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---------------------Nanny Net News------------------------
A newsletter for Parents, Nannies and Agency Owners
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Vol. 2, No. 7
July 2001
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Deborah Smith, Editor
Parents With Nannies, Inc.
Deborah@4Nanny.com
This newsletter is distributed by subscription only. If you
wish to unsubscribe, you can find instructions at the end of
this newsletter.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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> A Note from the Editor
> July Sweepstakes
> Getting Off to a Good Start
by Anne Douglas
From her book, The Unofficial Guide to Childcare
> Backyard Swimming Pool Safety
> Ask the Experts Q & A
> A NannyClassifieds.com Success Story
> MUST SEE SITES
> GREAT DEALS
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Hello everyone,
I hope you enjoy this month's issue. We have some great
articles for your reading pleasure. The "Swimming
Pool Safety" article took on a whole new meaning for me
just yesterday during a visit to a friend's house. My
three year old was playing with Daddy on our friend's beach,
they had come up from the beach to hose off their feet and
go into the pool. My husband hosed my son's feet first.
As he was then washing his own feet he heard a splash.
My three year old had boldly jumped into the deep end.
The only trouble was, he wasn't wearing his water wings.
This just goes to show you how tragedy can happen within
seconds. My husband turned around and saw my son sinking
to the bottom. He yelled, jumped in and brought him to
the surface. Luckily, my son was fine except for being
very scared. My friends and I were sitting just feet away
and never realized anything was wrong until my husband screamed.
My son's teary words to me were, "Mommy, why'd I do that?"
I knew why. He thought he had his wings on. And this was
such a clear example of the "false confidence" I have always
heard about in regard to floatation devices. I had heard
all the warnings but never realized their importance until
now. Needless-to-say, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night
mulling over what could have happened if someone hadn't been
right there. I know I learned a lesson, thankfully with no
tragic consequences. So, I hope you all will read the
"Swimming Pool Safety" article written by
Dr. Mark A. Brandenburg an Emergency Physician
at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Take it from
me, it's worthy of your time.
As many of you know, I had my son Connor on May 5th.
My life has been a wirlwind of bottles
and diaper changes ever since. To top it off, we're getting
ready to move so I am letting everyone know that next month's
newsletter will arrive in your inbox a few days early. In order
to do this, we have to push up the closing date of this
month's sweepstakes to July 27th so get your entry in
early.
I hope you all have a great month. Wish me luck in surviving
the next 30 days or so. :)
Deborah Smith
Editor
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JULY SWEEPSTAKES
The International Nanny Association has donated 2
copies of "Beyond Peanut Butter and Jelly" for our
July Sweepstakes.
This fun filled book covers everything from Munchies to complete
holiday dinners. Just look what's inside!
Greens, Beans and Buns - Vegetables, Side Dishes and Breads;
A Spoonful of Sugar - Desserts; Future Chefs - Kids Cooking
Make a Wish - Birthday Theme Parties and Move Over, Picasso - Crafts!
To enter to win your copy of Beyond Peanut Butter and Jelly
follow this link: http://4EverythingNanny.com/Sweepstakes.htm
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GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START
An Excerpt from The Unofficial Guide to Childcare
by Anne Douglas
While the work agreement that you and your caregiver prepare
should be as comprehensive as possible, you should also plan
to be on hand during her first few days on the job so that you
can help her to get to know your child and familiarize her with
your household routines.
If you have more than one child, you might want to arrange
to introduce them to the caregiver one at a time. This will let
each child spend a little one-on-one time with the caregiver -
something that's beneficial to both the caregiver and the child.
If, on the other hand, one of your children is particularly
fearful of strangers, you might decide that she would benefit
from the reassurance of having a sibling close by.
This orientation period is particularly important if your
caregiver is coming from overseas or another part of the
country - so important, in fact, that the United States
Information Agency (USIA) insists that host families be on
hand for at least three days following the au pair's arrival.
Your relationship with your child's caregiver will get off
to a good start if your orientation covers each of the following
elements:
* a review of the contents of the work agreement
* a discussion about what types of discipline you do and do not consider appropriate to your child's
stage of development
* a tour of your home to familiarize the caregiver with the location and functioning of household
equipment (for example, the dishwasher, the microwave, and so on.) and to indicate which areas
of the home she is welcome to be in (the kitchen and livingroom, but not your room.)
*a discussion of safety procedures in the home (fire evacuation procedures, where toxic substances
and any other harmful materials are stored, pro-
cedures for answering the door, guidelines for bathtub
and swimming pool safety: and so on)
*a tour of the neighborhood to familiarize her with
the location of your child's friends' homes, the local
playground, the doctor's office, the hospital, and so
on
* an overview of daily routines (when your child wakes
up in the morning, what he has for breakfast, how much help
he needs with tooth brushing and other personal hygiene
tasks, and so on)
*a discussion about how she can go about contacting you
and your partner while you're at work (should she have
you paged whenever she has a question or only in
emergency situations?)
Because you will be covering a great deal of information
in a very short time, you might want to provide your caregiver
with some written notes summarizing the material you cover
during the orientation. You should also plan to schedule
a series of follow up meetings so she can obtain answers to
any questions that arise once she actually gets into the job.
BRIGHT IDEA
You might want to ask your caregiver to keep a daily log book
describing your child's activities for the day - what she ate,
how long she napped, and so on. In addition to providing you
with valuable feedback about how well your child is adjusting
to the new care arrangement, it can become a precious keepsake
that records your child's growth and development over time.
Anne Douglas is an experienced journalist from Ontario, Canada
whose work regularly appears in such publications as The
Chicago Tribune, Cottage Life, and Canadian Living. A mother
of four young children, Ann is the author of the new Unofficial
Guide to Having a Baby.
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Related resources:
Notebook for Nanny
Here is a great way to help her get acquainted with your family,
your area, your kids' favorite places, and all your "vital"
info like emergency numbers and directions.
http://www.4EverythingNanny.com/notebook_for_nanny.htm
Daily Log Sheet
http://www.4EverythingNanny.com/daily_log.htm
Training Your Nanny
http://www.4EverythingNanny.com/nanny_training.shtml
==========================================================
Backyard Swimming Pool Safety
(From CHILD SAFE:
A Practical Guide for Preventing Childhood Injuries)
There is no greater way to cool off on a hot afternoon
than to jump into a refreshing pool. But the dangers
of swimming pools cannot be overlooked. Over 350 children
less than 5 years of age drown in swimming pools.
Approximately 90 percent of child drownings involve swimming
pools and 60-70 percent occurs in ground level residential pools.
And it is not just your own pool that can be dangerous. About
50 percent of child drownings occur in the backyard pools of
neighbors, family members or friends.
If you have an infant, toddler or preschooler at home,
a home swimming pool is dangerous. And it's not just in-ground
pools that are hazardous. Yes, aboveground pools are much safer
because access is easier to control, but they are still hazardous
to unsupervised children. If you are thinking about building a
pool in your backyard, consider the risks to the young children
around you. My recommendation- wait until your child is at least
six years old and has taken formal swimming lessons. Then, if
you still want a pool- go for it. Just be sure to learn the
important safety rules.
Fences
A fence around your pool is a critical factor in drowning
prevention. Pools without fences are much more dangerous because
access to unsupervised children cannot be controlled. Several
features on your fence must be present to make it an effective
barrier.
*First and foremost, surround the pool completely with a wooden
fence at least five feet high.
*Have your fence built so the vertical slats are no greater
than three-and-a-half inches apart.
*Install a self-closing and self-latching gate. Be sure the
latch is no less than 54" from the ground and faces the pool.
This will prevent an exploring toddler from reaching up and
disengaging it.
*Never let the back of your house lead directly to the pool.
I know of one toddler who crawled through a pet-door and nearly
drowned in a backyard pool. Other points of exit from a house
are doors and windows. If your home leads directly to the pool
area without a fence in between, be certain the doors and windows
remain secure at all times to ensure that your exploring toddler
does not venture out when you aren't looking. And as soon as
possible, construct a fence in between your pool and house.
Pool Rules
Teaching Safety Whether you belong to a local swim club or
have a pool in your own backyard, your older child will probably
be splashing away once the summer heat arrives. Begin teaching
the tenants of water safety as early as possible; and be patient
and persistent. You will no doubt recite the safety rules to her
many times before they sink in. Follow the important poolside
safety rules listed below.
*Always, always, always supervise your child. Never leave an
infant, toddler or preschooler alone while in or near a pool.
Some parents who know this rule forget it when the doorbell or
telephone rings- this is precisely the moment that many child
drownings occur. Remember that it takes less than 30 seconds
for a child to drown.
*Keep a telephone and important phone numbers at the poolside.
*When your pool is not in use, put toys and floatation devices
away, so they will not attract young children to the water.
Keep the pool grounds free of toys, tricycles, wagons and debris
when not being used- they can also entice young children into the
area.
*Keep the pool grounds well lighted at night.
*Always close and latch the gate when coming and going onto the
pool grounds.
*Keep the essential rescue items near the pool at all times (i.e.
life preserver, buoy and shepherd's hook).
*Take a CPR course and stay up-to-date on rescue techniques so you
will always be prepared to save a young life.
*Never let your child swim alone, even when she is older.
*Don't allow running on the pool grounds.
*Restrict diving to the diving board and only into the deep
end of the pool. At least eight feet of water is necessary
for safe diving.
*Never allow diving into aboveground pools.
*Don't allow roughhousing (i.e. dunking, pushing or wrestling)
on the pool grounds.
*Never allow swimming at night, in rainy weather or in
thunderstorms.
Pool Maintenance
Certain methods of maintaining and covering your pool can
also be dangerous to children. Follow these tips for added
child safety.
*Store all cleaning chemicals in a locked location. High
concentrations of chlorine gas can be produced when these
chemicals are mixed with water. If inhaled, chlorine gas
can cause rapid damage to the lungs and airway of a child.
*Always keep children far away from the pool when adding
chemicals.
*Place a sturdy cover over your pool in the off season.
*Don't let water accumulate on the cover. A young toddler
can drown in the small amounts of water that collect on a
soft cover.
*Be sure to secure the cover on all sides and corners so a
child cannot slip beneath it.
Baby Pools
A baby pool can be a very safe alternative for your child
but it's important to recognize the dangers. Baby pools
also pose a risk of drowning to infants, so close supervision
is still a must. Truth is, they are best suited for older
toddlers and only under close supervision.
*Never place a baby pool inside the fence of an adult pool.
A young child could easily wander from a baby pool over to
the big pool during a brief lapse of supervision.
*Always empty your baby pool as soon as you are through using it.
*Store a baby pool upside down to dry. Just be aware that an
unsupervised infant could crawl beneath and get trapped.
Inflatable Swimming Aids
Flotation devices tend to give parents a false sense of
security. They are not substitutes for close supervision.
Toddlers can also become overconfident if they wear floatation
devices. I once treated a three-year-old named Ryan who
nearly drowned in a neighbor's pool after boldly jumping in.
When I asked him what happened, he sadly replied, "I forgot
to wear my floaties". Poor Ryan not only experienced a
life-threatening event, but he thought it was his fault.
Remember there is usually nothing inherently bad in such
toys, as long as they are not used in lieu of close supervision.
*Do not be lulled into thinking your child can swim unsupervised
just because he is wearing a life jacket, water wings or a water
ring.
*When your child is in the water be sure you are always within
arms reach, even if he is wearing an inflatable swimming aid.
The wonderful truth is that every year millions of children
safely splash the summer months away in private and public
swimming pools across the country. Follow these basic rules
and you will help ensure that the children in your life always
enjoy safe swimming.
There's plenty more to know about swimming safety and drowning
prevention, and it is covered thoroughly in CHILD SAFE.
Hope everybody has an enjoyable and safe summer.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Brandenburg, MD
Emergency Physician at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Board Certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine
Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM)
Author of CHILD SAFE: A Practical Guide for Preventing
Childhood Injuries
Go to http://www.BabyandChildSafety.com for information
about this wonderful parenting book.
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ASK THE EXPERTS Q & A
Q: If you hire a nanny knowing it is only for a few years do you need to
consider giving her unemployment when she is no longer needed.
A: Assuming your nanny is being paid "on the books", you are paying federal
and state unemployment insurance as a part of the household employment tax
process. Unemployment benefits are provided by your state tax agencies to
every worker when they find themselves out of a job, as long as
unemployment taxes have been paid throughout the employment. Here's how it
works: If an employee loses her job due to no fault of her own, she
qualifies for unemployment benefits. She will qualify unless she is fired
for cause or quits. She will apply for unemployment benefits through the
state and she can qualify for up to 50% of her salary while she is
unemployed - up to a certain number of weeks.
If an employee is not paid "on the books" and she files for unemployment
benefits (assuming they are available to her throughout the state), both
employer and employee will "get caught" for back taxes plus penalties and
interest within 30 days.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us.
Stephanie Breedlove
Breedlove & Associates
1-888-BREEDLOVE
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A NANNYCLASSIFIEDS.COM SUCCESS STORY
SUCCESS STORIES:
Thank you so much for providing the Nanny Classifieds
service. I have had many inquiries to the ad which I
placed about three weeks ago. I appreciate the ability
to search the "help wanted" section while, at the same
time, letting potential employers read my ad. It is indeed
a valuable service. Liz
We placed an ad but actually found someone by viewing
previously posted nanny resumes. We received several
responses to our ad that we would have followed up on
if necessary.
I would recommend the service to anyone.
Thanks, John
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T-SHIRTS FOR THE NANNY AND KIDS IN YOUR LIFE!
Notice:
If you're thinking about ordering a t-shirt or sweatshirt
in the next few weeks or so, please do so now.
Our shop will be closed for the first few weeks of August!!!
Thanks
http://www.4nanny.com/products.htm
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MUST SEE SITES
http://www.kidconcoctions.com/menu.htm
Learn how to make kid friendly concoctions for next to nothing.
http://daycare.about.com/parenting/daycare/cs/summeractivities/index.htm
An unbelievable amount of links to summer activities for the kids.
http://www.littleswimmers.com/
Beach Bag checklist
Fun water games for your little one & much more
Visit http://theshoppersdream.com and find all your shopping
needs all in one place! A family oriented Mall! Safe! Secure!
moms-home-work.com
Moms@ Home Working searches and finds "your perfect balance between work and
family". Subscribe to our Free Daily Ezine to receive WAH Jobs, Business
articles and tips, Freebies and more! Mailto:
momsworkingathome-subscribe@onelist.com
raisingadaughter.com
Since she didn't come with an "instruction manual"...
www.RaisingADaughter.com will help you get through each day!
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GREAT DEALS
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Learning Adventures (TM) that Child Magazine highlights as
a "gotta-have 'em, can't live without 'em" parent product!
Brighter Vision invites you to try out the LEARNING ADVENTURES
program with a free shipment of educational books and activities
that are worth over $20. Get fun, educational, and age
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1 through 6 for success in school. Click here for this free offer!
http://www.learningadventures.com/4nanny-DXT4
NANNYPAY 2001
NannyPay® is a sophisticated, yet easy to use Windows®
95/98/NT payroll program for household employers. Using
NannyPay, household employers can calculate all federal
and state withholding taxes for their nanny and other
domestic employees, and print paystubs and liability reports.
Download a FREE 30 Day Demo here: http://www.4nanny.com/np01.exe
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I hope you have enjoyed this month's issue of Nanny Net News.
Please feel free to pass this e-zine along to your friends.
However, we ask that you keep it intact and forward it in its
entirety.
************************************************************
Copyright - 1999-2001 Parents With Nannies,Inc.
http://www.4EverythingNanny.com
http://www.NannyClassifieds.com
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