by Wendy P | May 5, 2020 | All Blog Posts, Guides, Nannies, Parents
Here at Loving Nannies, we have been emphasizing the importance of coronavirus safety precautions to all of our nannies. Daily routines such as wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, using sanitizer when necessary and most importantly-social distancing, can be very important in their non-nanny lives. We talk to all of our nannies about the specific precautions they are taking and if they have been exposed to anyone that may have had the virus and if they have traveled recently. We also have a serious talk with each nanny about minimizing the risk of getting the virus and ask important relevant questions such as who they live with and if that person(s) is in contact with others or works in/outside the home, travels etc. We also want to know if they will be working for more than one family and who, if anyone, they are in contact with on a regular basis (friends, significant others, extended family etc). We have each nanny sign a COVID-19 good faith agreement that states that each nanny will take all precautions necessary to ensure the safety of themselves and the family they will be working for. Loving Nannies Safety Information During COVID-19 In order to better serve our families and nannies during this time of need, we have compiled some safety information in regards to COVID-19. First and foremost, a nanny should stay home and not care for any children if they suspect they may be getting sick. If a nanny develops any symptoms, they should not go to work. Nannies should self-quarantine if they believe they have been in contact with anyone who is...
by Emily McCay | May 24, 2019 | Advice, All Blog Posts, Guides, Parents
7 healthy eating habits for kids of all ages So your kid won’t eat the pile of greens on their plate, what’s new? They pass the mound of vegetables every time, hoping you don’t notice. But, you do, and you’re getting frustrated. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. This unavoidable struggle of finding (and maintaining) healthy eating habits for kids happens with all children. Any parent who tells you otherwise is lying. Between balancing work and your home, you’re realizing you need to step up your game in the healthy eating department. But, you’re already rushing out the door every morning and too tired to prepare a healthy meal every night, let alone sit there trying to make them eat it. To combat your busy schedules, some parents hire nannies for transportation, date nights, vacations, or that constant household mess. But, nannies can also help with snacks, lunches, dinner, and basic healthy eating habits for kids and parents too. We’ve scoured the internet and compiled 7 effective healthy eating habits for kids. These tips work for children of all ages. Parents can even take a bite out of these (pun intended). 1. Parents, stop buying junk food (or at least hide it better) Okay, so this first tip sounds easier said than done. We all love munching on cookies or inhaling ice cream now and then. And I’m sure we’ve all been grocery shopping with kids that suddenly see the Paw Patrol macaroni or bright colored packs of sweets. It’s no wonder they are attracted to it, honestly. Every parent has gone through this. So I repeat, you are not alone. Parents need to fight the...
by Emily McCay | May 16, 2019 | Advice, All Blog Posts, Guides, Parents
Are you interviewing a potential nanny soon? You may be wondering what kind of nanny interview questions to ask during the interview. Should you ask more professional questions or more personal ones? After all, your future nanny will be watching your children. How much more personal can it get? If you’re one of those parents who researches everything, just like me, then you’re in luck. These questions are in no specific order. Instead, they will provide basic question ideas as a guide when conducting your nanny interviews. We’ve even provided a link to our full nanny interview questions guide. Here are some basic nanny interview questions every family should ask Why do you want to be a nanny? What was your last childcare experience like, and why did it end? How much experience do you have working with children? Have you ever handled an emergency? If so, what was it, and how did you handle it? What do you consider your strengths as a nanny? What certifications do you have? Additional nanny interview questions What are your thoughts on discipline? How do you feel about housekeeping or traveling with the children (if applicable)? What values are most important to you? How might you help my children learn? Are you familiar with the area? Having these nanny interview questions handy will help you feel confident during the interview process. Find here our full printable guide of helpful nanny interview questions used by our agency. Here’s a bonus tip. After meeting a nanny that you are interested in, you should always call the references to give you peace of mind. Keep in mind; we...
by Emily McCay | May 10, 2019 | Advice, All Blog Posts, Guides
What’s your go-to craft when watching kids? Every nanny (and babysitter) should have at least a few fun kids craft ideas in their back pocket. Luckily, tons of blogs provide insights to keep the little ones busy. A first-time nanny or experienced nanny can find use in these 5 fun and easy craft ideas for kids (and more). So, let’s dive in. 5 Fun and Easy Craft Ideas for Kids 1. Book Monsters Kids love making silly faces, so why not make reading time fun too? Grab construction paper (or yesterday’s newspaper) and let’s make paper crafts. These fun bookmark monsters from Easy Peasy and Fun are simple and creative. Want more paper craft ideas? Check out 27 perfect paper crafts for kids from Red Tricycle. 2. DIY Mini Pompom Monsters These cute mini pompom monsters idea from Marie at DIYAdulation.com is sure to keep the little ones entertained. Few materials needed for this fun craft. We did this craft in under 10 minutes, and the kids loved it! Marie has more craft ideas on her website here. 3. Homemade Squishes Get creative and make these easy silly homemade squishies from RedTedArt.com. Paper, sponge, or foam options as materials are available. More home crafts for all ages are located on their website here. 4. Painted Rocks Become a rock painting artist with 20+ ideas for Painted Rocks from craftsbyamanda.com. Get creative depending on the size and shape of the rocks. Then, set them up as garden decor when done. Check out craftsbyamanda.com for more craft ideas for kids. 5. Last Minute Mother’s Day Crafts Help...
by Wendy P | May 3, 2019 | Advice, All Blog Posts, Guides, Nannies, Our Services, Parents
Not sure how much to pay your new nanny? Lots of things go into factoring nanny pay rates including the number of children, duties, experience, and hours. Whether you need help deciding pay or if you are a nanny and not sure your worth, we’re here to help. Here are some fine-tuned details about San Diego nanny pay rates to help you get started! On average On average, a nanny with 3 years experience makes a minimum of $16-18 per hour for 1 child and $18-$20 for 2 children. This usually occurs weekly or biweekly. If you do decide to go this route, make sure to detail specific hours in your contract. Nanny pay rates depend on what the job entails Depending on what the job duties and responsibilities entail, the pay rate average can change. This should come at no surprise. For instance, some tasks include housekeeping or driving. These extra duties can make the pay rate go up to $23 per hour. Also, most nannies will expect gas reimbursements or a gas allowance if their job entails driving the kids around. Other pay rate specifics to consider Hiring a nanny, especially a full-time nanny, is like hiring an employee for your family. This means that most will expect certain benefits. Most nannies also have a minimum one week paid vacation per year with 3-5 sick days and some paid holidays off. However, all this should be discussed prior to employment and while creating a nanny contract. Fortunately, there is a 3-month “probation” period, where families can test drive their new nanny. We also provide our families with a one-year satisfaction guarantee. Keep in mind...
by Emily McCay | Apr 29, 2019 | Advice, All Blog Posts, Guides, Nannies
Being a San Diego nanny has its rough days. Children have uncontrollable emotions, and we need to be there to help sort them out. No matter what age the child is, there will most definitely come a time when you will face sudden emotions. At any given moment, that happy, full of excitement and energy child you care for can tear up without any apparent reason. Knowing how to respond to the little one can make all the difference. So, we’ve thought of some tips to help nannies, babysitters, and parents when trying to console a crying child. 3 Tips for responding to a crying child Tip #1: Sometimes crying doesn’t always mean the child is sad, especially in babies. For infants, crying is their only form of communication. Their tiny tears could mean a variety of different things including hunger, sleepiness, or having a wet diaper (just to name a few). So, always check the basics first and if all is clear, move on to other techniques in hopes to stop the crying. Tip #2: Stay Calm. A screaming crying child can be stressful but it is important for you as the nanny (or parent) to stay calm during this emotional rollercoaster. If you are stressed, the child will be stressed too. Sit down to their level and do some breathing exercises to help calm the mood. Tip #3: Listen. Ask them what is wrong and then LISTEN. Don’t try to negotiate or tell them how to solve their problems, just be there. Taking the time to listen to a child and show them you care makes all the difference....
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