Letter from the Editor

There’s no denying that summer’s here (as anyone on the East Coast can verify), and this month’s issue is packed with great tips – many of which we found on Nanny Island. To say that things on the Island are heating up would be an understatement: we’re up to nearly 275 members, and the list keeps growing. Need a little escape? Stop by and visit…it’s 100% free to get there!

Summer, of course, can mean different schedules, with kids out of school and eager to keep you busy. In keeping with our summer theme, we’ve got a new book review for you…just perfect for a poolside read. Take a break and enjoy! You deserve it.

Whatever you do, keep cool…and enjoy this month’s issue!

Postcard from Nanny Island

From the professional to the personal, Nanny Island is the place where nannies from all over can link up with peers and talk about what matters. Live-in jitters. Day-to-day victories. It’s all there!

With the kids out of school and shifted schedules, summertime is never run of the mill – and recently, we’ve seen some great tips on keeping occupied during the dog days of summer. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Go Green: One Nanny suggested trips to the farmer’s market, where kids can learn how food is grown and develop healthy eating habits, too. Yum!
• Summer Reading: Kids of all ages get into a good story…even if it takes a little coaxing. A Nanny Islander recommended short reads, each and every day.
• Museums and More: Many museums and local institutions have family memberships that allow free admission all year long. Be sure to ask your employers!
• Beat the Heat: When it’s just too hot, a family-friendly movie and popcorn hit the spot.
• Do as the Fish Do: By and away the most popular response…who doesn’t love a refreshing swim?!

Have some tips of your own? Take a break at Nanny Island and let other nannies know what you’re thinking.

Poolside Read: "Yes I Can and I Will"

The following is an abridged excerpt from Lesa Day’s

How to Get Your Child to Say…”Yes I Can and I Will”

What are the 5 1/2 C’s?

I created this in a way that would be simple to remember and allow you to follow through on an ongoing basis in your home with your children.  Not necessarily easy to implement, but with some self-discipline, you can do it.

The first C is CREATE the structure in your home.  Think about what you’d like your child to complete, what good habits you are trying to get them to form and make a list. An example would be taking shoes off and putting them in a certain place when they come into the house; taking care of their dishes when they are finished eating; or completing schoolwork. Where will they do their homework, and at what time?

After you’ve created a plan that you and your children can follow, then you take time to sit with your children and communicate with them the plan and the expectations you have.  Thus the second C is COMMUNICATION.

For example, let’s say I’m seeing that the children I’m working with are having a challenge getting all things completed in the morning before they go to school.  I will start with a list of things I know need to be completed.  The tasks are getting dressed, eating breakfast, taking care of dishes, brushing teeth, shoes and coats on and backpacks ready to walk out the door at a certain time. 
The fact that it needs to be done is a must. I think that if you approach the conversation in a way that they see your willingness to work with them as a team and your desire to help them succeed, they are very likely to cooperate with you.

The third C is CONSISTENCY and the most important one to follow through with.  If you keep he consistency of the plan going for a month, then your child will have developed new habits that eventually will just become natural to them without you having to say anything. This is when you can start “fading out” some of your supervision, allowing them to enjoy their new found grown up status.

The fourth C is CHARACTER building.  All during the time that you are teaching and modeling for your child on how to do certain tasks, they are learning and growing to become responsible individuals. 
They take pride in their accomplishments because you are a team; they are becoming a valued member in the household. 

The fifth (and a half) C is COVER their character building WITH COMPASSION and lots of CHEERING. This is very important because there will be times when they will not want to do something you’re asking them to do.  When they understand that you know how they feel and there may be days when you don’t feel like it either, they realize they don’t have to like everything.

Lesa Day has been coaching families in the private sector for the past 18 years.  Prior to that she was a social worker specializing in helping disabled adults.  Lesa has coached individuals in the areas of time management, personal development and leadership, but her heart is for impacting the next generation.  Visit her website at www.yesIcanandIwill.com for more information and helpful insights. To order Lesa’s book, click here.

Make Your Voice Heard: Join the INA

Become a member of the International Nanny Association today. The INA is the umbrella organization for the in-home child care industry. Please support the efforts of the association so that we have a cohesive "voice" as an industry. Start your membership today so that everyone benefits! Visit the INA website for more details!

Congress States that Nannies are NOT Independent Contractors

Recent legislation handed down by Congress has deemed that nannies are emphatically not Independent Contractors, but household employees. Part of H.R. 5804, the Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and Consistency Act of 2008, this could have huge implications for employers, sharply increasing penalties for those who do not classify their nannies according to federal guidelines.

Join the discussion at The Nanny Buzz, where you’ll find tips and hints from nannies and experts, insight into the latest nanny news, and a forum where you can connect with other nannies and families.

Ask the Experts: Nanny Raises
Pat Cascio, Morningside Nannies

Q: My nanny has been taking care of my 2 ½-year-old for seven months now. I am expecting a second child in 2 ½ months. What is the typical raise, if any, given to a nanny who's responsibility increases from taking care of one child to taking care of two children?

Our nanny will be working for us for 10 months by the time the second child comes. I will be working two less days a week (from 5 to 3 days) when the second child comes and my first child will be attending nursery school in the fall two mornings a week.

A: There really isn't a "typical" raise, since every nanny job is different. It sounds like you don't have a Work Agreement with your nanny, or if you do, you never addressed salary increases. What I do know is, a second child dramatically changes the dynamic in a home, not just among family members, but for the nanny as well. It's not so much the extra work, but the change in your nanny's daily routine, dealing with sibling rivalry, a post-partum mom – and in your situation, a part-time-at-home mom. Your nanny's job description will be changing pretty significantly.

I will assume that the essence of your question is how to make sure your nanny is happy with all the upcoming changes. For starters, I would sit down and talk with her. Start now, mapping out what the daily routine will be like. Determine who will be in charge when both of you are there. Ask her how she feels about you being there a few days a week and discuss any concerns she may have. It's common for experienced nannies to prefer to work independently, but with sensitivity and consideration on both of your parts, it can work.

Back to the issue of the raise. I am a firm believer that parents – to the extent that they are able – should pay their nanny at the top of the range (in your area), or more – and here's why; You want the person who cares for your children to feel that she has a Great job, a job that she wants to remain in as long as possible, a job she wants to be able to brag to her friends and family about. You want continuity for your family. Talk with your nanny to get a sense of how she's feeling about the upcoming changes. Ask what her expectations are for a salary increase. Find out what the pay range is in your area for a nanny caring for two small children. You should be able to make a decision based on all of the information you have gathered. If you don't have a work agreement with your nanny, now would be a good time to get that done. Good luck and congratulations on your new baby!

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