“Hands-On” Parenting Saturday, Feb 19 2011

“Hands-On” Parenting_

Heather Ames Berkowitz

I love massages, I really do.  Whether it’s an intense, hour-long rubdown, or just a simple neck-rub – it’s the therapeutic touch that eases tension and alleviates stress. So I was especially intrigued to speak with Ms. Jade Lee, who is not only a masseuse – but a practitioner of Infant Massage. Maybe you’re thinking to yourself this just another silly Hollywood fad – I sure did. But it’s not! In fact, it is as far from a passing fad as can be: these techniques and methods are thousands of years old, having been used by Parents and Caregivers throughout history within a great many cultures.

Jade and I recently spoke about Infant Massage. She spoke of the strong bond it can create between the infant’s Parent or Caregiver – and I wanted our ModernMom readers to be aware of its rewarding – and reciprocal – benefits. As always, please check with your pediatrician before starting any sort of new process.

Much like adults, the simple yet familiar touch of massage both relaxes and stimulates children and infants, with the added benefit of cultivating an increased alertness and self-awareness as their bodies grow and personalities form. There are benefits for Moms too! By knowledgeably massaging the child, she expresses an intimacy that both nurtures their relationship as well as builds confidence in parenting abilities. And by relaxing the anxious and nervous child, you actually relax yourself – and who doesn’t need more of that!

Jade observes that, “Massage for wind, colic, and constipation will come in handy for any parent out there; infants of low birth-weight and those with respiratory and circulatory conditions, to name but a few, will all benefit from these techniques of Infant Massage.”

Jade offers both individual and group lessons, as well as group presentations, and welcomes your interest and questions. She says, “As a Nanny and Caregiver for the past seventeen years, I am one of those lucky people, because I love what I do, and I love teaching people what I know.”

For more information, please visit:

http://web.me.com/adrineantonian/jcleemassagetherapy.com/Infant_Massage.html

Written and Edited by Heather Ames Berkowitz and Rabbi Eric M. Berk

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Modern Mom Tuesday, Feb 8 2011

Check out Classic Nannies’s Expert Page!

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Heather’s Suggestions and Guidelines on How to be a Superstar Nanny! Friday, Feb 4 2011

How To Be a Superstar Nanny!

 

As a Classic Nanny, care and safety of the children is your primary responsibility.  From safety to stimulation, manners to mud pies, you are responsible for it all!  Your family is trusting you to be there for them and they are trusting that you are going to give your all during your working hours.  Following are additional suggestions that will enable you to be a Superstar Nanny: 

• Avoid last minute cancellations– The family is depending on you.  If you cancel, the parents must cancel and rearrange their plans.

 

• Limit personal time – This is your work and therefore your personal needs must be conducted during off work hours.  Scheduling appointments, running errands, etc is not to be included in your work day. 

 

• Arrive prepared for the day – Kids need to be active and get outdoors.  Kids get dirty.  Kids require lifting, pushing and similar physical activities.  Come dressed in clothes that are going to allow you to do your best with your family.  Wear comfortable shoes; bundle up for outdoor activities; wear white for mudpies only if you plan to use bleach!

 

• Plan for transition time at the end of the day – Parents need a few minutes to unwind, change clothes, etc.  Sometimes parents are at home while you are still on the clock.  Don’t dismiss your duties just because another adult is home.  Your role as the nanny continues regardless of whom else is home.

 

• Do not talk about inappropriate subjects with children – Be sensible about topics of conversations.  Use appropriate language at all times.  Don’t discuss parties, adult habits, tv shows, scary books, etc when the children are present.  Little ears have big memories.  Pre teen and teen ears have big memories and are very inquisitive.  Remember a family’s faith is a very personal thing and discussions should respectfully be directed to the parents.

 

• Be proactive. Use your resources.  Bring something new into the house for activities, expanding growth. — Parents are happy to have new activities introduced to their children, as long as they are appropriate.  Try new things and activities.  The internet is filled with resources.  Something new makes the day go faster and brings you closer to the children.  Celebrate new accomplishments, hang art work on the walls to admire, have a special surprise awaiting the parents to showcase what you and the children have done.  Don’t forget that children can join in on tasks as well – make sorting the socks from the laundry a game, set a timer to clean up the playroom, etc.  Play hard and work hard!

 

• Get involved in the games  – Watching, instead of participating  is a common complaint of parents and one easily remedied.  Don’t watch the kids play t-ball, get in there and swing as well.  Swing, slide, draw with chalk.  Talk to the children and ask them questions, ask them to describe their activities and you then describe yours.  Tell them about the time you kicked the winning goal when you were young. 
• Do not bring friends or meet friends on the family’s time. – Unless approved in advance, you are never to bring your friends or family into your nanny family’s home.  No exceptions.

 

• Limit cell phone use.  Cell phone conversations distract you from the children in your care and just a few moments of distraction can lead to disaster.  Have it with you for emergencies, not socialization.  Turn phone off when working and check for messages during children’s nap time.

 

• Be aware of food safety.   Know what is appropriate for children to eat at various ages and ask the family and research the internet.  Remember, safety is paramount.

 

• Give specific feedback or updates on the day.   Each day, be prepared to give 2-3 specific updates about the day.  Touch on the little things, too.  This is also an appropriate time to address bad behavior.

 

• Do the Dishes. Unwashed dishes are the number one complaint of families.  There is nothing worse than walking into your house and seeing a pile of dishes.  Help out and make the parents reentry into the home pleasurable. 

 

• Clean up as you go. Enlist the kids support.  Make a quick sweep through the major play areas and help put things back in a tidy manner.  Five minutes of work makes a positive impression.  While the children are napping is a great time to get something organized and help out.  Empty the trash cans, empty the diaper pails, put in a load of laundry and water the plants.  Even if the mess isn’t yours, your role with the family is to help out, however and whenever possible. 

 

• Take notes, reconfirm conversations, repeat back.  This goes for child care and house care; make sure that your family only needs to give directions once and, if you are not clear on the expectation that first time, you ask clarifying questions.

 

• Do more than the minimum… take initiative, make positive suggestions.  For example, if you take the child to violin lessons every Tuesday for one hour and you don’t need to stay, ask if there are errands you could run for the family during this time.  If there is regular down time, ask the parents what they would like you to do.  Often they say this is your time, many times they are so relieved you asked, are happy to give you a task or two and their opinion of you goes way, way up!  Communication is the key to a successful relationship!

 

What else can you do to be a Superstar Nanny?  What are the little things that are day brighteners for you?  Do that for someone else!

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Kids Valentine Cooking Class in Calabasas Thursday, Feb 3 2011

KIDS VALENTINE COOKING CLASS WHAT: Valentine Cooking Class for KIDS! We will be making: Heart Shaped Party Pizza Love-Potion Punch Chocolate Covered Strawberries WHERE: Little Blue 4774 Park Granada  Calabasas, CA 91302 WHEN: Saturday, February 12th, 11:30am-1pm HOW MUCH: $65 per child OR buy 1 child, get the 2nd one 1/2 off! SIGN-UP: Space is limited, sign-up today! e-mail, call or come visit the store. littlebluegourmet@yahoo.com (818) 225-8078 Little Blue is located across from the Commons in the Post Office Center on Park Granada. BIRTHDAY PARTIES: Host your next Kids Cooking Birthday Party at Little Blue! Includes, entree, drink, dessert with hands-on cooking instruction and a choice of party favor!  Call for more info.

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Meet Lisa Levine-Personal Chef and Founder of Chow for Now Wednesday, Feb 2 2011

“It was so great to meet with Heather Berkowitz, the co-founder of Classic Nannies today.   The timing couldn’t be better, considering my current quest to market my personal chef business, Chow for Now, to families.  Even better, I love the idea of working with another woman-owned business. “

I know how difficult it can be to juggle work, exercise, family and life.  And many times, nutrition is the first thing to be pushed aside.  I understand how much easier it is to go out to eat or to order take out because the idea of grocery shopping and cooking is daunting after a long day.  Plus, there are so many conflicting news items about what foods are “good” for you and which ones are not.  They even just updated the food pyramid!  It can be confusing and exhausting.  I can take away some of the stress by giving you your TIME back. 

Chow for Now personal chef service includes menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and packaging your dinners for a week during one scheduled cook day. I cook in your home, allowing the distinct scents of home-cooked meals to drift through your kitchen (think lemon roasted chicken or butternut squash lasagna) and I leave simple instructions making  it easy for you to heat up your food each night at your leisure.

In addition to weekly personal chef services, I offer daily “eat in” service, small party catering, gift certificates (for new parents, perhaps?), “adults night in” cooking classes, romantic dinners for two (we know it’s hard to get a babysitter sometimes) and cooking for your child’s birthday parties!  Think about how awesome it will be to have one less thing to worry about when your beloved Jack or Jane is turning 5 and you have 25 adults and their kids coming over!

The point of hiring a personal chef is to free up your time to be with your family.  How much is your time worth?  It all starts with a free consultation where we go over your family’s likes, dislikes, allergies, intolerances and general food preferences.  Then we pick a cook date and go from there! 

I am looking forward to working with Heather—and you—in the future!

 Lisa Levine

http://www.chowfornowchef.com/

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How does a busy mom like Jen Schefft keep it together? See the 5 Mommy Must Haves! Tuesday, Feb 1 2011

Enfamil Premium Newborn Formula, Which Provides 400 IU Of Vitamin D In 27 Fl Oz To Help Build Bones, Support The Immune System And Maintain Healthy Blood Levels.

v  Most Newborns Enjoy Some Down Time In Her Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle-N-Swing, Which Plays Music, Moves In A Variety Of Motions, And Has A Built-In Mobile.

A Baby May Be Less Than A Year Old , But That Doesn’t Mean Mae Is Too Young To Hit The Gym — The

Baby Einstein Play Gym, That Is. The Mat And Canopy Features Toys And Music To Keep The Tot Entertained.

“The Boppy Cradle Doesn’t Just Hold Baby, It Grows With Her, Too. The Reclined Seat Is Perfect For Newborns, Then, As She Grows, The Chair Is Moved Into The Inclined Bouncing Position.” Says Former Bachelorette Star Jen Sheft On Her Newborn Mae.

v  –New Mommies Can Keep Their Baby  Looking Cute As Can Be In Outfits By Carters, Kissy Kissy And Angel Dear.

To Stay Organized And Stylish, Schefft Depends On The Baby Kaed Diaper Bags. (They Even Make Bags For Dads, Too!)

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