Keeping Infants Safe While They Sleep

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When hiring a babysitter it is imperative the sitters are clear on properly preparing an infant to sleep.  There are many dangers that exist when an infant takes a nap or beds down for the night.  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a real and present danger.  Taking proper precautions can mitigate many of the risks and lower the chances for SIDS to become a factor in your child’s life.

  • It is important to keep the infants sleeping position consistent.  When infants who routinely sleep on their backs for naps are placed on their tummy’s for night sleep this raises the risks for SIDS.  Infants less than one year old should be placed on their backs on a consistent basis.
  • Keep infants in the crib alone.
  • Avoid covering the babies head or face when sleeping.
  • Having the infant sleep without blankets is the safest.

Avoid placing the following items into the crib with an infant.

  • Bumpers
  • Pillows
  • Car Seats
  • Quilts
  • Comforters
  • Toys
  • Laundry
  • Pets

More information regarding SIDS and other tips to avoid this devistating syndrome can be found at:

www.sidsillinois.org

Babysitting Tips for Parents

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Finding the right babysitter can be tough; we have compiled a small list of tips that you can use to help find that perfect sitter for you and your family.

1. Due your homework. We cannot stress how important it is to check your sitters references, and do a background check. By completing these very simple steps you can save yourself a lot of headaches down the road. To make this even easier, if you use Sittercity you will have the ability to background check and read reviews on potential sitters.

2. Clarify your babysitter’s role. Be direct about your expectations for them. Safety is your primary concern while your child is in their care. Tell your babysitter that your child must be in view at all times and make sure to make your sitter aware of all potential household dangers.

3. An itinerary will be very helpful for your sitter while your are out. Having a list complete with a rough schedule will help to make your sitters night as smooth as possible.

These tips should help you find your perfect sitter. Remember you can always thousands of sitters at Sittercity.

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How Much Should You Pay Your Sitter or Nanny?

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Here is a short informative video compliments of SitterCity on how much you should pay your sitter or nanny.  When hiring a sitter or nanny parents may be confused at current market rates for sitters.  The video will guide you on the proper wage rate for your sitter or nanny given their specific experience.  Enjoy!

Using the Internet to Find a Babysitter

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In a pinch to find a babysitter?  Is your “always reliable” sitter no where to be found?  Don’t worry, there are plenty of resources available online to find your next babysitter.  In fact using the Internet to find a sitter will allow your family to have multiple sitters which will help you avoid the dreaded situation of not being able to find a sitter.

The initial thought by many parents is that using the Internet is not safe.  This is a misconception as using a babysitting service such as Sittercity can actually be safer than the typical word of mouth method many parent rely on.  Sittercity for example allows parents to conduct thorough background checks and due diligence.  Additionally, parents can read comments and feedback from other parents who have used the prospective sitter.  When finding a babysitter through traditional methods parents have to rely on what they are told from the referring parent.  Using Sittercity will allow you to view other parents experiences with the prospective sitter as well as viewing a background check.

The best way to guarantee yourself a sitter at all times is to use Sittercity and find two or three sitters that fit will with your children and family.  This method will insure you will never be stuck at home on date night.

Potty Training

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Potty training is probably one of the tasks of parenthood that most people do not look forward to.  The idea fills many parents with dread; imagining dealing with accidents, crying, bargaining, bribery and the most dreaded….poop!  I own a cloth diaper service and my daughter has been potty trained since 18 months old, so I meet a lot of moms and dads who ask how I did it.  I wouldn’t call myself an expert and every child is so different that I believe there is no one sure fire method that will work for them all, but I think I know a little bit.  As a nanny I assisted several parents in potty training and I think I learned a little bit about what doesn’t work….and what does.  So here are my 5 steps to a potty trained child.

1.  Cloth Diaper

I believe in cloth for so many reasons which I will address in another blog, but one of those reasons is that cloth diapers allow children to know when they are wet/soiled.  Studies show that cloth diapered children potty train on average one year earlier than disposable diapered babies.  ONE YEAR!  If the average toddler is going through 50 diapers per week that is 2600 diapers earlier.  That is a lot of diaper changes you could potentially avoid!  When a baby is wearing a cloth diaper they recognize the feeling of being wet or dirty before they are even able to verbalize it.  They will have an earlier understanding of what is going on with their body, how they feel before they go, and after, and be able to attempt control over it.

If you are reading this and your child is/has been wearing disposables, it’s still not hopeless.  Potty training can still be a breeze.  Move on to step 2.

2. Buy a potty early

Imagine if you had been doing something one way your whole life…no one ever mentioned to you that you might have to do it a different way someday, then suddenly one day they told you to do it differently and got angry with you when you made mistakes.  This is how many parents approach potty training.  Don’t suddenly make the decision that it is time for your child to go on the potty when they are 2.  Introduce the potty early and gradually help them discover what it is for.

I bought my daughter her potty when she was about 9 months old. I told her it was a potty and that her pee and poop go in there.  I put it in the living room near her other toys and it became something to crawl, climb and sit on.  Eventually she would be sitting on it naked and accidentally go….AH HA moment for her!  Which leads to the next step…..

3. Allow lots of naked time

Adults think of being naked as taboo or have developed self consciousness that instinctively tells them to cover up.  Children do not feel this way, they have no negative associations with nakedness, no feelings that they should cover certain body parts.  Now, I am not saying you should let your toddler be naked all the time, there is an appropriate time and place, but don’t unknowing place your negative associations onto their nakedness or the act of them going potty.  Let them be naked when they are home.  My daughter would spend a portion of everyday naked and it helped her to associate how her body felt and what was happening when she went potty….she was aware of it.  At first I remember she wouldn’t seem to notice too much but that didn’t last long. She then started getting upset if she peed on the floor and that lead to her trying to get to the potty before that happened!  It’s true cleaning up poop off the floor is not exactly fun, but be prepared for it.  If possible let the naked time be outside in the yard or in the kitchen where it can easily be cleaned up.  The payoff is many less diapers to change and you get to have a few hours a day with a happy baby….kids love naked time!

4. Let your child see you going “potty”

We give up our privacy in many ways when we become parents. When your child follows you into the bathroom use it as a teaching opportunity.  Explain what is happening and what you are doing.  Their curious little minds will watch and absorb and then when they are expected to do the same it will be familiar!

5.  Make it fun

Learning to use the toilet should be a fun and exciting step toward growing up for your child.  It should not be a time of stress or in any way a negative experience.  Read books that show others using the potty, explain how to use the potty or just make light of the whole process.  Sing songs about going potty, the best ones are the silly ones you make up as your child plays on or attempts to use the potty….make them laugh and enjoy the learning process.  Don’t criticize, pressure or reprimand mistakes.  Remember it is a learning PROCESS!  It will not happen overnight, but if you follow the no pressure, early introduction guidelines I think the whole thing will be much more enjoyable and stress free for you  and your child!  Good Luck!

Letting go

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I am looking for a daycare/preschool for my 2 year old.  I actually found one I like already.  It’s a home daycare. It’s very small ratios, seems like a nurturing environment with lots of safety gates and age appropriate toys.  My daughter will get lots of attention and socialization.  So what is stopping me from making the call and securing the spot?

Having worked in child care, I know how to make the transition, take care of a child I do not know well, form a relationship with them. Now that I am a mom I  have a completely different point of view.  I am not sure I understand how any family I ever worked for left their children with me.  I had excellent references, I had first aid/CPR, tons of experience, an education….but I was a total stranger!!!!

So how do you get through it?  How do you leave your child and trust that they will be OK and still be there when you return?  As a mom, I do not know.  As a nanny and child care worker I can give some advice…so I am giving this advice to myself as I write and I am sharing it with all of you in hopes that it will ease the pain of putting your child in another person’s care. The logical, child care worker portion of my brain will now try to talk some sense into the mom part.

Mom:  What if she gets hurt or sick?  As a mom you think of the horrible things that could happen to a child. You hear the stories and your heart breaks for the moms of babies or children that get hurt.  You just can’t dwell on it.  You can not let yourself think of every bad thing that could happen to your child or you will not enjoy their life or yours. So what do you do?

Caregiver:  It could happen, there is no denying that.   Be prepared!  I am CPR/first aid certified I know where the nearest hospital is and know I can always call 911.  I have your child’s doctor information and a consent to oversee your child’s care in your absence,  your phone number and another emergency contact. All bases are covered and we have a plan.

Mom:  Won’t she miss me? You don’t know how to feed, comfort, sooth, put her down for a nap, make her smile, etc…the way I do?

Caregiver:  As hard as this is to hear, it is harder on you then it is on them!  Most children, even if they are hysterical when you leave are fine 10 minutes after you are gone.  Once you are out of sight they find a way to comfort and/or distract themselves.  They realize that there are friends to play with, new and exciting things to explore and fun to be had.  That should make you feel good as a parent…yes, you want them to miss you, and they do, but you also want them to gain independence and explore the world without you.  So remind yourself that they are making friends and having fun and that it is a great thing for them.  And cherish that moment when you come back and they are so excited to see you and tell you about their amazing day!

It’s true, I am not a replacement for mom.  I will not do everything exactly the same way, but isn’t that partially the point of placing your child in someone elses care.  To help them gain some independence from you and learn how to cope with situations on their own.  Your child will adjust to having things done differently while they are away from you and they will be fine.

Mom:   Will she be there when I get back?  This is the most irrational of my fears by far!  I’m not talking kidnapped, though of course the thought crosses my mind, but more just gone!  I don’t have as many of these moments now, but when my daughter was a baby I’d put her in the car to go out to run errands and she’d fall asleep.  She’d be so quiet and of course, rear facing so I couldn’t see her and I would have to strain to get a glimpse of the top of her head or her foot or something.  It was like if she were out of my sight she could simply vanish.  Like the whole experience of becoming a mother were a dream.  This is how the idea of leaving her at daycare feels.

Caregiver:  You are mom…your child will be so excited to see you when you get back!  This fear will subside once you have been through a couple days of daycare and you see how your child has made friends and had fun!

While I am still battling with this, I know the day will come soon where I will need to give myself up to the logic and the rational argument that my daughter will be happy and healthy and will thrive in daycare, preschool, high school and eventually college.  I will let you know how that first day goes…

Getting kids to eat well

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After years working as a nanny have I figured out the secret of how to get kids to eat nutritious foods?  I think I have and it really isn’t a secret….offer them nutritious foods and only give sweets and junk food occasionally.  A baby or toddler does not feed themselves snacks filled with sugar or fat. Unless you introduce the sweets or fatty foods they will be completely unaware of their existence!  As a parent you are in complete control of what your child eats for the first several years of their lives.  So it is your responsibility to instill healthy eating habits so that when they are making the decisions for themselves they will make the right ones.

I imagine many people might argue that the junk is the only food their kids will eat, but again I would repeat that a child is unaware of the junk unless you make it an option.  So from the beginning offer healthy food.  As children get older, make healthy versions of “kid” foods.   It is true kids can be picky eaters.  In my house that amounts to my daughter having decided there are certain foods she likes and certain ones she doesn’t, but because the foods she is exposed to regularly are all healthy choices, it is not an issue that those are the only ones she wants to eat.

In fact, as I am sitting here writing this my 2 year old daughter is sitting next to me eating her dinner.  As she is eating she is asking for dessert….chocolate chips.  For dinner she is eating a homemade pizza that she enjoyed making herself, avocado and a cup of milk.  If she eats all her dinner she will be allowed a dessert of about 5-10 chocolate chips.   You might be thinking pizza isn’t healthy, but it is when you make it our way!  It is a whole wheat pita topped with an organic jarred pasta sauce, organic baby spinach, some grated zucchini and mozarella cheese.  Am I sneaking in veggies?  Not really…she knows they are there, she made the pizza herself, but she loves it!

Here are some of the foods she regularly eats and requests:

1.  Quesadilla:  Whole wheat tortilla spread with mashed organic black beans and topped with organic canned or frozen corn, shredded zucchini and cheddar cheese

2.  Tofu:  A great kid friendly food, I simply buy organic soft tofu, cut it into bit-sized pieces and serve with just a dash of soy sauce.

3. Pizza:  see above for recipe, but also add what you want or your child likes.  My daughter also loved mushrooms and olives on hers!

4.  Mac and Cheese:  Whole wheat pasta mixed with finely grated organic cheddar cheese and a splash of milk and peas  (works best if you heat and melt the cheese with the milk first, then stir in the pasta and peas).

5.  Organic yogurt mixed with organic baby cereal, organic, unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon.

6.  Banana Blobs: A cookie made with a mixture of mashed banana, oats, and baby cereal.  Totally sugar free and pretty yummy!  Designed to be a teething biscuit or first food, but also a great cookie for toddlers, we’ve been thinking of experimenting by adding dried cranberries or even chocolate chips or nuts. For the complete recipe go to

http://beachbumsdiapers.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/marleys-banana-blobs/

You can make anything healthy…use whole wheat flour and oat bran or wheat germ when making pancakes, waffles, cookies or breads.  Use mashed bananas or unsweetened applesauce to sweeten.  Buy organic or unprocessed foods as much as possible.  And always read labels, just because something is organic or “natural”  doesn’t mean it is healthy.  Stay away from refined sugar and bleached flour.  If you don’t know what an ingredient is, chances are it is not good for you or your child.

As a side note, my daughter was very proud of herself when she finished her dinner.  She did promptly ask for chocolate chips and was given approximately 10, ate them and asked for more, to which my husband replied, “How about some watermelon?”  She excitedly said, “I want watermelon!”

The Babysitter Activity Kit

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Want to be an outstanding babysitter?  The babysitter all the neighborhood parents want to hire?  The one all the children ask for?  There are several ways to stand out to the parents of course, some of which we mentioned in the previous blog, be responsible, CPR/First Aid certified, mature, etc.  But, lots of people will be those things and what it really may come down to is being the babysitter that kids love!  So here’s a simple way to stand out:  put together a Babysitting Activity Kit.  Buy a big bag that you can keep stocked with kid-friendly activities and bring it along to all your babysitting jobs.  Parents will greatly appreciate the added effort and kids will enjoy digging through and finding fun things to do.  These suggestions are pretty basic, and you may say, “Most kids already have this stuff.”  That may be true, but believe me, it will be exciting because it is your stuff, not theirs and that is cool to a kid!

Moms, you could consider having these things on hand too.  I have a cabinet in my kitchen devoted to craft things for my daughter.  It’s great to be able to just give her some glue and paper or play dough and have her be happy playing at the kitchen table while I cook dinner or get laundry folded.  Since your not packing them in a bag to have on the go, you could also purchase more items like glitter, paint and brushes, dot paints, beads and string, etc.

What to put in the bag (or cabinet):

1. Crayons, colored pencils, markers or a combination of all three.

2. Assorted papers including blank white, construction and colored tissue.

3.  A couple coloring books

4. Child Scissors

5. A mini stapler

6. Glue

7. Bubbles (a good idea is to buy a huge thing of bubbles for about $3-$6 and a few of the very small ones to keep in the bag.  You can refill them as needed and have light, small bottles for each child.)

8.  Play-dough (Homemade play-dough is so much better than store bought—recipe follows.  If you don’t want to make it beforehand, jut bring the recipe, it can be made with items most people will have on hand in their kitchen and the kids would love helping!)

9. Sidewalk Chalk

Simple Activities:

1.  Crowns:

If kids are old enough to cut, let them do all of this. If not,  you do the cutting and let them decorate.

Cut a piece of construction paper into 2 or 3 strips.  Embellish one side to  look like a crown.   Staple the pieces together to make one strip long enough to circle the child’s head.  Let the child decorate it with crayons, markers or by gluing tissue paper on.  When dry, fit to the child’s head and have fun pretending to be princes or princesses!  Don’t forget to make one for yourself too!

2.  Tissue Paper Collage

Cut or have child cut a piece of construction paper into a nice shape.  A butterfly, flower, heart, or just leave paper rectangular.  Have the child help tear pieces of tissue paper and glue them onto the construction paper to make a collage.  You can also get different things from around the house to add to the collage such as, dry rice or beans, pasta, cheerios or other cereal.

**Another idea is to do an outdoor collage.  Take the kids out in the yard or for a walk and collect things they can glue to paper to make a collage or picture.  Leaves, flowers, grass, sand, small pebbles or sticks.**

3. Paper Towel Butterfly

Take a paper towel and wet it, but ring it out so it is not completely saturated.  Have the kids press dots with markers onto the towels.  Because they are wet, the color will spread out and look nice.  Let the paper towels dry then take a strip of tissue paper and glue or staple it around the center (like the body of the butterfly).  Then the kids have a beautiful butterfly creation!

4.  Masks

Cut construction paper into the shape of an animal.  Have kids draw the faces and decorate.  Cut out the eyes and staple a strip of paper around the back to hold it on.  Let kids run around like animals!

5.  Tissue Paper Flowers

Layer several pieces of tissue paper together then

fold or have children fold like a fan (fold one way, then the other, back the other way, etc.)  Once it is in a strip fold in half and twist the folded end, or hold together with a paper clip or pipe cleaner.  Pull the layers apart to form a beautiful flower.

Play Dough Recipe:

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
1 c. water
1 tbsp. oil
2 tsp. cream of tartar
Food coloring by drops

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pan and stir.  Cook over low heat, stirring until a ball forms.

2. Add food coloring and mix thoroughly until desired color.

3. Cool and store in covered container.  Play dough can be temperamental, but if it is a good batch it will keep in an airtight container for several months.

Have fun, be creative and the kids and parents will love you!!

Perspective From A Former Nanny And Now Mother

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I worked as a nanny for 11 years and before that as a babysitter for about the same length of time.  I have now been a mom for 2 1/2 years.  It’s a unique perspective to have been on the employee side and now to be on the hiring side.  As a nanny or babysitter (or potential one)  I will be honest, the kids are the easy part.  It is easy to fall in love with the kids.  The parents are the hard part. A nanny wants parents that are easy to communicate with, that show them respect as a professional in their field and appreciate the role they play in their children’s lives.  I think most nanny’s will tell you one thing they absolutely hate is being called a babysitter!  So what is the difference between a nanny and a babysitter?  This is something every parent should understand before they begin the hiring process.

DEFINITIONS:

Babysitter: A person you hire to occasionally mind your children when you are away.  This person is there only to ensure your children are safe and entertained in your absence.

Nanny: A person who nurtures, educates, clothes,feeds, disciplines and loves your child on a daily basis.  A nanny’s role is vital in assisting you in raising your child(ren).

In hiring either a nanny or babysitter of course you want someone responsible and mature.  A person that will know how to handle an emergency, should there be one and a person who will make responsible decisions while in your home or with your children to ensure safety. What else is important?

3 Qualities of a GREAT babysitter:

1.  Lots of energy

2. Plans fun activities to do with your kids

3.  CPR/First Aid Certification

A nanny should also possess those 3 qualities, and more!

3 more qualities of a GREAT nanny:

1. Experience in child care (whether it is as a nanny, teacher, parent, babysitter or daycare worker–experience with children is a must!)

2.  An understanding of child development, different learning styles and an understanding of how to include education in everyday fun activities.

3.  An open communicator.  You want someone who is comfortable giving you feedback about your children and working with you to educate and nurture them in a way that is best for them.

So on the other side, what is a babysitter or nanny looking for in an employer?  In one word, I would say, thoughtfulness.

3 Things that make a GREAT babysitting experience:

1.  Money for take out or a meal already prepared for kids and sitter.

2.  A cool activity to do or movie to watch (especially if it’s a late night job) with the kids.

3.  A blanket and some snacks.  I remember as a babysitter, the kids go to bed and you sit to watch tv and it is always cold!  Leave a blanket and some snacks where she doesn’t have to search for them.

3 things that make a GREAT nanny experience:

1. Appreciation and occasional praise or thanks for all that your nanny does.

2.  An occasional, unexpected hour or 2 off.  This is especially important for the nannies out there that regularly work over 40 hours per week!

3.  Paid vacations, sick days and some kind of contribution to medical insurance (which you can likely offer tax free–more in a future blog).

Hiring a nanny or babysitter is complex for many reasons.  In future blogs I will touch on some of these topics from both points of view and hopefully give you all perspective on the others feelings and needs.  As a parent you are sometimes blinded by your vision of what you need, your fears of hiring someone to care for your children, your guilt about leaving them, or even your busy schedule.  As a nanny you are sometimes blinded by your education and experience, making it difficult to empathize with the parents.  I hope this blog will give both sides of the story and make it easier for each to understand the needs of the other…making for better communication and better sitter or nanny/family relationships…which make for happy, healthy kids!


Household Dangers Every Babysitter and Parent Should Be Aware of

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There are many hidden dangers inside the home. On the surface there are many items in a house that appear to be safe but are not. It is important to minimize these dangers when children are around. It is also very important that babysitters are aware of the same dangers. These danger areas should be talked about with your sitter before you go out for date night.

Some of the more obvious household dangers are open cupboards and cabinets, outlets, and poisons. These dangers are typically the first addressed because they are relatively obvious. However, anything a small child can reach they will grab which opens up an another list of danger items.

Cords for blinds and shades present one of the biggest hidden dangers in the house. Raising and lowering the shades happens on a daily basis and it is easily overlooked as being a danger. However, the cords on raised shades or blinds pose a deadly threat. An infant crawling around can easily reach up and pull on the cord or worse yet get the cord stuck around their neck. The easiest way to avoid an accident with the cords are to tie them up high. Seems simple but parents often forget about this danger.

Power cords are also another danger item that often get overlooked. A child can pull on a power cord causing the appliance to fall on top of them. In addition to having an appliance topple on them a child is also susceptible to electric shock and burns.

These are just a couple of dangers that lurk in the house which may not be so obvious to some parents. It is important that you look over your house and identify potential trouble spots with your babysitter and talk about how to keep your child safe from the not so obvious dangers.