New Year's Resolutions

We all make them, and we break them. Here's one I hope you'll keep and share with others you know. The wonderful people at Hooked on Phonics have created a wonderful program that gives back to the community, and all of us can get involved.

Basically, if you make a New Year's Resolution to teach a child to read in 2009, HoP will donate a learn-to-read kit to needy children through FirstBook.org, a really cool non-profit. The best part is that it is FREE.

So get started today! Pledge now to help a child to read in 2009, and give them the tools they need to succeed not only with reading, but with their overall education.

Working With Divorced Parents

I've spent the past 10+ years working with divorced parents. I was thrilled to be asked to write about my perspective on this specialty niche and my suggestions and observations were published at the blog for Morningside Nannies in Houston, TX.

You can also hear an interview I did at All About Nanny Care on this topic which has some more information, not included in the blog.

I invite you to check both of them out and let me know what you think about nannies who work with divorced parents. What advice do you have?

Be The Best Nanny Monthly Guide - one of the best resources available to our industry

In my opinion, the Be The Best Nanny Monthly Guide is one of the best resources available at a great price to anyone in the nanny industry. Stephanie Felzenberg goes above and beyond each month to bring her readers the best information, resources, experts and advice.


Each newsletter is topic based ranging from ...

• Nanny Taxes
• Nanny Health Insurance
• Nanny Training Programs
• Working with Nanny Agencies
• Nanny Support Groups
• Nanny Web Sites
• Protecting Children Online
• Getting Raises
• Nanny Background Checks
• Nannies Traveling with Families
• Working for Nontraditional Families
• How to Leave a Job
• Children's Safety & Home Safety
• Child Development
• Caring for Multiples
• Nutrition & Cooking with Kids
• Nannies and Negotiating
• Sleep Habits and Nap time
• Organizing the Job, Home, Paperwork & Portfolio
• Imaginative & Dramatic Play
• Breaking Bad Habits
• Children's Self-Esteem
• How Much Housekeeping Should Nannies Do?

If you haven't yet experienced BTBN, I invite you to check out a complimentary copy. You'll like what you see. Then you can subscribe and get the most up-to-date issue delivered directly to you!

Want more information? Check out the Be The Best Nanny Monthly Guide Blog.

Stephanie has offered one lucky All Things Nanny reader a free email subscription to Be The Best Nanny Monthly Guide. To be eligible, go to the BTBN Blog, find your state and then come back here and leave a comment in this topic, with your state hourly part-time rate. One winner will be selected using Random. Deadline is Dec. 18. Winner will be notified by email (make sure to leave your email address in the comment you leave).

Nanny Adventures Celebrates 100 Posts

My friend, Nanny A over at Nanny Adventures is celebrating her 100th post by giving away a free gift - just in time for the holidays!

Go check it out - the deadline is today though, November 20th.

Nannypalooza 2009 Announced

If you've attended Nannypalooza in the past, you'll know that 2009 will be another great event for nannies and industry professionals to attend. Never attended? You won't want to miss this opportunity to meet other nannies, network with industry professionals and enhance and expand your knowledge of many issues we face in this industry.

Nannypalooza 2009
October 17/18
McLean VA (Washington, DC metro area)

I look forward to seeing many familiar faces there, and meeting many new people as well.

If you've attended Nannypalooza, I'd love to hear why you like attending. What is the best piece of information you learned that you've been able to utilize in your work?

TODAY show - New Face of Mary Poppins, part 2

I hope you got a chance to see the TODAY show segment this morning. If not, my great friend Michelle LaRowe Conover sent me the segment link early this morning. Check it out and let me know what you think of specialized / niche nannies. This was a great positive story on nannies! While my interview wasn't included, it was great to see some of my wonderful friends on camera including Myrna Alphonse, Sue Downey, and MaryAnn X. Meddish. If you look closely, you can see my back and my nice green shirt I was wearing. I'm also thrilled that the opening shot was of ADCAN material we had on the Nanny Support Group table, and TANG got a great view of their information as well. Overall, a great segment and positive exposure for our industry.

See what's new over at Nanny Adventures

My friend Alice has a fun blog of things that go on in her corner of the nanny world. She's got a new post on how to get some fun freebies and how to save on shopping - just in time for the holidays.

But my favorite so far is the Lead Warnings ... this is a must read for everyone and will definitely make you smile.

Enjoy!

New Face of Mary Poppins

While I was at Nannypalooza earlier this month, the TODAY show was there, interviewing conference attendees who specialized in a certain field of nannying - infant care, multiples, special needs and in my case - working for divorced parents.

Those interviews are scheduled to air THIS THURSDAY - October 30. The focus will be on specialized nannies. I invite you to watch or set your Tivo or DVR's.

After the segment, come back and share your thoughts on the New Face of Mary Poppins.

Welcome to my new venture. All Things Nanny is my platform to provide to you - All Things Nanny - resources, reviews, industry news, events, humor, as well as sharing my 20 years experience as a nanny with you all.

My wish is to make this a place for you to come back to again and again, and that you'll share with everyone you know. I hope you'll offer comments, suggestions and share with me your experiences.

2009 INA Conference Announced

The International Nanny Association will host its 24th Annual Conference April 23-26, 2009 in Dallas, TX.


I highly recommend this conference to anyone in the in-home child care industry who has never attended an industry conference before. This Thursday - Sunday event is filled with networking opportunities, workshops, phenomenal speakers, industry leaders, and much more.


The INA also recognized an outstanding nanny in her profession by recognizing the Nanny of the Year. As a past INA Nanny of the Year (1997), I encourage all nannies to bring out their best and reach for this accomplishment and be recognized by your peers for the work you love.


Watch for more details on the conference as they become available.

Have you attended an INA Conference? What is the most important thing you've learned from attending Conference? What is your favorite memory?

Coming Soon!

Check back in the weeks to come for information on All Things Nanny ...

Your source for information, education, resources, insight, products, wisdom, humor and much, much more.