Is It Worth Your Life

As the Public Service Announcement broadcasted, millions of viewers watched a grieving sister who held up a sign saying, “R U...” That was the last text message she sent to her younger sister, Ashley.  Instead of waiting until she arrived at her destination safely, Ashley made a choice to read the incoming message while driving. At the “R U…”, Ashley’s car ran off the road.  She was killed upon impact.

Tragedies, such as Ashley’s, prompted AT&T to launch a national Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign titled, It Can Wait as a pledge to save lives.  Found on online, or posted on social networking pages, this oath can be taken as a commitment  not to text, talk or focus on the phone while driving.

According to AT&T, people who text while driving, are 23 times more likely to be involved in, or cause a crash.  Michael Headen, a business management major at Holy Family University, felt the effects of texting while driving.  He was run off the road by a young driver on the phone who ran through a red light.  “I refuse to text and drive because I know that no text message or phone call is worth my life. Knowing that I could injure myself, or end someone else’s life, just because of a message, would make it hard for me to look at myself in the mirror,” said Headen, who advocates against texting while driving.  “Summer months, due to the absence of school days and newly vacationing families, are the most dangerous months of the year,” a quote stated on the AT&T website. Some states have now banned texting and talking while driving with laws.  In NJ the laws fall under the same category as drunk driving.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, 10 states banned talking while driving, and 39 states banned texting while driving.  Neglecting these laws will result in a fine. “Although I know it’s wrong, we are so consumed with our everyday life that we feel as if we don’t access to our cell phones while driving, we’re missing something,” said Immaculata University senior Allison Zbrowski. Zbrowski admitted that, while the possibility of an accident does scare her, putting down the phone is difficult because cell phones serve multiple functions.

Cell phone companies have made putting the phone down an oxymoron.  Phones are now "smart" and used not only for communicating but also to find a direction to a destination or to get the latest sports scores or to play a game with a friend 1000 miles away.  AT&T launched an experiment using simulated texting drivers.  Drivers were asked to respond to a flashing light while texting.  A majority of the participants never noticed the flashing light because they were consumed by texting.  “When I text and drive, I notice what’s right in front of me. Anything else is usually out of my view,” said Brittney Wilson, a senior psychology student from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  Texting and driving is familiar to Wilson, who admitted she caused a fender bender while on her phone a year ago.

“In 2010, texting while driving increased 50 percent in one year, and two out of 10 drivers say they've sent text messages or emails while behind the wheel, despite a rush by states to ban the practice,” noted in a statement released by AT&T at the beginning of their campaign.  By the end of 2012, AT&T will have been to more than 200 cities convincing drivers, especially young drivers, It Can Wait.  AT&T’s campaign is determined to reach everyone in their outreach.  Aside from touring, they have released multiple PSA showing the effects of texting while driving. All of these tragedies could have been prevented by doing one thing.  Take the pledge and put the phone down. IT CAN WAIT!
Written by Porsha Haynes, Senior, Holy Family University

The Summer Slide

Can you believe summer is almost done? School will be here sooner than we know it because once again the summer has gone way too fast!  As we prepare our little ones to head back to the classroom in September, have you found that certain skills that were mastered by your children in June have begun to deteriorate? In other words, has the “summer slide” has found its way into your house?

The “summer slide” is described as the loss in learning that occurs when students are not engaged in scholastic, academically enriching activities for a prolonged period.  By the end of summer vacation, the average student loses approximately a month’s worth of learning acquired from the previous year.  And it doesn’t end there, as studies have shown the impact is cumulative. A 2007 Johns Hopkins University study found that by ninth grade, about two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading, for example, can be attributed to summer learning loss that took place in the first five years of schooling.

Nationally, there are approaches being discussed to prevent learning loss over the summer months.  However, as parents and caregivers what can we do here and now to help our children?  Today The Philadelphia Nanny Network wanted to share some ideas to help spark some creativity as we get ready for Back to School. Here are just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing and help make summer fun also equal summer learning.  There are still precious few summer days left, here are some ideas that both parents and nannies can work on together to make the most of them:

1.       Build a family game – game building is a very creative approach to science and math.  This is a great way to develop problem-solving skills while allowing children to be innovative.  Nannies can help the children work on a plan for the game, research and get supplies.  The children and nanny can build the game together.  After nanny hours, parents and children can play the game together, and the children get to “teach” the parents how to play.

2.       Find a reading program at the local library or bookstore that can fit into the children and nanny’s daily schedule.  Visit http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/ for additional resources on summer reading that can be carried into the new school year.  Parents can ask the child about the “rose” (best) and “thorn” (worst) part of the trip and read a library book before bed.

3.       Do a project together as a family.  Summer is the perfect time to complete DIY projects around the house.  Assign each family member an age appropriate job to research and complete.  Nannies can help the children plan budgets (math), plan out measurements (math and science), colors (problem solving) and so much more.  Projects can be incorporated into a fun family project to be enjoyed throughout the year.  With parents, the children can complete the project.  Each new day, the children can give a status update to the nanny and show off the work that was done.

It takes a village, and these are just a few ways that parents and nannies can work together so that children are ready to hit the books when school starts.

Is your child ready for the upcoming school year?  If so, what did your family network do to keep the “summer slide” out of your home and in the back yard where it belongs?

Can Women Have It All?

These past few weeks, the internet has been abuzz discussing “the working mom”, as though it’s a new concept. And while the concept has existed for decades upon decades, the strong opinions surrounding the Mommy-Wars are as fresh as ever. Thanks to Anne-Marie Slaughter’s anything-but-brief article, entitled “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All”, feminist ideas are coming under fire and maternal guilt is on the rise. Slaughter argues that, as the title suggests, women cannot have both a successful career and a successful family life. It comes down to a choice: either your career or your family can flourish, but not both. She notes that many successful career women, now in their 50s and 60s, have had to sacrifice time with their children and spouses to push against the glass ceiling; while women in their 30s and twenty-somethings are hesitant to begin a professional career because they someday want a family and have already come to the realization that they will never be able to have both. Naturally, her opinions received some opposition including many response articles. One of which, written by Jacoba Urist for Forbes Magazine, unveils the very solution to creating a manageable work-life balance. A solution that The Philadelphia Nanny Network, Inc. has been long aware of-

A really good nanny.

Urist discusses a novel idea that maybe women CAN have it all, if they just spread “it all” throughout the day. Between 6p and 8a, a woman can be a mother and raise a loving and successful family. Then from 8a-6p, she can be a lawyer, a writer or whatever her professional calling may be. And she can do all this by finding a nanny that is the right fit, an extension of her family and someone she can trust to raise her children while she is in her other role. As Urist states, “The key to a stronger family unit isn’t trying to juggle parenting and being something else. It’s about letting go and trusting the person or people who raise and educate your kids while you’re not around— and believing that your bonds with your child are strong enough to withstand your workday.”

What makes a parent?

The nuclear family. Even the expression seems somewhat dated in 2012. These days many people believe a mom, a dad and 2.5 children isn’t necessarily required to create a happy and loving environment where children can thrive.

Now a days families come in all shapes and forms: single parents; two mom households; two dad households; single parents and another relative or grandparent. This list could go on and on but legally speaking, there is one restriction, a child may have only 2 legal parents. This legality then excludes many other kinds of families such as two parents and grandparents or additional relatives all raising a child together; same sex parents plus an additional biological parent; biological parents plus a surrogate or donor; blended families and more. Shouldn’t all of these individuals have legal rights when it comes to the children they are raising? California State Senator Mark Leno and legislation SB 1476 believe they absolutely should!

This new legislation, State Bill 1476, has been proposed by San Francisco Democrat Mark Leno. The bill has passed the senate in California and is now in assembly. It would allow three or more individuals to legally act as a child’s parents, in family structures where it would be applicable. The bill does not expand the definition of who can be a parent, just expands the number of those individuals beyond two.

As could be expected, the reaction to this legislation has been large and loud. But what has been somewhat surprising is that the logical backlash—concerned mainly with legislative and judiciary ripples this bill may cause—has greatly surpassed the social backlash. The Association of Certified Family Law Specialists note tax deductions, citizenship, probate, public assistance, school notifications and Social Security rights are all affected by legal status of parenthood. The group’s president, Diane Wasznicky, mentioned that changes in the aforementioned programs are only some of many unintended consequences they fear may arise. The California Protective Parents Association brings forth the additional concern that children may be forced to bounce between any number of multiple homes as a result of custody battles. However, Attorney Catherine Sakimura of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, an organization co-sponsoring SB 1476, notes that, under the bill, judges must consider child stability when awarding custody and visitation.

All things considered, the question that should fuel the decision in the assembly becomes what are the benefits of SB 1476? And do they outweigh any possible negative effects? What do you think? Will SB 1476 help to redefine family structures and bring custody issues into the modern ages; or will it confuse the already muddy topic of who has rights and responsibilities when it comes to raising a child in today’s society? Additionally, is it something necessary in society, certainly one can act as a parent and influencer in a child’s life without documentation that they have taken on such a role. Is this issue important in promoting acceptance of the growing number of family types? Regardless of the outcome of SB 1476, we all can be certain that it takes a village to raise a child and the child’s influencers and caregivers often include parents, grandparents, other relatives, close friends, teachers, coaches and of course, nannies!

Nannies, It’s Cold Outside!

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!)

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!

Celebrate American Education Week!

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.