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

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.

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!

Teaching the Holiday Spirit

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!