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Nanny Island is quickly turning into an online hotspot – and it’s no wonder. With over 200 members linked in, you’ll quickly find all kinds of insight up for grabs. Here’s just a sampling of what’s hot on the Island this month.
Dealing with the Loss of a Family Member
When a Nanny Islander posted in the forum seeking advice to help her charges through the loss of their grandfather, the outpour of support was quick and sincere. From book suggestions to simple but caring reinforcement of the basics – listen, love, and be patient – each nanny had something unique to offer.
Best Books for Kids
As we mentioned in this month’s toolbox, great reading habits start young – and our nannies seem to know it. When an Islander wrote in seeking great reads, she inspired more than a few responses. Here’s what other Islanders recommended:
- The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi & Ron Barrett
- The Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Coulter
- Classics such as Tom Sawyer, Little Women and Little Men, The Secret Garden, The Little Princess, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie series
- The American Girl series
- The Araminta Spookie series by Angie Sage
- Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton
- Picture books by Bill Martin Jr., Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Tomie de Paola, Patricia Polacco, and Chris van Allsburg
Have some tips of your own? Take a break at Nanny Island and let other nannies know what you’re thinking. |
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By Britt Michaelian,
Summer time brings lots of sun and warmth. In the heat, kids are naturally drawn to water to cool off. There are many potential dangers associated with water, mainly drowning. So, constant supervision is critical to keeping kids safe from the dangers that exist with water play. The following water safety tips will help you keep the children in your care safe and happy this summer.
- Teach children to swim at an early age. 2 years old is generally a great time to start swim lessons.
- Children should always swim with a buddy.
- Never let a child under 12 years old swim without an adult present. Children under 8 years old should be within arms reach of an adult at all times while playing or swimming in water.
- Choose to swim at pools and beaches that have a lifeguard present.
- Read and follow all posted signs near pools, lakes, beaches and other bodies of water.
- Children should not swim if they are cold, tired, sun burned, or exhausted from swimming. Take breaks every 30 minutes to reapply sunscreen and get some rest.
- Pay attention to the weather conditions. Stop swimming at the first sign of bad weather (thunder, lightening, storms, etc).
- All adults who supervise children near water should be CPR certified. If you are not yet certified, now is a great time to contact the American Red Cross and take a course www.redcross.org
- Talk about water safety rules before kids get into the water. If children understand what is safe and what is not, they will be more likely to follow the rules.
- Have fun and remember constant supervision and lots of sunscreen will keep everyone happy and safe!
For more information on water safety, visit www.watersafety.org.
For child safety and health information go to www.ResponsibleFamily.com |
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Founder and Director of Morningside Nannies in Houston, Texas and Past President of the International Nanny Association, Pat Cascio has been in the in-home childcare industry since 1983. As the mother of four young daughters she personally experienced the lack of professionalism and top-quality screening practices that existed in what was then known as "domestic agencies." As a result, she founded the first agency in Houston to specialize in the referral of nannies.
As a former employer of nannies for her own family and coupled with 25 years in the business of placing nannies, she screens applicants by asking herself this question: "Would I hire this nanny to care for my own children?" Pat served on the Board of Directors of the International Nanny Association (INA) for 10 years, and had the honor of being elected as the President of the INA Board of Directors eight terms. During her years as president of INA, she acted as the spokesperson for the nanny industry and has been interviewed by hundreds of local and national media representatives as well as being a guest on various television and radio programs.
I whole heartedly support giving your nanny a raise on her first anniversary with you. The peace of mind of knowing that your child is in the hands of an attentive and loving caregiver is worth so very much to you as a parent. In regard to a cost of living raise there are a few things to take into consideration, one being the salary that she is currently receiving. I would first suggest that you check with local nanny agencies on what competitive salaries are in your area.
Not knowing if you are paying her a weekly salary or are paying her by the hour I cannot say what the actual increase or percentage should be. If she is earning a weekly salary of at least $500 per week I would suggest a minimum of a $25.00 per week increase. If she is working forty hours or more each week and you are paying her by the hour, I would suggest raising her hourly salary by a minimum of 50 cents per hour.
Over the 25 years that I have been working in this industry I have heard so many nannies say that they are leaving their current position because their employers did not recognize and reward them for their devotion to the children in their care and the family that they are helping. One of the most meaningful things to a nanny is the personal notes, cards, and photos that they receive from their employers and charges, so I would also suggest that you give her a card from you and the children or a personal gift from your child or children letting her know how much she is loved and appreciated.
Best Regards,
Pat Cascio
Have a question for one of our experts? Ask it now or read past Q&As. |
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 When a Nanny truly loves their career, there’s no hiding it, and this month’s top Nanny is a case in point. With more than 30 years experience, Cindy wrote in from Colorado with a touching story that goes to show how much of an impact each and every Nanny can have – even when many years have gone by.
Thanks, Cindy, for being one of America’s Top Nannies!
Cindy’s Story:
The first family I nannied for included three children from the father's first marriage and two preschoolers from his second. During most of my employ I cared for the younger children, seeing the older ones on holidays and such. However, this was a very close-knit family and I became attached to all five of the children. My employers were wonderful and Mrs. O became my mentor and friend as well. I lived with this family for 2 years and loved every minute of it.
The children and I enjoyed frequent excursions and I once even took them back to Nebraska to see a real farm, which was a unique experience for my young charges. Their parents paid for the trip and sent us off on the Amtrak train from Denver to Hastings, NE. While visiting my family, I realized that my entire family loved these two children and that the O family had grown to love my family as well. I was not going to be one of those nannies who move from job to job without caring deeply for the families who employ her. After spending 2 years with the O's, I knew it was time to move on and I began a teaching job at a nearby school.
I kept a close relationship with the O family over the years and shared in their joys of graduations, weddings, and even parenthood. Several years ago, I was attending a faculty meeting at a school where I was a part-time music teacher. While looking across the room I noticed a pregnant young woman who looked very familiar. "Heather!" I called out. And she looked over my way with great surprise and said, "It's my nanny." It had been over twenty years since I was employed by her family, but it was as if no time had passed. We spent the next few minutes reminiscing about our days together and exchanging hugs. And even though we were both grown-ups now and members of a school faculty together, to my former charge I was still just her beloved nanny. |
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Overcoming obstacles. Making an impact in a family that really needed help. We know you're out there, Nanny Superstars, and Nanny Net News wants to hear your story. Follow the link below and tell us why you're a real-life super nanny.
Here's what we want to know...
Your stats:
- Name
- E-mail
- City and State
- How long have you been a nanny?
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- What made you decide to become a nanny?
- Education level?
- CPR/First Aid Certified?
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Your story:
Are you a member of local or national nanny association? Are you active in the community as a volunteer or part of an organization? Tell us a little about yourself and your life as a Nanny!
Photos are encouraged, but not required. Each month, we'll publish our favorite story in the newsletter – and if we print your story in an issue of Nanny Net News, we'll send you a free nanny sweatshirt or tee-shirt of your choice!
Submit your story now |
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This year, Nannypalooza is once again taking place in Philly, and it promises to pack a world of career tips and info into two fun-filled and informative days. Scheduled for October, the conference is laid back and relaxing, while serving up 17 workshops specifically designed for today’s nanny.
The theme for 2008 is “Aloha, catch the wave,” and the conference will also include fun evening events, along with informal time where you can hook up and from your fellow professionals. Sample workshops include:
- Nanny Portfolios
- The Ins and Outs of Nanny Contracts
- Working with Challenging Children
- Any many more!
The conference is scheduled for October 4 and 5. Register by August 8 and pay only $75 for NANC members or $100 for non-members. To learn more or register, visit the National Association for Nanny Care website. Hope to see you there!
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! |
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Postcard from Nanny Island
Meet Our Newest Expert: Pat Cascio
America’s Top Nannies
