The Best Nanny Coaches

Nanny or not….here I come.

I want to talk about my experience of perspective changes that happened after working as a professional nanny. Of course I wanted to work as a nanny because I love to be around children and I love their energy and passion for life and learning. I love their sweet way of pronouncing words and innocent 100% truthful transparency. I love the way they develop a sense of humor and the sound of their hard laughter that comes from deep in the belly. I loved being a nanny and that is why I have worked so hard to make it my profession. I took child development classes and taught at some of the best pre-schools. I believe in the importance of every humans development from ages 0-5 and I am a proud parent of two wonderful growen children.

Im going to write very little about the very big subject of perspective.

Things like keeping the main thing the main thing can be applied to everyone at every job. I started to think about what that main thing is to me at my job and how that is actually a learned skill mixed with a life skill, so it is both, nature and nurture. I noticed my position and perspective could be helpful to others, so now I will to try to explain and hope you will see the change of perspective after this experience as well.

My job is based on children and their development. In child development courses we learn about nature and nurture and study a lot of different theries and thealogens and collect a lot of different titles to identify many individual differences in our stages of developmental growth. We use words like theorist or behavior and we learn about the names of conditions for certain types of behaviors on a spectrum.

Are these titles helpful to our learning about each other or do we have titles for our own protection. It seems like titles are there to protect the people using the title. But why do we need protection from a conversation about an individual or about an observation?

Is keeping the main thing the main thing a truth or is it a relative term?

How is someone going to be understood during a conversation about children and make a statement like ‘keeping the main thing, the main thing’ if it’s a relative term?

Currently, I am not working by choice. I have been looking but that is another conversation and Im going to stay focused on the perspective change after the experience.

The other day I had a conversation with a new parent and ‘the main thing’ came up. The parent smiled at me and nodded her head in agreement. It was as if we had an understanding. It was about the children and what’s best for them…..being the main thing. I was pleased and the conversation ended well…I thought. It turns out her main thing is not the same as my main thing. Her main thing was getting a warm body in the house so she could go do her job. I admire and understand the challenges of being a single parent and making the rent and paying the bills. I have absolute respect for this parent and I want to use this example to expose our difference in perspective. I want to tell you what I thought the main thing was. I thought the main thing was about the childrens development and nurture. Her main thing was making sure someone was going to show up so she could get her work done.

Here’s where the main thing may be a disconnect in phrase and its ideology.

 Why would I make note of this observation and what difference does it make? Everyone has their own individual differences. I had a new perspective after this experience and wanted to share how the perspective is new after the experence.

Seriously, here’s the bottom line of my concern: Each generation has a timeline of events that took place for us to observe the cause and effect of those events on each generation.

I’m looking at this generation. I’m living in my timeline and seeing radical changes happening in real time.

What is the main thing today? That is a large umbrella to label but If I had to categorize the umbrella it would be in the technology department. 

Why is that a concern for me? That is a concern for me because I’m observing the lack of importance with all things human. This is a small sound bite for a bigger picture. 

Hello, may I introduce Artificial Intelligence.

A/I and Humanity.

Either/Or, both/and. Is it possible for children to have both/and, when it comes to skills in 

A/I and humanity.

My concern is about the development and growth that happens in the first five years of life. Those years seem to set the stage for what’s to come in every aspect.

While those five years come and go quickly we still struggle with the skills needed to get through it. Lack of patients, lack of sleep, lack of work, lack of health, lack of money are just 5 things out of 100 that take place during the first 5 years and challenge the very core of most parents.

The humanity part of being human is becoming a skill. This may sound a little obvious as if it was always a skill that we learned as we grew, however, today’s world is not requiring that we live our lives as we once did and with that a new skill has arrived: the skill of what I call humanistic AI.

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*Dedicated to a job in Carlsbad, Ca

Remember that this is your job and your job is based on nurturing relationships and the development of children and you will stay intrinsically motivated! 

As a nanny, being valued and having value are two different things. For example…

A nanny may ask herself if the people she works for think she’s ‘just a baby sitter’

The answer is YES! (90% of the time)

This is only one example and it is about being valued and respected.

You may want your boss to acknowledge you as an excellent nanny because you are much more than a baby sitter. Although babysitters are very important, I’m talking about the highest level of responsibility and trust in your home on a regular basis. Here is an example.  

I found out one parent was out extremely late working on a construction project for his company and did not get to bed until 4:00 A.M. the next morning. The mom had already left for work, and the grandpa was in the guest room with door shut. The baby was in a poopy diaper and the two other children were starving! 

Everyone counted on me arriving as early as I always do.

They didn’t need to ask me to take the boys to school, I just started to prep my car with all 3 car seats and got them ready as usual to get them to school on time.  I fed them and cleaned them up and sang songs on the way that morning to help with their emotions.

That example alone was more than a babysitter’s responsibilities, but there’s more.

As the day progressed, I remembered their mother saying that she will take the children to start swimming lessons this Thursday evening…..Today is Tuesday so I took the littlest one to the pool for about 30-60 minutes and got in and kicked and familiarized her with and without water wings. This is an excellent thing to do if you/the parent had the time, but you do not and I took that into consideration.  Do baby sitters do this? Would you agree that both have value and that one might deserve higher pay based on their level of competence to compinsate more pay based on the higher level of value?

Remembering your job is based on nurturing relationships and the development of children will help you to go the extra mile. Actions speek louder than words and your contirbutions are invaluable. I have Value and respect to all nannies!

Today started like any regular work day. I woke up at 4:45 and left my house 30 minutes later to get to work before three children woke up. My start time is 6:A.M.

 When I arrive, I quickly and quietly dis- alarm the house. I put my things down and start to clean off the table, counter tops, and dishes from the night before. I’ll check the trash cans in case they are full and pick up random toys from the kitchen floor, counter, table and living room.    

Sometimes, the children’s father is already gone when I arrive while their mom’s busy getting ready for work. She usually leaves within the first 20 minutes of my arrival.

 If one or two of the children are awake they are allowed to quietly watch a show before I serve breakfast. The television has become a big distraction so the parents said it could be on before I arrive and after school with the exception of weekends. Weekends are for bing-watching! *Those are the parents hours with their children.

The parents set this rule but left me to enforce it, so I decided to make it fun.

The children argue over the shows they want to watch or throw a fit when it is time to turn the television off. 

Sometimes they do not want to come eat breakfast because pouting is real when you’re only 3 years old! 

 I found a way to help them get through those emotional moments by reading to them. I read every morning. They love it and It made perfect sense!

 I would say, “as long as you’re eating …I’ll keep reading”. 

Sometimes we would read a favorite book over and over or have a variety from the local library. Either way, it was a really great use of time. Books around the holidays are always a win.

‘Reading while they are eating’ is an excellent opportunity to serve a message they may otherwise not want to hear. Children’s books are an excellent tool to help us teach about anything and everything that is current and important to children. For example, brushing your teeth, learning to swim, or sharing your toys! The opportunities are endless and knowing how to choose the right book with the right amount of words and pictures is very important. *These are some examples of how I spend time with your children.

Love The Nanny

There are only 3 things you need to create a platform for imaginary play. The platform is imaginary so work with me here.

1. Any amount of time
2. Any environment
3. Any subject

Playing with children is one thing. Children playing with you is another. Children know when you are really actually having fun or if they are being patronized. I have seen children patronized by many well meaning adults. Basically when this happens, it is an adult playing with a child, not a child playing with an adult. When I observe this, I call it ‘dressed up parallel play.’ When a child is engaged in play with you it is much different then parallel play. What is parallel play? It is exactly what it sounds like. There is play happening, but it is simply happening along side of others at play. When you are playing together, a dialogue is taking place and conversation is happening at the pace of a regular conversation. This is a platform for imaginary play to thrive.

Now get out there and pretend to be mermaids or mermen or whatever the child/children like to pretend play and have fun!

Hello all,

Today I would like to encourage all of you to intuitively look at your current job status.

Stop and breath if you are new at this.

Don’t stop breathing if you have done this for a long time!

“Add volume to your depth” is simply written to remind you of your importance.

It is an honor to be part of another persons development. This is deep and I encourage you to take a deep dive inwardly and look at all of the good qualities you bring to work with you. The depth of your care and nurture may be easy to see as you outwardly express what you hold internally. I want to encourage you to speak up and let others know the truthful importance of your care as a nanny or manny.

Many people have said they could not do child care and that is a true statement.

If you do not like what you do, then do something different so everyone wins!

If you like what you do, thank you, and think about how you can verbalize more of the important things that are going on while you partner with the parent/s to nurture our future generations.

Don’t loose your balance.

I used to believe that all I had to do was …

Work hard/play hard and be good to myself. To live a good life keep work life balance.

Nope not true. The truth is that the first thing I need is Jesus!

When life is hard Jesus helps me.

When life is good I praise the Lord.

When the sun comes up I ask God for help and thank the Holy Spirit for guidance.

I have learned how to find peace and Joy and it is in God alone.

Don’t loose your peace by working for Joy. Go straight to God to get it.

Hi again,

The Best Nanny Coach

“Nanny/Manny Land Minds”

Watch it now on YouTube.

The Best Nanny Coach Land …

I just finished making a video for youtube. The title is called Nanny Land Minds. I hope you will get the chance to watch it in addition to reading this blog. 

What are Nanny Land Minds? 

Basically, any person, place or thing that bumps into your daily rhythm flow, routine or ritual.

 I’m going to give you a few examples and I hope you find them helpful.

Nanny/Manny Land Mind #1.

A Traveling Land Mind….and treats.

 This is very common. When you have had a long day of travel and finally arrived at the hotel, watch out!

 The hotels have colorful packages full of snacks and treats on display inviting you to eat them. This is a potential land mind because when children travel, they do not typically eat as much as they would if they were in their home routine. If they see and want and get to eat a yummy snack they will be getting something they usually do not eat, after traveling without eating much, and they are already tired…now the swing of sugar goes up and what goes up must come down.👍👎

💥POW💥 A Travel Land Mind!

 But, here is the good news…

  Now that you have read this you will know how to avoid this from happening to you. When you are first walking into the room, ask a family member, friend, or team member to go in just before you and cover up all the treats with a bathroom towel. The children are always curious and excited about looking through the rooms. While they do that you take a few minutes to move the treats to a closet and get out something you have packed for them to eat.

*I will list a few travel food ideas at the end of this article:)

 Use daily preparation to avoid devastation.

Nanny Land Mind Example #2. 

What do you do when someone comes to visit the family and brings treats or it’s a holliday and treats are all over the place all the time?

Remember, daily preparation to avoid devastation. The holidays are full of sweets and treats.

 It’s Nanny Land Mind Season!💥 You will be better off if you go into it knowing and expecting sugar to abound. With that knowledge you can prepare something for the child/children to eat with protein every day. Every day, no matter the season, it is important that you offer a variety of healthy choices to balance it out.  

*I will add a list of healthy snack choices at the end of this article. They are easy “go to” snacks that I like to call RDCF.  “Routine Damage Controle Foods”

💨Nanny Land Mind Diverted💨

Nanny Land Mind Example#3 Outdoor Play

When a very young child wants to go outside and play football or soccer but does not want to put their socks and shoes on….what do you do? This can quickly turn into a teary outcome that I will help you avoid.

Let them go without their socks and shoes but bring them. Just bring the socks and shoes then encourage them to show you what they can do. That is usually when they will want you to help them put on their socks and shoes. 

💨Nanny Land Mind Diverted💨

Nanny Land Mind Example #4 Games and How to avoid disappointments because the games haven’t been put back in their boxes. 

This is an easy one to get blindsided with. If you open the box and the game is missing or parts of the game is missing 💥BAM!💥 Nanny Land Mind, direct hit. 

I’m writting this because I know how to prevent that from happening and I know how to prepare for what to do if that happens.

 First, always try to put away a game when you are done playing. I understand that is easier said than done for many different reasons.   

Second, only have games on display that you know have all the parts and pieces in their box.

Third, If you can see it’s an absolute favorite game, ask the parents to buy another one as a back-up.

Fourth, keep a new unopened age appropriate game or two in a nearby closet.

I hope you liked these examples of Nanny Land Minds and remember they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are guaranteed to help you figure out new strategies. I want to encourage you because it’s a continual journey.  

Every age has a new milestone, and every milestone represents the journey and every journey creates a memory that lasts a lifetime. Thank you for what you do.

*Land Mind Example #1… a few travel food ideas at the end of this article:)

 Use daily preparation to avoid devastation.

Pre cook and pack in travel containers quinoa & oatmeal. It travels well and is a good carb with protein. Bring a variety of berrys and greens that have been pre washed, sliced and packed in travel containers. Dried organic fruits, *nuts(if no allergies) and crackers. Bring cooked washed and peeled organic edamame and a few Hard boiled eggs pre peeled and washed. Add some hummus pre washed and cut celery, carrots snap peas and broccoli. Apples and oranges travel well if they are not pre cut. Include a pack of hand wipes.

Nanny Land Mind Example #2 

*I will add a list of healthy snack choices at the end of this article. They are easy “go to” snacks that I like to call  “Nutrition Based Snack Foods”

Prepare some tiny pancakes from a protein based mix.

Have *nut butter to dip with sliced apples ready on a plate at all times.(*if no allergies to nuts)

Make a smoothie with some Almond milk and add a few walnuts.

Have a small bowl of mixed nuts and dried fruit always available. 

Slice some different colored bell peppers and offer them with some cheese and crackers.

If yogert is not a dietary concern, offer some plane organic yogert with a swirl of organic agava. 

Make your own popsicles out of fresh squeezed lemons or frozen smoothie mix.

Make a “Banana Burger” no crust.

Make “ants on a log” with celery sticks.

Birthday Party Craft and Preparation

Watch on utube 🎉