The Philadelphia Nanny Network

Wii Need To Get Kids Outside & Involved

2012-03-01T14:49:00.001-05:00

A few years back, the Nintendo Wii was being touted as a great form of exercise, especially for kids who would rather play video games than head outside. The games, such as Wii Sports with bowling and boxing, appealed to most everyone from toddlers to adults. Nintendo recognized the success and continued to build upon it. Next was the birth of Dance Dance Revolution and Just Dance. Then came the Wii Fit and Xbox Kinect—these new console add-ons allowed you to take a yoga class or go skiing in your own living room. Indoor exercising had officially become a craze!

Now, the thing about a craze is that it could just taper off into what was once a fad or it could have long lasting effects on culture. This craze is one that we may need to say goodbye to for a variety of reasons. Besides the very obvious lack of fresh air, US researchers are now finding that these games do very little in the way of physical exertion. In fact, the games deemed active (such as Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution) result in no more physical activity than those thought of as passive (Mario Kart or Disney’s Sing It). Another issue that has been addressed by experts is the lack of learning experiences children have by getting outside and being part of a team. Kids Sports NSW owner Steve Gordon commented to Fox News, “With real sports you also need to learn how to work with your teammates and you learn the life skills and social skills of how to play in a team.”

So if your kids aren’t getting the benefits of fresh air, exercise or social skills, should you just delete your Mii and call it quits on your love affair with the Wii?

Well, maybe not yet! While it may be lacking in some areas, the Wii can still be a great way for your family to bond and a perfect rainy day boredom buster. The solution is to define the Wii as a fun game to play on the side and ensure that your kids are getting enough fresh air, exercise and exposure to teamwork with relying on Nintendo’s popular gaming system.

Arizona School Sends Students to the Scream Room

2012-02-29T10:18:00.002-05:00

Nationwide reports are beginning to surface about Desert Sage Elementary School confining students to a 5x5 padded room as punishment for misbehavior. The scream room, as the Arizona school calls it, even features restraints for especially “difficult” children, including a 7-year-old with special needs. Thankfully, this second-grader was brave enough to share the story of his punishment with his parents.

The young boy described being “restrained” in the room and said he’s been kept in there anywhere from a few minutes to the majority of the day. He went into detail about being forced to eat lunch in the padded cell and not being allowed out to use the bathroom. The Deer Valley School District denies that this special-needs child has ever been detained in the room for an excess of 15 minutes, though they admit he’s received this punishment 17 times between October and February.

Many parents in the school district are outraged at this alternative form of discipline.

It goes without saying that putting a child in a padded room for mildly misbehaving is not the norm in schools. But the larger problem, in my opinion, is that many of the parents were unaware this room existed and was being utilized as a form of punishment; the rest were surprised to find it was more of a cell than a quiet place to cool off. If Desert Sage Elementary School truly thinks this is the most effective way to discipline a disruptive child, they should have presented it more openly to the parents. Another missing piece of the puzzle, I cannot seem to find an answer regarding the school district’s awareness (or lack thereof) of this practice. Were they kept in the dark, as well, and are now scrambling to save face by defending Desert Sage Elementary?

Regardless of whether this is an acceptable form of punishment or not, it is not acceptable for 7-year-olds to be punished in ways their parents have not been made aware of.

Work/Life Balance: Just Say “NO!”

2012-02-23T13:06:00.003-05:00

“If a 2-year-old can do it, why is it so hard for a grown woman?”

Oprah was talking about saying no.

Though we know the answer to this question already, it really does help frame the problem. If you don’t have time to do something, say no. If you don’t want to do something (and it isn’t really necessary anyway), say no. If you feel like you’re being taken advantage of, say no. If you’re simply exhausted, say no. It seems so easy! But we all know it’s not. It’s hard to let other people down and even harder to feel like you aren’t competent of doing everything, and doing it all at the same time. But there’s a reason that you can’t do everything. It’s because you’re probably overextended and no matter how badly you want to be, no one is Super Woman.

So in our opinion, the best way to say no is to ditch the over-the-top excuses. In most cases you don’t even need to offer a “why”; so unless it’s absolutely necessary don’t disclose the reason you’re saying no. A simple “Sorry, I can’t, I have a conflict with that” will suffice the majority of the time.

Remember, saying no to the monotonous duties that you pour on yourself will give you more time to spend advancing your career AND enjoying your family creating a better work/life balance.

Paying Kids To Go To School: An investment in the future?

2012-02-14T16:51:00.001-05:00

A Cincinnati charter school is taking a new approach to solving an old problem. As of this week, Dohn Community High School is paying students to do the things that they already should be doing. The school’s seniors can earn a $25 Visa Gift Card each week if they achieve perfect attendance, exhibit timeliness, participate in class and stay out of trouble. Underclassmen can earn $10 per week for the same behaviors. Moreover, each time a student earns a gift card, $5 is placed in an account that will be payable to them upon successful graduation. The program is being funded by private donations and federal Work Investment Act and managed by the Easter Seals. The cost of the program is approximately $40,000-a-year for this school alone.

It may seem a little crazy to some that these kids are being paid to do what all kids do—go to school. Only, these kids weren’t going to school. Dohn’s attendance rate was at 84%, with only 14% of students graduating. And though it is certainly not the norm, this is not the first time a program of this nature has been established to benefit education. Some of them have been successful, others have not. However, it should be noted that these programs are more successful when they require students to attend school rather than to achieve favorable grades or outcomes.

So is it worth it? Is it even a good idea? Geoffrey Canada, founder of Harlem Children’s Zone, seems to think so. He stated, “Look, I’d love kids to attend class for the intrinsic value, and until then, I’d love them to do it for the money. I just want them to do it.” Whether you are in agreement with this approach or not, Canada’s statement is hard to refute. It may seem wrong to reward some kids for doing what is expected of all kids but if it is the only way to drive education in certain socioeconomic areas, isn’t it worth it? The underlying question seems to be, can we put a price tag on developing an educated society?

Happy Valentine's Day...

2012-02-14T09:50:00.002-05:00

to all of the nannies and families in The Philadelphia Nanny Network!

How Ohio is Fighting Cyber-Bullying

2012-02-08T09:24:00.003-05:00

Ohio House Bill 116 was made into law Thursday, February 2, 2012.

The law requires every school in Ohio to put a cyber-bullying policy into place. Goals include teaching students not to engage in cyber-bullying, training teachers on how to handle cyber-bullying and holding parents more accountable for their children’s online actions. Besides the obvious goal that is prevention of cyber-bullying, the law aims to raise awareness of an increasingly wide-spread and dangerous problem threatening today’s youth.

What will come as a result of this law? Will more and more states begin to walk in Ohio’s footsteps? Will any resulting laws be similar or are there inherent flaws in Ohio’s law that must be ironed out? Quite possibly the most interesting part of this law is the responsibility falling into the hands of the parents. This raises many questions. If a child is old enough to use the internet, aren’t they old enough to be held accountable for their own actions and speech? In the same vein, when are children old enough to begin using the internet and how closely should they be monitored? Though bullying is clearly a problem, does this not slightly impede of freedom of speech? Some may think that laws such as this are unnecessary and default to the popular mentality that “kids will be kids”. Still yet, aren’t preventative measures better than any alternative?

Valentine's Day Mementos Made Easy!

2012-02-06T12:09:00.001-05:00

Valentine's Day can be challenging for the pocketbook and the schedule! To help you out, here are some ideas for cute, easy to make or put together Valentine mementos...

Heart inspired animals Simply cut out hearts and strategically place them with limbs and eyes to create your favorite animal friends

I dig you Plastic shovels and M&Ms wrapped in cellophane create an original and memorable valentine card

Best fishes, Valentine Use a simple pattern of three hearts cut out of construction paper to make a guppy-shaped card

Valentines for "Sole" Mates Trace them trace and cut out their foot so they can decorate it and deliver it to their "sole" mate

Brighten your valentine's day Utilize glow sticks and construction paper to create cupid's arrows

Listen to your heart Create faux MP3 player valentines with a box of candy hearts and peanut butter cups

Ideas for homemade Valentine's Day cards are popping up all over the web from Pinterest to Twitter. You can even do a quick Google search and discover countless adorable ideas with inexpensive materials and easy to follow instructions.

Remember to give us a call to book your February sitters!

610.645.6550

www.nannyagency.com

Can you juggle your family and your professional life?

2012-02-03T15:43:00.002-05:00

Juggling different parts of your life is a difficult thing for any parent to achieve. Finding harmony between enjoying your home life and bolstering the success of your career or professional ventures can seem like a somewhat impossible task. But it doesn’t have to be impossible, or even improbable. The key to having it all is balance. This concept is often referred to as “work-life balance” and is becoming quite a popular subject for speculation and debate online, in print and on television and radio programs. Web MD features an article on this balance that has been reviewed by doctors. In this article, it is recommended that parents consider if any household chores or errands can be outsourced? This is why The Philadelphia Nanny Network has made a commitment to helping families in and around Philadelphia find household staff to assist in creating this balance. Visit our website to learn more about hiring and making the balance a possibility!

Some additional tips from WebMD can be found below.

5 tips to achieve a better work-life balance

Build downtime into your schedule

In addition to scheduling meetings and appointments, also include date nights, outings with your kids and nights out with your friends

Drop activities that sap your time or energy

Limit your time on social networks or talking to the office gossip

Rethink your errands

Enlist help or outsource for household tasks and errands

Get moving

Try to carve out some time to exercise once or twice per week--it will improve your mood and maximize your energy

Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way

Never underestimate the importance of taking 10 minutes daily just to relax!

No Name-Calling Week- January 23-27, 2012

2012-01-23T13:14:00.001-05:00

We often find ourselves saying to children “use your words” in place of using physical responses to situations. But the flip side is that words can hurt.

This week, January 23-27, 2012, many schools and after-school programs are taking part in the “No Name-Calling Week Project.” The idea was spawned from the James Howe young-adult novel “The Misfits”, in which five 7^th grade students develop a “No Name-Calling Day” at their school. The thrust of the project is to “focus national attention on the problem on name calling in schools, and to provide students and educators with the tools and inspiration to launch on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities.” No-Name Calling Week has now developed into a coalition that includes partners, sponsors, supporters and allies, including some of the largest corporations in the nation.

Is your school participating in No Name-Calling Week? According to children’s reports of bullying and name calling in the school, should they be? Bullying and name calling continue to be a large problem affecting our youth, even as education about the effects continues to grow. Click here for more information, including free lesson plans designed for elementary school, middle school, high school and art classes. Maybe nannies and parents can find ideas to use in the course of your daily time with children.

Changing kids’ mentality about cheating in school

2012-01-17T14:30:00.001-05:00

Studies show that 80 to 85 percent of kids will have cheated in school by the time they are high school graduates. According to researchers, much of this cheating can be attributed to over-packed schedules, too much pressure and in improper understanding of the concept “cheating is wrong.” So what can parents and caregivers do to make sure the children in their care don’t end up among this 85%?

make sure they understand exactly what cheating is AND why it is wrong
remove some of the pressure—remember, the grade does not always reflect how much a child has learned
lead by example—follow the rules, even if they make some things more difficult or less convenient
develop honor codes with the kids so not cheating becomes a matter of ethics rather than consequences
stop “over” helping with homework and projects—making it okay for kids to pass the buck on their work

For more information on this study, visit CNN.

Top 5 in 2011 Kid Lit

2012-01-05T09:14:00.001-05:00

As is the case when any new year begins, we are bombarded with lists attempting to clench on to the glory and excitement that came along with some of the most (and least) impressive occurrences, achievements and products of the year past. And each year, many of these lists are focused around art, music and literature. Most of the lists are predictable, many of the lists are repetitive and some of the lists are pointless. However, this year we have stumbled upon a unique list released by NPR that we have found to be both interesting and of value. The adorably titled “Top 5 Books For Backseat Readers (Ages 9 and Up)” list focuses in on kid lit written for middle schoolers and recommends the top five must-reads that were released in 2011. The list includes:

Heart And Soul by Kadir Nelson
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
The Secret History Of Balls by Josh Chetwynd and Emily Stackhouse
Drawing From Memory by Allen Say
Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods

Visit NPR’s site for the synopsis of each book, as well as other year-end lists that might be of interest to mom, dad or caregiver.

Kids are Exercising Their Way to Good Grades

2012-01-03T15:25:00.003-05:00

A recent study has once again confirmed that the more physically active a child is, the more success they will have in the classroom. The findings, that are from one high quality intervention study and one high quality observational study, are being published in the January 2012 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. It is noted in the article that “increases in the blood and oxygen flow to the brain that accompanies exercise may play a role in improving classroom performance.” Simply, this physical reaction reduces stress and greatly improves mood which results in better grades in school.

So, we call on all parents and caregivers to get kids active! Encourage them to play and exercise more, and join in on the fun yourselves. The White House even launched a program in 2010, Let’s Move, to raise a healthier generation of kids. Visit the program’s website for tips on getting active. The results will leave the kids happy, healthy and more successful!

Could Toys Be Harming Your Child’s Hearing this Holiday Season?

2011-12-21T17:25:00.003-05:00

In the midst of Chanukah and just days before Christmas, the children’s presents are bound to be piling in. Many of the toys they will receive have a very prominent characteristic in common—they’re LOUD. In fact, each year the UCI Medical Center in California conducts a test on the year’s popular holiday toys to see how harmful their volume can be. Doctors have noted that children often hold toys right next to their ears, and so anything over 90 decibels can be quite harmful. All ten toys tested at the UCI Medical Center this holiday season produced more than 90 decibels. So while they may seem appealing, you may want to shy away from popular gifts this holiday season, such as the ‘I am T Pain’ microphone and Let’s Rock Elmo.

America’s Super Nanny or Super Business Woman/Mom?

2011-12-15T14:38:00.002-05:00

America’s Super Nanny has recently debuted on the Life Time Channel. The new “super nanny” is Deborah Tillman. She has little in common with ABC’s former “super nanny”, Jo Frost. Frost was British and gave off a Mary Poppins-feel and boasted twenty-one years working as a nanny as well as the author of three childcare books. Frost has often been referred to as a “child whisperer”. Deborah Tillman, on the other hand, not only has no formal nanny experience but has had a successful accounting career. She was in the midst of her career as a when she became so dismayed at the daycare system that she decided to do something about it. She opened several child learning centers; working to successfully run the business operations rather than working directly with the children. Tillman, as a mother, she is the author of two child-rearing books.

This replacement of sorts has been the source of many debates, especially online. Many members of the industry are offended that Tillman has assumed this role as the “super nanny” without any actual nanny experience or qualifications. In fact, nannies have pulled together and started a grass-roots petition to get America’s Super Nanny removed from TV. The petition can be viewed here http://www.change.org/petitions/shedmedia-take-americas-supernanny-off-the-air. The nannies who have signed this petition site a variety of reasons such as “As a nanny I don’t believe in her practices and would never recommend them to a parent and would never use them on a child” and “She lacks warmth and kindness.”

Many supporters of Tillman, however, say she is more qualified than Frost simply because she has the practical experience of raising her own child and she holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Education.

Regardless of your opinions on Tillman or Frost, this will most likely continue as a topic for much debate and Tillman will certainly bring a different flavor to the series. Stay tuned to see how this story plays out.

Nannies, It’s Cold Outside!

2011-12-12T11:29:00.003-05:00

One week into December, and it’s a cold one here in Philly; especially compared to the spring-like November we enjoyed. With the cold weather upon us, we needed to get creative to find fun indoor activities to get the kids off the couch and away from the TV. We scoured our favorite websites for some fun ideas that will keep your kids active and creative. Here are some of our best finds!

· Tabletop Soccer

o “An empty pizza box gets a sporty transformation into a tabletop soccer arena. No need for shin guards, as the kicking is all blown air and the ball is a puff of cotton.”

o Visit http://tinyurl.com/7588b8y for full instructions, courtesy of Disney Family Fun

· Tag-Team Drawings

o The name speaks for itself! “This quick-paced game encourages group creativity. Players contribute to drawings begun by other family members, with often hilarious results.”

o Visit http://tinyurl.com/7kofq8c for full instructions, courtesy of Disney Family Fun

· Tornado in a Bottle

o Learn about science and have fun by recreating the effects of a tornado with soda bottles

o Visit http://tinyurl.com/d6ywtdz for full instructions, courtesy of Family Education

· Flower Press

o Create beautiful pressed flowers you can frame and enjoy with simple household items, such as coffee filters

o Visit http://tinyurl.com/d46anz6 for full instructions, courtesy of Family Education

And don’t forget about the classics as well, such as freeze dance, limbo or building a fort.

Thank You, Nannies! (and Happy Holidays!)

2011-12-08T14:49:00.002-05:00

Last night, The Philadelphia Nanny Network hosted our 2011 Holiday Get Together. It was so nice to see so many of our fabulous nannies. We were also thrilled and awed at their incomparable generosity. Thanks to the wonderful network of nannies, we were able to gather a large donations for Cradles to Crayons, a very deserving charity in the Philadelphia area.

Cradles to Crayons works in the community to help provide children with the essentials they will need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn and valued. We feel their mission is incredibly important year-round, but especially during the holidays. For more information, visit http://cradlestocrayons.org/ . The Philadelphia Nanny Network will also being accepting donations at our office until next Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

Again, thank you to all of our nannies for your hard work all year and for your continued kindness, both of which inspire us!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Common Phenomenon Landing Toddlers in Burn Centers Nationwide

2011-12-05T15:58:00.003-05:00

Today’s Morning Edition on NPR (National Public Radio) featured a very interesting topic—severe burns that are landing toddlers in burn units all across the nation. Some burn units see as many as 5-6 youth patients per week with this particular injury. And what is the cause?

Cup of Noodles.

Yes, eight out of twelve burn units reported that this is a “common phenomenon” and that they see this particular injury multiple times per week, especially during the colder months. The design of the cup is what makes the soup particularly dangerous. “The cups are tall, lightweight, and have an unstable base that makes them tip over easily.” Additionally, any noodle soup has been called “strangely perfect” for resulting in serious burns. The noodles are sticky, which makes them cling to skin and causes a deep burn, especially when compared to hot liquids alone. These burns can result in in permanent scarring and/or joint problems, such as limited mobility.

They refer to all the hot noodle soups that are prepared in the store-bought package where you just add boiling water as “Cup of Noodles” but the brand Nissan “Cup Noodles” is one of the worst designs. The doctors interviewed said that a small child hits the lightweight cup at an angle that tips in over spilling on their torso, legs and in their lap.

If you do choose to serve your child any sort of instant soup made in the store bought packaging, please be certain to remove from the original container and place the soup in a bowl. Also, be certain to watch your child carefully if they’re eating any type of noodle soup. Take action against preventable injuries. The Philadelphia Nanny Network encourages you to stay up to date with safety studies and product recalls that are pertinent to your charge’s well-being, health and safety.

For more information, you can access the full article , Why Burn Doctors Hate Instant Soup.

A Must Read for Anyone Hiring Child Care Online

2011-12-02T12:47:00.005-05:00

Just how reliable are online background checks? Not Very.

We have told our children time and again, not to talk to strangers on the internet. So why is it that so many parents are meeting strangers on the internet, and leaving their children in the care of these strangers?

In light of recent events, the online background checks run through many online websites, such as sittercity.com, are coming under fire and rightfully so. What are these recent events? A 19-year old man is in police custody on suspicion of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 years. The boy is eight to be exact, and Jordan Liu had been caring for him for the past eight months. Detectives have also been investigating allegations that Liu sexually assaulted the victim’s three year old brother. The parents found Liu on sittercity.com, a site that completes “background checks” on member caregivers. Liu also had a care.com account. And why are online background checks coming under fire? Online background checks are database searches. They may not show any misdemeanors the candidate has on record. And they offer no further personal screening. Parents who haven’t been trained or experienced in interviewing and reference checking may end up with a false sense of security about the extent of their knowledge about a caregiver found on a website.

Every candidate presented to families by The Philadelphia Nanny Network has gone through in-house screening, in-depth interviewing and extensive reference checking; and no third parties are used. They have also been cleared by a private security firm that conducts a criminal check, a driving check, a credit check and social security number verification. They have been checked against the US Justice Department Sex Offender Registry. And finally, PA residents have passed a PA Child Abuse Clearance.

We do recognize that families use many different resources to find nannies, sitters and other domestic employees, but we cannot express enough how important it is to rigorously check the backgrounds of these individuals. If you are employing on your own, we urge you to use our expertise! Call us for a Candidate Check Package or a Basic Security Check. Please remember you cannot always trust individuals you meet on the internet. For more information on why this is so important, please read the full article here; and please read the developing story of the string of Craig’s List murders spree that has taken place in Ohio here.

A Teacher Forcing Kids to Sit Down & Shut Up at School! A Despicable Result!

2011-11-30T12:11:00.002-05:00

Back in mid-October, a Clay County, North Carolina Music Teacher, Lindsey Cope, tied a first grade student to a chair and taped the child’s mouth shut. Additional claims that she slapped the student are not being confirmed by investigators. She later instructed the other first graders to say nothing about the incident. Thankfully, the children did tell their parents about the incident, and they in turn reported it to the school. On October 26^th, Cope was suspended with pay! Yesterday, it was announced that Cope will face no criminal charges for her actions, as she was not in violation of any North Carolina laws. Furthermore, the parents of the child have asked that no charges be filed.

We all know how trying young children can be at times; but as a good caregiver or parent, we control emotions so that actions or reactions are not carried to the extreme. This teacher, unable to control herself, grossly abused her power and the faith the students, parents and school placed in her. She most likely frightened many of the young children creating issues with trusting other teachers and feeling comfortable going to school. Though the family is probably eager to put this all behind them by not pressing charges, it is hard to accept that these actions will go unpunished. And to think, the teacher continued to receive pay from taxpayers coffers. Moreover, it is horrifying to think this incident could potentially be setting a precedent for both acceptable behavior from teachers and the acceptable treatment of children.We hope that the parents in this community in NC will start a grassroots effort to figure out a way to make this sort of treatment of children as illegal and unacceptable.

Lose the Obesity or Lose Custody

2011-11-28T12:56:00.003-05:00

Ohio social workers have removed an 8-year old boy, weighing more than 200 pounds, from his home and his mother’s custody due to his weight. The Department of Children and Family Services in Cuyahoga County said case workers considered his mother’s failure to reduce his weight a form of medical neglect. The department had been trying to work with the mother to lower the boy’s weight for a year prior to seeking custody. The mother’s lawyers argue that this is a mistake and the boy will suffer a greater level of harm by being displaced from his family, friends and school than he is from his weight. The boy is on academic honor roll and participates in school activities. The mother’s lawyers believe that removing the boy from the mother’s custody was too rash, as no threats were immediate.

This case may be controversial though it is not surprising that we are seeing a court case such as this taking place. The obesity “problem”, as you may or may not view it, has been taking center stage in the American media throughout the past few years and is especially concerning when it comes to children. So the main argument tends to be, how much of a problem is American obesity? Is it affecting health to the degree that the media would like us to believe? Is it a problem at all? Are children worse off becoming obese earlier in life than down the road? What are your thoughts on this issue? And if child obesity in American is a problem, what can we do to solve it?

By the way, though we think obesity if a problem that must be addressed by parents, caregivers and children, we are not sure that removing a child, who is thriving in all other ways, from his family is the right solution to the problem.

Teaching the Holiday Spirit

2011-11-25T10:30:00.001-05:00

As the Holiday season begins, one of the biggest challenges that face parents and nannies alike, is teaching children the true spirit of the holidays. There are many ways to remind them that the holidays are about giving, spending time with loved ones and appreciation of what they have; rather than receiving presents.

· Let the kids help the less fortunate

o Help them organize some of their gently used, outgrown clothes or old toys to give to charity and explain to them that by doing this, they are helping other boys and girls have a happy holiday season!

o Some of our favorite charities in the Philadelphia area include:

- Cradles to Crayons: http://cradlestocrayons.org/philadelphia

- Toys for Tots: http://philadelphia-pa.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp

- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): http://www.chop.edu/service/child-life-education-and-creative-arts-therapy/donations/toy-donations.html

· Have a homemade holiday

o Create arts & crafts projects to make the holiday decorations at home, the kids will be proud to show off their creations to holiday visitors

o Create your very own “secret recipe” along with the kids, for cookies or other holiday treats. This special recipe will give the kids something to look forward to doing year after year.

o Encourage homemade gifts. Remind the kids that things they make will always be more special than anything that can be bought.

· Pick the right movies and songs

o Many holiday movies and songs teach very positive messages about peace, love and helping others, make sure these are the kind your kids are exposed to.

And remember, if you need a sitter for the kids while you do some holiday shopping or attend a holiday party, call us at 610.645.6550 or visit nannyagency.com for more information. For our caregivers, if you have extra time open during the holiday season and want to work temp jobs, let us know your availability!

Child Labor Laws are Stupid?

2011-11-22T13:04:00.004-05:00

Republican 2012 Presidential Candidate, Newt Gingrich, made an appearance at Harvard on Friday for a screening of his new documentary, “A City upon a Hill”, focused on American exceptionalism. Newt discussed poverty and a potential end to child labor laws stating, “It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in, first of all, child laws, which are truly stupid. Saying to people you shouldn’t go to work before you’re 14, 16. You’re totally poor, you’re in a school that’s failing with a teacher that’s failing. I tried for years to have a very simple model. These schools should get rid of unionized janitors, have one master janitor, pay local students to take care of the school. The kids would actually do work; they’d have cash; they’d have pride in the schools. They’d begin the process of rising. Go out and talk to people who are really successful in one generation. They all started their first job at 9 to 14 years of age. They are selling newspapers, going door to door, washing cars. They were all making money at a very young age. What do we say to poor kids in poor neighborhoods? Don’t do it. Remember all the stuff about not getting a hamburger-flipping job? Worst possible advice to give the poor children.”

He went on to say, “You’re going to see from me extraordinarily radical proposals to fundamentally change the culture of poverty in America.” This sentiment motivates his previous statement; he is trying to show voters not to expect more of the same in a time where many Americans are searching for economic reform. But in the opinions of some, this does little to justify putting school-aged children to work.

This statement does, however, provide many points of conversation. If a child is working short hours in the safety of their school, could that be a good thing for them? Would they learn a level of responsibility and of pride in their school and neighborhood? Would they be able to help provide a more stable and comfortable life for themselves and their families? Or is it too much too soon? Would we be robbing them of their youth? Would it cause lower rates of academic success? This is really great stuff to think about; maybe Gingrich is on to something. He may not always say things with diplomacy and grace, but he throws out real food for thought. The only thing that’s certain is that Gingrich has opened Pandora’s box and no one has heard the last of this conversation.

We love to hear compliments about our nannies

2011-11-17T12:15:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to share a note we received from a mom about what a wonderful job nanny, Sonya Hepker, did.

"I wanted to send you a note to let you know what an extraordinary job Sonya did last night for us. Yesterday afternoon my 3 yr old woke from his nap and started throwing up. I called Sonya and gave her the opportunity to cancel, and she said she was willing to still babysit and if I was comfortable to still go to the concert we had planned on attending. I was very torn because I have never left a sick child behind before, but she was very reassuring. I did leave to go to the concert and kept in contact with her throughout the night texting, she was always very responsive. Unfortunately as the night progressed my 8 year old daughter also became sick. I asked if I should come home and she told me she was still fine and there no need to leave. When we returned all kids we asleep, and she had even done laundry that had become dirty from my son getting sick, which was far above what I expected her to do. I doubt she will ever want to babysit for us again after that fiasco, but wanted to tell you what a wonderful job she did. I really appreciate it. I am sure I would have cancelled the entire night if I had not used a nanny for last night, so thank you."

Celebrate American Education Week!

2011-11-16T09:46:00.000-05:00

November 14-19, 2011 marks the 90^th anniversary celebration of American Education Week. According to the National Education Association, American Education Week has as its purpose to honor students’ hard work, recognize the professionalism and dedication of teachers, support staff and other educators, thank parents and community members who help students succeed and rededication of the community at large to quality public education for every student. The NEA has even suggested a variety of ways for parents and community members to get involved: hold a fundraiser for a classroom project; take the priority school pledge; nominate a NEA Classroom Superhero; tell Congress to support the Fix America’s Schools Today Act and tell Congress to support the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. For more information on each of these ideas, visit http://www.nea.org/grants/19823.htm.

Additionally, why not take this opportunity to recognize and bolster the education that children are receiving in their homes, all across America. Parents, nannies, friends, relatives, babysitters, tutors and homework helpers work countless hours to provide loving and educational environments where kids can grow intellectually—and that’s something that should be celebrated. So why not take this as an opportunity to do more. Provide additional opportunities for your kids to learn in everyday activities; remember to prepare healthy meals and make sure they get plenty of sleep to keep them mentally alert; foster their curiosity and their creativity; study; read; explore.

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

2011-11-14T12:45:00.000-05:00

New Year’s Eve can be the most difficult holiday of the year for children. All of the waiting, as they’re growing tired, for excitement that typically doesn’t begin until far past their bedtime. There are a variety of ways to best handle this situation, which have been perfected by the nannies at The Philadelphia Nanny Network. If the children want to stay up until midnight, and it is okay-ed by you, the nannies come prepared with many activities that will keep the children’s spirit up for hours. Some ideas include arts and crafts time to make homemade noisemakers or countdown number signs, or different games and activities at each hour to give them something to look forward to periodically throughout the evening and not just at midnight.

Or you could celebrate the holiday with your children and still make it out in time for a party! For example, try celebrating the new year with your children, complete with a countdown and noisemakers (you can even reset a clock to simulate when the clock strikes 12!), in the late evening before you go out for the night and leave your babysitter to put the children to bed at a regular hour.

If you do choose to stay home to ring in the new year, you can find additional games and activities many places online; ie: http://familyfun.go.com/new-years/.

And REMEMBER, it’s not too soon to book a babysitter for New Year’s Eve!! Give us a call at 610.645.6550 to book a sitter now! Or visit www.nannyagency.com for more information.

Favorite Tips to Fight the Flu

2011-11-10T14:38:00.001-05:00

All of us at The Philadelphia Nanny Network have been seeing and reading a lot about how to best prevent the flu, and we’re sure you have too. There are so many good tips out there, unfortunately, not in the same place, so we thought what better than to compile many of our favorite tips (from reputable health sources) in one place! Remember to bookmark this blog so you can always go to this guide.

Consider getting your child a flu vaccine—remember young children are included in the “high risk group” by the Center for Disease Control
Make sure your child washes their hands often with plenty of soap and water
Remind your child to try to avoid touching their face
Try to avoid letting your child come in close contact with someone who is sick
At first sign of flu-like symptoms, allow your child to stay home for 24-hours of rest
Prepare healthy meals, take part in physical activities and make sure your child gets plenty of rest—boosting their immune system will do wonders for preventing the flu

Sometimes even if you take all of these steps, the flu can be unavoidable. So here are some tips of what parents and nannies can do to help your kids feel better:

Make sure the child stays hydrated with plenty of water—as try ice pops or fresh fruit icy drinks
Dress the child in layers—making it easier to deal with chills and fevers
Make sure the child is getting plenty of rest—encourage them to stay in bed or on the couch
Wash your hands and get a flu shot—Don’t let the flu spread around your family!

Do you have any tips that you would love to share with The Philadelphia Nanny Network, other nannies and/or other parents? Please leave a comment on our Facebook or Twitter page for everyone to see!

A "Must See" Play for Nannies!

2011-11-03T15:20:00.000-04:00

Exit Cuckoo (nanny in motherland)

All nannies get half priced tickets !

Use the code “cuckoo” for special half-price tickets. Just $12.50!*

Buy tickets at http://ticketing.theatrealliance.org/tickets/eventDetails.aspx?id=20487&org=fp

Wednesday, November 16 and Thursday, November 17

8:30-10:30pm

Christ Church Neighborhood House

20 N. American Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Use the code “cuckoo” for special half-price tickets. Just $12.50!*

Buy tickets at http://ticketing.theatrealliance.org/tickets/eventDetails.aspx?id=20487&org=fp

“Both brave and funny, Exit Cuckoo deserves our attention.” Eve Ensler

What began as a simple conversation between two nannies in Central Park grew into Exit Cuckoo, a solo theater work about the complex mother-child-nanny relationship. Playwright and actor Lisa Ramirez tells the stories of the women she met and interviewed while working as a nanny herself. Exit Cuckoo offers a candid, humorous, and sometimes critical look at motherhood and childcare today.

RUNNING TIME 2 hours

ARTIST BIO

Lisa Ramirez is an award-winning actor and playwright. Her writing credits include: Art of Memory, a dance theatre piece presented by Company SoGoNo at 3-Legged Dog in New York; Invisible Women-Rise, a collaboration with the Foundry Theatre and Domestic Workers United; and To the Bone, a new play about immigrant poultry plant workers that was commissioned by the Working Theater and is a 2011 Smith Prize and O’Neill National Playwrights Conference finalist. Lisa was one of four resident playwrights at the 2010/11 Maria Irene Fornés Hispanic Playwrights Residency Lab at INTAR.

*A $2 handling fee applies.

California's Babysitter Bill of Rights (AB 889)

2011-09-01T17:40:00.000-04:00

The California legislature is currently considering a bill, dubbed “the babysitting bill,” that would establish a bill of rights for all domestic employees, including babysitters under the age of 18. Assembly Bill 889 will attempt to give nannies, housekeepers, caregivers and other domestic employees the right to minimum wage, workers’ compensation coverage, overtime pay and a meticulous timecard. Out of all the rights being provided, most of which are given to legal domestic help already, one stands out as utterly absurd: the employer (the parents) must provide a fifteen minute break every two hours to allow for rest and meal breaks. This requires parents to arrange for an alternate caregiver to watch the kids for fifteen minutes at a time. That doesn’t sound plausible in the least bit. Currently, this bill has passed the California assembly and has enough support from the senate to make the Governor’s signature the final obstacle.

The bill has some obvious positives, as domestic employees deserve to have similar legal rights to all other employees, but the legislature must acknowledge the nature of childcare. It simply is not possible for families to hire two nannies every time childcare is needed, let alone convince one of them to be paid for working fifteen minutes every two hours. Most other jobs, such as salespeople or technicians, need these mandatory breaks. Their work allows for fifteen minutes when their duties do not have to be their focal point. Kids are a nanny’s focal point during the entirety of their shift. Childcare has some breaks built into the job itself. Kids must eat; can’t the nanny eat with the kids? Kids must rest; can’t the nanny rest when the kids rest? There can only be two reasons that this bill is likely to be passed in the upcoming weeks: lawmakers either cannot understand the simple concepts of child care, or this bill is viewed as a mechanism to create more tax revenue from an industry that is often based in cash transactions.

You may ask, “I don’t live in California, what does this have to do with me?” California, as well as New York (which already has a domestic employee bill of rights), is considered one of the most progressive states in the country. Therefore, many bills that are passed there, especially bills with liberal values such as AB 889, are often just beginning their tour of capitol buildings around the country. If this bill is passed, you can look forward to Pennsylvania following suit at some future date.

Fun Summer Activities for Kids in Philadelphia

2011-06-06T15:51:00.001-04:00

Looking for some fun summer activities in and around Philadelphia? Look no further! Here are some highlights to what will be a fun-filled and memorable summer. The activities cover a broad range of interests, from nature to theater and food. And by food, I mean the favorite food group of most kids, ice cream!!

The Tyler Arboretum

If you have never visited this 650 acre arboretum, it is time to pack up and take your kids to this natural wonderland, full of walks and short hikes through rare plants, ancient trees and historic buildings. Need a better reason than that? The Magical Habitats Exhibition, which will be ongoing through the summer, has been described as a “fantasy come to life.” Elves, gnomes, wizards and fairies occupy this brand-new neighborhood of natural dwellings. If this isn’t your cup of tea, check out the Totally Terrific Treehouses Exhibition, back by popular demand for another year of climbing and exploring. Bring a picnic and enjoy the view from these beautiful treehouses! 515 Painter Road, Media. Call (610) 566-9134 or visit tylerarboretum.org.

Robin Hood at the Media Theater

Who doesn’t enjoy the eternal tale of Robin Hood and his mischievous merry men? This rendition of the British folk story takes children and adults alike back into the magical Sherwood forest. This musical adaptation will entertain kids from ages 5 and up. The children will love the young cast’s humor and be singing songs all the way home! June 4-July 30. $10/kids, $12/adults. 104 E. State St., Media. Call (610) 891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.

Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand

Having become a regular summer sighting across the country, Alex’s Lemonade Stand returns to its original location in Wynnewood for a special event. Here is where a young girl made the best out of her childhood cancer, following the popular optimistic saying -when life give’s you lemons, you make lemonade. Help raise money for this great cause with fun, food, games and an exciting butterfly release! Last year’s event raised $100,000 and this year they hope to top that. If you're there by 1pm and like to dance (who doesn’t?), make sure to learn the dance to Katy Perry’s “Fireworks”, found on their website! June 11. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Penn Wynne Elementary School, 250 Haverford Road, Wynnewood. Call (610) 649-3034 or visit alexslemonade.org.

Super Scooper All You Can Eat Ice Cream Festival

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!! Reward your kids, teach them about the negatives of too much dessert and donate to a good cause all at the same time! Wawa’s Welcome America! Celebration benefits the Joshua Kahan Fund’s fight against pediatric leukemia. For just a $7 per person, you and your kids can enjoy ice cream from 20 vendors, including Haagen-Dazs, Ben& Jerry’s, Edy’s and Turkey Hill. July 2-4. Noon-5 p.m. daily; 6-9 p.m. July 2. Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia. Call (215) 683-2200 or visit welcomeamerica.com.

Local Sports

For all of you who aren’t Phanatics or are looking for cheaper activities, there are other great sporting events to take your kids to around Philadelphia. Love tennis? Go check out the WTT’s Philadelphia Freedoms in action. Opening July 6^th, the schedule contains highlighted visits from superstars Venus Williams, John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Lindsay Davenport and the top-ranked doubles team of the Bryan Brothers. Better with your feet than your hands? Check out the first-place Philadelphia Union. Watch them kick around the soccer ball in their brand-new stadium, PPL Park, led by star players Carlos Ruiz and Danny Mwanga. For a special treat, help them welcome to Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field one of the best teams in the world, Real Madrid, known as “Los Galacticos” (The Superstars) on July 23^rd. The Freedoms play matches through July 19. $8-$85. 800 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova. Call (610) 896-2890 or visit philadelphiafreedoms.com for a full schedule.

The Union plays games through August. $25-$150. PPL Park, 1 Stadium Drive, Chester. Call (610) 859-3100 or visit philadelphiaunion.com for a full schedule.

Need some more ideas? Check out an expanded list of great activities for adults and kids at manlinetoday.com

The Truth About the Regulation of Day Care Centers

2011-05-26T15:17:00.000-04:00

With all of the talk of regulating industries, I wondered about the role of regulation in day care centers. We have all heard the many horror stories that make their rounds on the evening news across the country, babies left unattended for long periods of time, overcrowding of small day care centers, and unsanitary practices. Although these stories are sensational, they don’t represent the average day care center. Without the direct oversight that parents have over their personal nannies, I began to wonder: who is watching the people who are watching the kids in the day care centers?

The answer to this question is rather unsettling. Every state sets the laws that dictate what type of oversight the state government will have over the child care centers, so there are varying levels depending on the state. However, compared to what is recommended by childcare experts, most states do not do nearly enough to keep tabs on the day care centers. In California, inspectors are required to check day care centers once every five years. Compare that to the once a year mandatory inspections of dog kennels and twice a year inspections of restaurants and the frequencies do not mirror priorities.¹ In Pennsylvania, the situation is ugly. The state employs 60 inspectors to cover the 8,500 day care centers registered in the state.² I don’t know about you, but I think it is impossible for 60 people to inspect those 8,500 centers enough to provide the level of comfort and safety we demand for our most precious possessions. Beyond that, Pennsylvania licenses centers, not the people working in the centers. Therefore, the owners of the centers, possibly attempting to cut costs, could hire less qualified employees to work in their centers with no fear of repercussion to their license. This gives the ability of child care centers who have been exposed for different violations to simply blame an employee, fire that employee, and continue on with business as usual. As I write this, I become progressively more wary of the day care center system. The worst part about this whole thing is, with the budget cuts that most states are passing throughout this financial downturn, the chances that the oversight of child care centers will decrease is greater than the chances that more money is spent to increase oversight. Scary, huh?

                After examining the day-care centers, I had to compare them to the nanny industry and its regulation. The greatest difference between the two is the personalized nature of the nanny industry versus the one adult to a group of children nature of day care. When using a nanny referral agency, before parents even interview a nanny, they have been run through a gauntlet of background checks and reference checks. These practices are outlined by the International Nanny Association on their website as Recommended Practices for Nanny Placement Agencies. By virtue of the job, parents, if they choose to, can observe the nannies through a variety of mediums. The parents also provide the venue in which the child spends a majority of time, the household. The common theme within all of these regulating tools is that they can vary from home to home, depending on the wishes of a parent. With day care centers, it is the one-size-fits-all model that acts as the safeguard. And if that model isn’t good enough, you may just be out of luck.

   1. http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/
   2. http://www.wtae.com/

New car seat advice

2011-04-19T19:14:00.000-04:00

CHICAGO — Children should ride in rear-facing car seats longer, until they are 2 years old instead of 1, according to updated advice from a medical group and a federal agency.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued separate but consistent new recommendations.

Both organizations say older children who've outgrown front-facing car seats should ride in booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits them. Booster seats help position adult seat belts properly on children's smaller frames. Children usually can graduate from a booster seat when their height reaches 4 feet 9 inches.

Children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat, the guidelines from both groups say.

Click here for full article

Show your support for TPNN! Vote in The Best Of Main Line Annual Reader's Choice Awards

2011-04-03T22:48:00.000-04:00

Please show your support for The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc.

by voting for us as "Best Nanny Services"

in the

2011 Reader's Choice Best of Main Line Times Media News

(Main Line Times and Main Line Suburban Life)

Annual Readers' Choice Poll!

With more than 25 years earning the trust of thousands of families, we are proud

to be an agency that our clients can count on.

99% of our clients said they would recommend us to a friend
80% come to us through a personal referral
95% of our clients are successful in hiring through us
90% of our permanent referrals stay past their first year commitment
98% of our temporary requests are filled in a timely and satisfactory manner
TPNN is the largest provider for corporate back up care allowing Main Line parents get to work when their regular child care arrangements break down

Voting for us is easy. All you have to do is visit:

http://forms.journalregister.com/allaroundphilly/MainLineRC/

Deadline is APRIL 15

1. Scroll down to "Miscellaneous" to find the category "Nanny Services"

2. Enter your name, address and phone number.

3. Ballots must be filled in and submitted online.

Many thanks in advance for taking the time to vote for us as Best Nanny Services. We sincerely appreciate your support and the opportunity to continue to serve you.

Wendy Sachs

President

The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc.
www.nannyagency.com

Beware of the nanny adoption scam

2011-04-03T22:38:00.001-04:00

Ardmore, PA—March 21, 2011—“She seemed like a great person, very articulate, very smart, she seemed so caring and so nice,” said the woman who found the nanny on sittercity.com, a national website that matches parents with local baby sitters and nannies. Her profile and photo showed a 26 year old Villanova law student, who worked part time at her uncle’s law firm. She had experience with infants and young children and passed a criminal background check with flying colors.

The Villanova family learned that this “nanny poser” who began taking care of their 7 month old daughter was actually an adoption scammer –a person who claims to have given birth to a child that doesn’t exist for emotional or financial gain. The “nanny poser” was stealing the identity of her employers, such as using photographs and other detailed information of the family, to show as “proof” to potential adoptive families that she was legitimately putting “her” child up for adoption.

All too true is the fact that people who use on line nanny agencies, without conducting additional screenings, are not immune to being scammed. “A comprehensive background check is needed to ensure an understanding of who you are hiring,” says Wendy Sachs, President of The Philadelphia Nanny Network and Co-President of the International Nanny Association (INA).

For some parents, browsing through websites of Internet based referral services from the comfort of their own home seems like the ideal way to find a nanny or a babysitter. Internet based referral services can provide a viable method for finding child care but a parent must be willing to invest time to screen, interview and check the references of each candidate, “and they must know how to identify the red flags”, says Sachs. For a small fee, parents can gain access to numerous candidates who list “profiles” on the company’s website. Many parents are surprised to learn, however, that candidates who list themselves undergo no screening process before they post their profiles to the site. “Parents should be aware that candidate’s identities are never verified, their childcare references are never checked and their employment history is never validated”, says Sachs and while many online services offer background screening services for additional fees, parents should inquire as to what the screenings include.

While on line agencies can be used as a recruiting tool, there is NO replacement for a comprehensive professional background screening procedure through which a brick and mortar agency would conduct on any nanny candidate. Sachs says, “Parents going the “do it yourself” route must follow through in doing their due diligence and use ALL tools available, understanding nothing can be a replacement of the expertise of agencies who have cultivated their own proprietary tools and developed skills that provide a tighter screening process than what a novice can complete.” Sachs notes that although there is no such thing as an airtight seamless procedure, it’s a best practice to use the most all-inclusive screening method available before leaving young children alone with a nanny. Further, parents need to understand that online screenings and online criminal record databases aren't always as comprehensive as presented. Many agencies offer an “a la carte” screening service for parents who have identified candidates on their own but want to tap into a professional’s expertise.

INA recommends following these practices for background screening, practices that are followed by INA member agencies, like The Philadelphia Nanny Network, in Ardmore, PA.

* Verify and authenticate a nanny candidate’s identity to ensure that the candidate is using real and accurate information about his or her own identity.
* Verify employment and educational history and applicable credentials and licenses.
* Perform state and county criminal record searches for every jurisdiction where the candidate has worked and lived, using any and all names the candidate has used, for at least the past seven years, depending upon applicable state laws.
* Perform a sex offender registry search for all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam.
* Review the candidate’s driving record.
* Comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and all other applicable local, state and federal laws.
* Perform periodic updating of background screenings for all placed nannies and nannies who provide temporary services.
Says Wendy Sachs, “Screening is the necessary key to protecting your children and family. An agency can do all the necessary checking and make recommendations so a family doesn’t have to go through what this Upper Providence family went through.”

Private eyes: Parents using hidden cameras to monitor nannies, baby sitters

2011-03-07T14:06:00.001-05:00

From the Chicago Tribune, February 25, 2011 | By Ryan Haggerty, Tribune reporter

Video cameras have caught baby sitters mistreating children at least twice this month, most recently in Chicago, according to authorities.

But although the hidden cameras appear to have served their intended purpose in those situations, police and child care experts emphasized that the best way for parents to protect their children is to properly screen candidates for nanny and baby-sitting jobs before hiring someone.

"Anytime that a family feels that there might be an issue and they install (a camera), nine out of 10 times it's too late," said Guy Maddalone, author of "How to Hire a Nanny."

On Thursday, a Chicago nanny was charged with aggravated battery after she allegedly was caught by a hidden camera choking and shaking a 15-month-old girl.

Also Thursday, a woman in Ohio was convicted, based on video captured by a hidden camera, of smothering the children she was baby-sitting to stop them from crying. Earlier this month, a Long Island nanny was charged after video allegedly showed her drugging an infant to keep the girl quiet.

While emphasizing the importance of background checks, Maddalone and Wendy Sachs, co-president of the International Nanny Association, said parents shouldn't hesitate to install cameras if it makes them feel more comfortable. The child care provider should be told about the cameras during the job interview, they said.

"It shouldn't be viewed as something that's terrible or scary," Sachs said. "There's nothing wrong with saying to a nanny that we have surveillance cameras and that's the way we evaluate your job performance, because you're performing your job and your duties and your responsibilities without us being around."

Although it's legal to install a hidden video camera in a home to monitor a child care provider, it might not be ethical, said Harold J. Krent, dean of the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.

"I think it's a sign of respect," Krent said. "You wouldn't want a nanny to work there if they felt uncomfortable that they were being videotaped."

Rhyder McClure, owner of the New York NannyCam Co., said he only sells cameras that are meant to be installed in plain view because hidden cameras often are discovered, causing nannies and baby sitters to feel they aren't trusted.

But managers at two Chicago stores that sell surveillance equipment said hidden cameras — disguised as everything from DVD players to air purifiers — are among their top-selling items.

Hilda Madrigal, sales manager at Total Security in the Edison Park neighborhood, said she's never had a customer who planned on telling a nanny about a video camera.

Even if parents tell an in-home employee about cameras, they shouldn't be surprised if the cameras turn up evidence of misbehavior, said Perry Myers, president of the Chicago-based U-Spy Store chain.

"Frankly, people do things in front of cameras," Myers said. "Despite the fact that there are cameras, they either forget about them or they don't think you're watching them."

Link to article
rhaggerty@tribune.com

TPNN Scholarship Contest - Get 50% off Conference Fees

2011-03-02T22:05:00.002-05:00

Member Scholarship

This year, INA is offering 50% off of 2011 INA Annual Conference registration fees to those members who joined INA after June 1, 2010 and who have never attended an INA Annual Conference.

Are you a current INA member who does not qualify for the new member/first time attendee 2011 INA Annual Conference promotional discount?

If so, you are invited to participate in the Family Helpers Scholarship Contest.

To enter The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc. Scholarship Contest, visit The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc. blog at http://thephiladelphianannynetwork.blogspot.com/ and write a few sentences (no more than 5) about what it would mean for you to attend the 2011 INA Annual Conference. Post your sentences in the comments section where this post appears.

One winner will be selected at random and posted on The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc. blog on March 18, 2011 to receive 1/2 of her conference registration fees paid for by The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc..

The fine print:

* To be eligible, you must have been an Individual Member of INA prior to June 1, 2011 and be a member in good standing.

* Sentences must be posted in the comments section on The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc. blog located at http://thephiladelphianannynetwork.blogspot.com/. Facebook comments and comments on any site other than The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc. official blog are not eligible for entry into the contest.

* All entries must be received by 11:59 pm, EST on March 17, 2011.

*If selected, you must complete the INA Annual Conference registration process prior to March 24, 2011.

Nanny News

2011-02-13T22:44:00.000-05:00

Start saving with helpful tips from The Financial Nanny
Alice Shaffer, The Financial Nanny, has some sound advice for nannies in her most recent post. To read the article, click here.

Save the date for the 2011 INA Conference!
The 26th Annual INA Annual Conference will be held at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Tampa Bay, Florida on May 12-15, 2011. There will be three days of informative workshops, opportunities for socializing and networking and of course, the announcement of the 2011 Nanny of the Year. For more information, click here. Registration begins in March at the INA website, www.nanny.org.

Happy New Year from TPNN!!

2011-01-04T23:13:00.000-05:00

NannyTemps™ Survival Kit

When you are heading to a temporary nanny job, it's essential to be prepared. For our professional temporary and corporate Nannies, here are a few suggestions for items it is helpful to bring along.

A print-out of the confirmation email for the job.

A notebook to jot down any instructions from the parents, and to log activities and info about your day with the child. This is especially good for newborns and sick children, so you can note times of feedings, naps, medication given, etc. Parents usually appreciate this, and it shows you are a caring and knowledgeable professional.

A water bottle. Not only essential for traveling, but to keep with you at the house - glasses have this strange tendency to spill in the presence of little ones.

Food/snacks for you. Depending on the length and time of day of the job, it's generally a good idea to not expect to be provided food at the family's house. Unless you've been there before and know the specific food situation, it's smart to have at least a small snack or sandwich with you. Energy bars can be a good emergency meal as well.

A book. In case you get to a job very early, find a nearby parking lot or spot to wait before actually arriving at the family's house.

Did we leave anything out? We want to hear from you! Post a comment letting us know what you have in your nanny survival kit.

Try these activities for holiday fun!

2010-12-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

Do you know how you can make this year's holiday season fun, fabulous and
special for your children? Whether you are having a “staycation” or planning a
trip, here are some fun activities to add some variety during the upcoming winter
days.

Let Them Entertain You
Organize a talent show, with singing, instruments, dancing or
miming favorite recordings (like American Idol for young people). Shadow shows are fun
with a light behind a sheet. Kids can create a script with homemade or available puppets
(socks and buttons make great puppets).

Hot cocoa and apple cider dates at Starbucks
Bring some cards or a small board
game, like chess, or checkers to play, and enjoy while watching your kids devour the
whipped cream!

Take a Hike
It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors.
Bundle up the kids, bird watch, hunt for pine cones....Of course, if it’s snowing, there’s
always building snow men and sledding. Even a very short time outdoors can be
exhilarating.

Carpet Picnics
Spread out a blanket in the family room and enjoy some food together. For
older kids, maybe you cook a meal or bake together and then share during your picnic. For
younger kids, have the kids invite a few of their favorite stuffed animals to join you on the
blanket!

Bowling is a Blast
Perfect activity when it’s too cold outside. Interactive and fun for the
whole family. Bumpers added to the lanes make it suitable for the very young.
Volunteer at a Local Food Bank. Here is an easy, fun and truly rewarding activity.

Create Artful Masterpieces
Pull out the art supplies that you rarely have time to
use...paints, sculpting clay, wiki sticks, pipe cleaners, crayons and markers etc. One idea is
create a noise maker to help bring in the New Year, using paper towel rolls you can fill with
dried beans or pennies, tape the open ends and decorate as desired.

Never Be Bored with Board Games
Simple, tried and true activity for everyone. From
the classics to the latest, they are always sure to please.

Dollar Store Shopping Spree!
Let kids choose fun toys/games/crafts to enjoy for the
week. Talk about a great bang for your buck!

Time Filling Models and Puzzles.
This one takes up a lot of time...just what you have! It
can be a Lego creation, automobile or motorcycle model, dollhouse, or just a good-old
fashioned jigsaw puzzle.

Be flexible and prepared. If one idea isn't working out, offer up a couple more
suggestions. Planning the activity can even be the activity. Write ideas on a small piece of
paper, fold them and place them in a hat. This is a nice, diplomatic option for those times
when your children are not in agreement about the activity! They can each take turns
picking from the hat.

As a backup, have some movies or music CDs and books on hand, toss around
a football, call a friend for a play date, bake some cookies or make your own sundaes...just
be careful, too much sugar is never a good idea unless you want everyone to be “bouncing
off the walls” Most of all, have a sense of humor, enjoy your time together, and find
time to relax...

From all of us here at The Philadelphia Nanny Network, we wish you a joyous holiday season and may you and your family be blessed with good health, good fortune, and great happiness today and always.

Happy Thanksgiving from TPNN!!

2010-11-23T12:24:00.001-05:00

Everyone at The Philadelphia Nanny Network wishes you and your family a happy Thanksgiving. To celebrate, try making some fun Thanksgiving crafts that make great holiday decorations! Click here to visit Kaboose.com to learn more.

PA State Troopers to Offer Free Car Seat safety Checks

2010-11-12T11:57:00.000-05:00

When it comes to child safety, one the most important things parents and caregivers can do is make sure their child's car seat is installed correctly. That's why free child safety-seat inspections will be scheduled during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Click It or Ticket" campaign from Monday to Nov. 27.

Information about inspection locations is available by calling any state police barracks or by visiting the "News and Media" link at www.psp.state.pa.us.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20101111_Pa__to_offer_free_child_safety-seat_inspections.html#ixzz155WVXYZP

Welcome to the TPNN Blog!

2010-11-05T14:28:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome to the Philadelphia Nanny Network blog. Check here for frequent updates, news, job listings and more.