point.

Education: Depending on how long you have been in the work force; put your education and what was completed. Example if you have been working for 20 years no need to put your high school education on there, stick with the post high school education. Be sure to state what you studied and a GPA is always good if it is something you are proud of.

Work Experience: Begin with your most current job, put your position title and the dates you were employed there. Then bullet point your exact job duties. Parents want to see what you have done in the past and what you can do for them in the future. Be prepared for questions like your ‘reasons for leaving’ your last position.

Certifications/Qualifications: This is very important to a parent. They want to know that you are capable of performing an emergency task like CPR. If you are not certified, go do it now! Also if you have any computer certifications that could potentially help the parent out, then that is an added bonus.

Interests: Writing your interests will help the parent to get to know your personal side. So writing down things like photography, cooking and traveling will give the parent a chance to bond with you on a common interest. This will also intrigue the parents in what new things you can expose their children too.

References:  This is your lifeline. These references are the ones that the parents care about the most when hiring a nanny. Give 2 to 4 references.  Consider giving a past employer that you are still friendly with as a reference. A family friend or a fellow worker from the volunteer work you do is also good. Give the name, relation and contact information for each reference. And don’t forget to notify your reference that they should be expecting phone calls.

Now that you have buffed up your resume and updated it with your information get out there and find a job! Happy job hunting!

1. Pen holder – Any tall, thin container can be turned into a pen holder. Old coffee cans, jars, and even drinking glasses can be used. Cover the outside in interesting fabric or paper or paint it. It is as simple as that. Personalized pen holders make great gifts for office workers and add an exciting touch of color.
2. Paperweight – Virtually anything weighty can be used as a paperweight. For an entertaining kid-friendly project, find several hefty rocks and clean them off. If they are smooth, then have the kids drawn on them with markers or paint or even decorate the rocks with sticky eyes, making their own rock pets. If the rocks are too uneven then they can be covered in material, painted with acrylics, or decoupaged. Monster or alien paperweights are a hit with little boys.
3. Cookies in a jar – There are many variants to this simple standard- soup in a jar, chili in a jar- you get the idea. Whatever food your child likes best; they can make an enjoyable, attractive ‘kit’. All they need is a large mason jar with a lid and a few ingredients. By neatly layering the ingredients, the jar becomes an objet d’art as well as an easy-to-make meal. Embellish the jar with lively material over the lid or painted patterns along the glass. Make sure that you include a recipe so everyone knows how to recreate the treat later!
4. Bird bath or feeder – Do you have a clay pot and saucer hanging around? Yes? Well, your child can make a bird bath. Durable and easy to work with, clay pots provide a great medium for many art projects. Have the child turn the pot over and attach the saucer on the ‘bottom’ of the pot. Presto, they have a birdbath. You can even leave it unattached or unglued if the saucer is heavy enough to stay on by itself. That way it is easier to empty out the old water and refill it. Your child can paint or use markers to adorn the pot. Have them fill it with birdseed instead to make a simple birdfeeder.
5. Wind chimes – There are countless ways to make stunning wind chimes. One of the more stress-free is with a small clay pot, a rope, and a sea shell. Have the child turn the pot upside down and thread the rope through the drainage hole. Have them tie a knot large enough that the rope will not fall back through. Then, using a portion of fishing line, have them tie a sea shell to the knot, making sure it is suspended halfway out of the bottom of the pot. Hang the pot up outside and listen to the pleasant chimes. For more color, have the child paint or draw on the pot and even decorate the sea shell.
6. Treasure box - Any box will do. Old shoe boxes, gift boxes, any box with a lid can make a great treasure box. Have the kids decorate it with stickers, colorful paper, material, or even macaroni and they have a fun place to store the little odds and ends they pick up.
7. Collage – Wall art was never easier. Using old magazines and photos have children decorate a piece of poster board with all their favorite things, people, and places. Include the year somewhere on there and they can make a timeline of their interests and adventures. A perianal activity that will bring back great memories as they get older.
8. Journal – A personalized journal is a great way to get kids writing. A plain spiral notebook can be turned into an exciting work of art. Just have kids collage or decoupage the cover, adding their own personality to the notebook.
9. Storybook – Similar to a journal, a storybook is a great way to encourage artistic expression and creativity. Have children write their own story with illustrations and then bind it together in a book that they created. Thick paper, like construction paper, works best to keep the book together. Simply use a hole puncher and some yarn to tie it together.
10. Fun with boxes – A large box can become anything your kids desire. A spaceship, a doll house, a car, no matter what they are interested in, a cardboard box can become it. All it takes is some markers or crayons and a little imagination. You can help out by cutting windows and doors, and the box can even become a robot or alien costume in a pinch. Let your kids go crazy and see what they come up with.

It doesn’t take a lot of money to come up with fun, creative crafts for kids to do. Great for rainy days and holidays, kids will have fun using their imagination to create new things out of everyday ITEMS. You can even give some of their creations as gifts.

Holiday Themed Popcorn Crafts

You can use popcorn to make crafts for just about every holiday in the book, but here are some of the more popular holiday-themed crafts that contain popcorn:

Halloween Witches Hand

These are a fun way to bring treats to your child’s classroom in celebration of Halloween. All you need are clear plastic gloves, ribbon, popcorn, candy corn, glue, and maybe some plastic spider rings for effect. Start by gluing the candy corn onto each of the fingertips for Halloween-inspired fingernails. Once you’ve popped your popcorn and let it cool stuff it into the plastic gloves until you have a full hand of popcorn. To make it fit into the fingers easily you may need to break up a couple of pieces. Then tie off the glove with some ribbon and add a spider ring onto one of the fingers and you’ll have a fun witch’s hand.

Popcorn Garlands

I’m pretty sure that just about everyone has made popcorn garlands at some point growing up, and if you didn’t this is the perfect time to start a new Christmas tradition! Popcorn garlands are incredibly easy to make – once you’ve popped your popcorn and let it cool down you simply need to thread a sewing needle and begin sticking the needle through the popcorn. Make sure that you aim for the middle of the kernel and then work the popcorn down to the end of the string. Continue adding popcorn until you have a full garland and then decorate your tree.

Popcorn Ball Ornaments

Popcorn ornaments can be made two different ways, but to do the most kid-friendly version that doesn’t require hot caramel and melted chocolate (I know, that sounds WAY better!) you need a Styrofoam ball, ribbon, glue, popcorn and any other embellishments you  may want to add in, such as jewels or berries. It’s an easy, easy craft. Start by gluing a loop of ribbon onto the ball to make a homemade ornament hook. Then hot glue popcorn to the Styrofoam ball. You will need to hold down on each piece for a few seconds. Add on your extras once the popcorn is in place and you are ready to add them to the tree. Paired with the popcorn garland you could have a popcorn-themed Christmas tree!

Fun Popcorn Treats

If you’re looking to spice up a regular popcorn treat with some flair, here are two perfect recipes to do just that:

Colorful Popcorn – What kid doesn’t love to make their foods colorful? Green eggs and ham anyone? Popcorn is another one of those treats that you can add color to for added style. You’ll need popcorn that you pop yourself though, not the store-bought bagged kind. Heat up some oil in a pan and drop in a few drops of food coloring. When the oil is hot, add in the popcorn kernels and cover, cooking over medium heat. You’ll need to shake the pan while it’s cooking to make sure the popcorn doesn’t burn. Once it’s popped you’ll have pastel-colored popcorn! Do a couple different batches in different colors to give your kids a variety of colored popcorn to eat.

Popcorn Cakes – Made in a similar way to Rice Krispie Treats, these popcorn cakes will also need butter, marshmallows, and maybe even your kid’s favorite candy. Melt ½ cup of butter over medium heat in a large pot with 1 ½ bags of mini marshmallows. Once they’ve completely melted, add them into a large bowl containing two bags of popped popcorn and whatever candy you may want to add in. Stir it all up so that the popcorn is evenly coated, then let your kid’s form them into popcorn balls. Stick them in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to cool, and then enjoy!

Easy Crafts with Popped Popcorn

If you are in the mood to make popcorn crafts but don’t want to make them holiday-themed or there’s no holiday in sight, you’re in luck – here are two different crafts that aren’t geared towards the holidays:

Cherry Blossom Tree

All you need for this is brown construction paper, colored construction paper, glue, scissors and popcorn. You can either draw a tree on brown paper or use your child’s hand as a template and make a tree outline from his or her hand. Have them cut out the tree and paste it on colored construction paper, then glue popped popcorn onto the branches to imitate the look of cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

Popcorn Jewelry

These are made pretty much exactly the same as the Popcorn Garlands, just in varying lengths depending on the type of jewelry you want to make. You can make long or short strands of necklaces or bracelets by threading popcorn onto string. Let your little ones wear them around, and if they get hungry they have a ready-made snack just waiting! For some additional fun, you could even use colored popcorn.

Easy Crafts with Un-popped Popcorn

Making crafts with popcorns doesn’t necessarily mean popping the popcorn, here are some fun crafts to do with the popcorn kernels:

Bean bags – This is a great way to use up old fabric, and all you need is a little sewing know-how or some patience to learn. You’ll need to cut two 5” squares of fabric out (or however big you want the bean bags to be) and then sew them together with a ¼” seam. Leave enough room (about ½”) by one of the corners so that you will be able to turn it and fill it still. Once you’ve sewed most of it up, flip it right side out and fill it will popcorn kernels and then sew it completely closed. Then pass them off to your kids so they have homemade bean bags to toss around.

Tambourines – I know that keeping kids quiet is almost always the goal, but sometimes it’s fun to let them be loud and these popcorn kernel tambourines will do just that! You’ll need Styrofoam or paper plates, glue, popcorn kernels, and markers. Fill one of the plates with popcorn kernels, and then glue the other one on top. Let your kids decorate the outside with markers and then let them make some noise!

Mosaic Art – For this you will either need spray paint or multicolored popcorn kernels, depending on what you prefer. You’ll also need a pencil, paper plates, and glue. Start by separating out the popcorn kernels by color or separating them out and spray painting different groups different colors. Draw the picture you want to make on the paper plate. Then add glue to the section you want to start at and glue down the kernels using the different colors. Continue in sections until you’ve finished your picture.

Popcorn is one of those treats that are just so darn intriguing – what actually makes those little kernels pop after all? (Apparently it’s a combination of moisture and starch inside the kernel and a hard exterior shell, in case you were actually wondering.) These are just a few of the ways that you can use popcorn to make different fun crafts and treats with your kids. All of them are easy to do and let’s be honest – what kid doesn’t love getting to play with their food?!

1. Consignment shops – Like a department store, but much cheaper. The clothes are gently used and sorted by size. No digging required. Bring in your own children’s gently used clothing if they have room available and you might pick up a few dollars. Some consignment shops even offer more store credit when your clothing sells.
2. Ebay – Always a hit if you know what you need, Ebay can offer great deals all the time. There are two things to watch out for. Number one is shipping costs. The time and cost of shipping may be greater than whatever deal you get. Number two is sizing. A lot of times you can look at something and know if it will fit your child or not, but online that can be a problem. Make sure you know what the sizing is like before you buy.
3. Amazon – Similar to Ebay, Amazon is a great place to buy clothing for kids online. They offer new things at cheap prices. Again, watch out for shipping and sizing issues. However, Amazon has a great return policy and sizing charts for clothing. You can also find toys and anything else you need. With thousands of markets offered, Amazon is the go-to place for online purchases.
4. Discount stores – Stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls offer great deals- when you can get them. This is not a place to go looking for specifics. If you’re open to new ideas and a savvy shopper, they can have good bargains on current styles. Shoes are especially hard to buy without trying them on, so having the ability to do so is a great advantage over online retailers.
5. Clearance racks – Every department store has clearance racks. If you buy summer clothes in the fall and winter clothes in the spring you’ll be guaranteed to find amazing deals of up to 90 percent off. Just buy a couple sizes larger; your kids will probably fit it by the time the appropriate season rolls back around. If that’s not your cup of tea, still keep an eye out. Sometimes the stores order too much or need to make room. Sales are always available. s
6. Goodwill – Like a consignment shop, a Goodwill center will have the clothes all in order by size for you. However, they take clothes in any condition, so be prepared to see a lot of stains. That doesn’t make the clothes unusable. A quick scrub and wash and some are as good as new. Look for quality and you’ll be bound to find a few gems in the rough. Since the clothing is donated, the prices are very low.
7. Garage sales – Especially in affluent neighborhoods a garage sale can be a gold mine. Unworn shoes, clothes with the tags still on them, and jackets worn once are staples at garage sales. Early morning shoppers get the best stuff, so keep your eyes peeled if you want to find a deal. You might even be able to haggle down the prices if you buy a lot.
8. Swapping – Last but not least, swapping. Check your local newspaper or online for swapping opportunities in your area. Nothing is better than free. Take along some outgrown clothing and barter for the next size up. If you find someone with similar tastes, you can score some serious loot. Best of all, you can actually see what you’re getting before you get it. Swapping is a lot of fun for everyone involved.

Those are just eight of the ways to get new clothing for your child without breaking the bank. There are many, many more, but these will get you started. Try a few out and see what you come across. You’ll be amazed at the deals you’ll find. Happy hunting!

1. Discipline – Spanking? Time out? Consequences? Discipline is a topic, which must be discussed with nannies in great detail. A nanny must understand what is expected of her when reprimanding a child. Parents need to be aware of their children’s behavior and give the nanny specific and realistic consequences.
2. Food choices – Moms can be very strict in regards to the amount of sugar their child is allowed to eat. As a caregiver, a nanny should follow the parent’s rules. Don’t expect an honest answer, when asking a child about how much candy their mom would allow…you may not get it.
3. Bed time hours – Many children need a sleep schedule. Sometimes parents find themselves not following that schedule for a variety of reasons. A mom may keep the child up later than usual because she hasn’t spent a lot of time the child that day. Bed time hours need to be discussed between parents and nanny.
4. Nanny’s work hours – The nanny should know the hours she is expected to be on duty, when working in someone’s home. An occasional extra 20 minutes due to traffic or an emergency is understandable, but a nanny needs to know that her employer values her time.
5. Drinking when nanny’s off duty – If a nanny lives with her employers, her off duty activities should be discussed at great length. If the nanny is of legal drinking age and chooses to go out with friends, parents may need to ask that she spend the night with friends. It would be inappropriate for the children to see their nanny in a drunken state. When living with the family, there is an additional level of responsibility, which should be expected and enforced for the children’s sake.
6. 6. Nanny as a smoker – We hear a lot of information regarding the health risks of second-hand smoke. It would be irresponsible for a nanny to expect a family to allow her to smoke while on the job. It sets a bad example for the children…not to mention it smells bad. If the nanny feels she must continue to smoke, she may need to invest in a “patch” which would provide her with nicotine as needed.
7. Nanny’s off duty activities – When a nanny lives in the home of her employer, her behavior outside of their home should be discussed. The nanny’s activities should not interfere with the family’s schedule or environment. If a nanny plans on being out extremely late, she should have an alternate plan that will not disrupt a sleeping household.
8. Parents needing private time with children – Nannies should always be aware of a parent’s need to spend private time with their child. Quite often the children can become very close to their nanny and pull away from the parents. Make sure to guard against this. It is important that the parents are the child’s most important caregivers. Be respectful of chances to reconnect with their child each day. Nannies should encourage healthy strong parent child relationships.
9. Expectations – When hiring a nanny, a detailed contract should be discussed and signed. A copy should be given to parents and nanny.  This contract should be referred to when questions arise regarding what is expected of both parents and nanny. It should encompass hours, family schedules, pay, holidays, discipline, etc. A nanny cannot do her job properly if she isn’t aware of the rules. At the same time, a nanny needs to voice her standards as well. She should feel safe in her work environment, too. By sharing her thoughts, a nanny encourages parents to respect her wishes.
10. Inappropriate advances toward father of the house – Nannies should always be respectful of the parents who employ them. Any flirtatious behavior is unacceptable. A nanny’s job is to help a family remain healthy, not cause distrust or friction between parents. Any sexual advances toward one of the parents would be cause for dismissal.

As a nanny, always remember, you are the nanny…not the mother. It is your job to support your employers and their decisions, unless of course, you believe the welfare of the children is in jeopardy. Nannies should relay their concerns with the understanding that theirs is not the final decision.

1. Interaction with children – Children will spend most of their day with the nanny. Nannies have the opportunity to give them extra attention when needed. Children need a nanny who can become a friend, listening to their thoughts and fears.
2. Assist in sibling relationships – In some cases, a nanny will establish an older sibling relationship with the children she watches. Interaction with the children should prove as a positive example of how brothers/sisters should treat each other. Nannies may encourage positive interaction between the siblings, which will last throughout their life.
3. Learn about healthy family communication – A nanny should retain information and learn from each position she takes. Some families create healthy environments where communication is the key. Much can be learned from a family who is able to hold on to a close-knit feel while keeping a busy schedule.
4. Child advocates – The most important job of a nanny is to protect the child in their care. A nanny is there to care for and speak for the child. If a nanny becomes aware of anything which is concerning, she should contact child services immediately.
5. Encourage parents – Often times, parents feel guilty for the lack of time they are able to spend with their children. A nanny should always include the parents in the events of the day. Help them to feel a part of their children’s lives as much as possible.
6. Learn how to have fun again – Adults need to learn how to see the world from the eyes of a child. They naturally view it as a huge playground. Quite often adults do not see the fun that lays before us. Allowing a child to help you learn to laugh and play again is an amazing experience. We can learn a lot of from our little bundles of joy.
7. Teaching children life coping skills – Experiences in life are not all positive and enjoyable. Life ‘happens’ while we are least expecting it. Whether it is loss of a grandparent, parent or someone who is important in their life…be prepared to assist the children to deal with loss and change. Ignoring a life-altering situation is not healthy. Listen to the children. Let them know that their thoughts are important.
8. Help parents enjoy their family – When the parents return home at the end of their workday, let them receive a warm welcome. Lots of hugs, kisses and I love you’s is a much better greeting than crying and complaining. It could easily set a positive tone for the family’s evening.
9. Saving parent’s sanity – There will be days when a parent is not able to handle family situations along with the events of their day at work. A nanny should be able to recognize this and step in to assist the parents. Don’t create or allow “drama” to impact the children. Help the children to give their parents quiet “alone time” when needed.
10. Learning the importance of a family environment – Learning to work together in a family environment should teach respect, consideration and generosity. While working with a family, a nanny should be a part of educating the children on how to work as a team. Dishwashing, folding clothes and even dusting can be made fun. Children can be made to see the importance of their tasks and have pride in their work when it is completed.

Being a nanny requires a special attitude, which is taken to work with you every day. You have an opportunity to mold young lives to become kind, loving and accepting adults. The family will watch their nanny as she experiences the highs and lows of day-to-day life with them. Hopefully they will  look at their family’s growth and be thankful for their nanny’s assistance.