The Creative Nanny

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while, I am so busy! I am working around 60 hours a week (never been done before by me!) and it tuckers me out. But I really do love being a nanny. Out of all the jobs I could get right now, it is the best! We get to play all day and unlike when I was young, I get to decide most of the time what we do ;)

I am working as a private nanny full-time and on the side am working part-time for Seeking Sitters. I think Seeking Sitters is brilliant! Whenever I want a job, I can get one. It makes everything very convenient. You should check them out if you are looking for a sitter.

Whether you are looking for someone full-time or part-time or for a single event, they can find you someone almost every time. I say almost because it depends on where you live. If you plan last minute and live somewhere  where your local Seeking Sitters doesn't have enough sitters for a particular night, you may not get what you need. BUT if you plan far enough ahead you are guaranteed a sitter which is fantastic.

If you want to check them out, you can visit them here: seekingsitters.com.
You can see if there is a location near you and get connected straight away.

I have no problem using this as a plug for them, I really do like working with them!

Well for now I will say talk to you later and I will see you in the fall! There are great things planned and if you would like to help this blog get there, contact me on the contact page.

Bye!

Ahhh...summer. Although it more than likely means more hours for you as a nanny, it also means much easier activities with the kids. Sure, you can't leave the kids outside, all day everyday, but much more often then before, they are okay with that (with supervision, of course ;)).

On top of going outside, there are other activities to do, of course, that involve getting out of the house. As a nanny you need to be prepared on every front to deal with every situation that could possibly occur. This is a list of the basic things you should have with you at all times. For the ladies, you may want to consider a large purse or small duffel bag. For the male sitters, get out your man purses! ;)

List of items:

• First Aid kit
• bandages
• gauze
• antiseptic
• calamine or anti-itch cream
• thermal blankets
• glow sticks
• CPR and Heimlich how-to instructions
• mouth guard for CPR
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Flashlight
• Any epi-pens for yourself or the children
• Driver's license
• Auto insurance
• Cell Phone
• Cell charger (both wall and car)
• Notepad
• Pen
• Batteries
• Baby wipes
• Kid Videos/DVDs/CDs
• A snack
• Small travel board game
• Bubbles

Oh gosh, water. It can be friend or foe. In a contained environment, it can be a fun way to play and to learn. Water is best used as a sensory tool for younger kids.

One time I allowed my charges to put Play-doh in the water. It felt really weird and slimy. I just filled a tub with water, gave them some Play-doh. and they went to town. Also, some toys and paper towels also ended up in the mix somehow. They had so much fun, it lasted them 3 hours straight of playtime, only ended by lunchtime.

I wish I had thought this out better. They did it one the dining room table which resulted in doughy water all over the wood and on the floor. It would have been much more suitable for outside play. I guess I didn't realize to what extent this would actually go.

Water can be used for many things, though, really. It can be used much in the same way as rice play. Put marbles or favorite toys in the tub and let the child explore and see what they can do with what they have.

This one is interesting and can teach a child a lot. You can teach a child letter and sound recognition and have older ones form words from the letters they fish out of the tub.

Equipment:
Stick
String
Magnet
Magnetic letters

Directions:
Tie the string from the stick to the magnet.
Place the magnetic letters in a tub half filled with water.

Have the kids fish for the letters. As they pull out letter have them say the letter name and it's sound. For kids learning to read, have them form words once they start getting a good amount fished out. Or have them purposely fish for certain letters to form words they already know.

Ah bubbles. One of life's most simple manmade joys. But to be honest, some of those bubble bottles have some really odd names in the ingredients panel. So why not make your own so you know exactly what is in them?

The one I've always been taught is liquid dish soap and water. You only need about a drop of soap for a cup of water. But, if you want better, prettier, and longer lasting bubbles, take a look at this website. They have really garnered up several recipes for you to try.

What has been your fail-safe when it comes to bubbles?

There are these little tiny microscopes I saw on Amazon and I thought they would be fantastic for kids! Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/niceEshop-Microscope-Magnifier-adjustable-Illuminator/dp/B00A3SU7NO/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1367813304&sr=8-11&keywords=mini+microscope

They are great to take outside and have the kids look at stuff through them. Grass, flower petals, bugs, the list goes on. It would be a great way to get kids exploring the world around them.

What are some things you would have your charges use these for?

I like the idea of looking at something through them both with and without light behind them. It would be like putting a flashlight up to your thumb...it looks completely different and you notice different things.

Grilled cheese. My favorite lunch ever...and this time I'm talking about for myself. Yum. :d

Here is what you need for one grilled cheese:

Two slices of bread (doesn't matter what kind.)
2 Kraft Cheese slices (can use other kinds of cheese, but this is a favorite)
1 Tbsp. Butter (or something similar)

Instructions:

Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
Have a plate ready on the side.
Throw 1/2 Tbsp butter into the skillet and let melt.
Place one piece of bread on the skillet. Let it heat for a few seconds.
Pull it off and place it buttery side up on a plate. Add the two slices of cheese.
Do the same thing with the other piece of bread and 1/2 tab of butter and put buttery side down on top of cheese. This starts the melting process.
Place the cheese sandwich back into the skillet and let it heat. When the cheese is halfway melted, flip.
When the cheese is coming out of the sides all liquid-y, that's when you know they are done!

In case you noticed, this is almost the exact same thing as my quesadilla recipe...hehehe ;)