100 Tips for Nannies and Families

Kids are unique individuals.  Each child will have specific things that will tend to make him/her feel more or less bonded with his/her babysitter.  While one child may respond well to a babysitter that is mild mannered and enjoys reading books to him/her, another child may prefer a babysitter that is high energy and enjoys […]

Families in the US are spending a large percentage of their take-home pay on child care.  According to Child Care Aware ® of America*, the US Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable child care as that which consumes approximately 10% of the family income.  However, in most states, the average cost of child […]

You’re tired.  The baby just went down for a nap.  The house is a mess.  You’ve got spit-up milk on your shirt.  You’re pretty sure you smell like the diaper you changed not five minutes ago.  This is not the time to be going out and about, running errands and accomplishing tasks outside your home, […]

You are job seeking as a babysitter/tutor; you want to care for and help educate children.  What follows are tips to help you land a great job as a babysitter/tutor. First, consider what parents likely consider to be the ideal candidate for this position.  What skills, abilities, and background will parents probably be looking for […]

You are a first-time parent.  Why should you hire a babysitter for your new little bundle of joy? 1.      So you and your spouse or partner can have a date night periodically.  These date nights keep the spark going in your relationship when breast pumps, dirty diapers, and regurgitated milk would otherwise diminish the spark. […]

You and your spouse are planning a night out for just the two of you, but your child doesn’t want a babysitter.  You will not leave your child home alone.  Are you and your child at an impasse?  Read on for tips on how to proceed. 1.      Ask your child why s/he doesn’t want a […]

You want to set up a sitter sharing arrangement.  You and your two best friends are on a budget.  You never get date nights with your husbands.  It’s time to do something about that.  Here is how you can set up a sitter sharing arrangement. First, you and your two best friends need to ask […]

Your family needs a nanny, a babysitter, or an eldercare giver.  It’s tough.  You don’t know where to begin.  Should you run a help-wanted advertisement?  How will you know who is a good candidate and who is not?  Is the drawing pool from the advertisement sufficiently large to give you a good array of candidates […]

Your only child is starting school.  You no longer need a full-time nanny: a part-time nanny or babysitter is what you will need going forward (at least until next summer).  How do you prepare your child for the transition? Have a clear plan for who your new part-time nanny/babysitter will be and what will happen […]

You’re going to the hospital to have surgery for a non-life-threatening condition.  Do you tell your children?   If so, what do you say to them?  How do you prepare them for what is to come? Except for children who are pre-verbal (i.e., infants), you should tell all your children that you’re going to the hospital […]