Please feel free to email us your Bonus/ Other Gifts this year from your NF, or TO your Nanny, or from the Nanny to the NF
- all submissions are anonymous
K.S. 9 years and nothing
K.L. 1 1/2 year and nothing
JSY 2 years, $3000 Bonus and $500 for Christmas
SF 1 weeks pay
SG expecting 1-3 weeks pay at my current job, at my job before this - nothing
MJR Previous 4 year NF $600, 2 weeks off with pay. Been with new NF for 3 weeks and got homemade baklava - it was very good lol
AC 3 years, 1 week of pay plus a small gift, and my NKs draw me pictures. My former job I was there 9 years and they would give me $200 each year - btw they made 4 times the money my present
NF makes.
DG 10 years, 1 and 1/2 month of pay plus several other special, thoughtful gifts
TRS 8 years, a few hundred $ for Christmas and another larger bonus at the end of the school year
Little crayon pieces are officially valuable! They can be used to create larger crayon themes. This post shows multi colored Christmas tree crayons but - the sky is the limit - you can make only one color,two colors etc. These can be just fun for your littles or Holiday gifts for friends. Melting crayons gets stinky, so be ready to open a window lol.
You will need - Crayon pieces, an old knife, silicone, holiday molds, baking sheet
heat the oven to 250, remove all the paper on the crayons, cut up the crayons with the old knife, fill the silicone molds with the crayon pieces, place the silicon molds on the baking sheet, bake 10-20 minutes, but watch everything very carefully because the crayons are different depending on color and different kinds etc, watch carefully to see when the wax melts and then remove and cool in the fridge - then pop out the crayon molds!! from Heather Sawyers Marinkovic, pics and activity!
I have just about had it with you! Today I was 5 minutes late, which I never am, because of a major traffic accident on the freeway and you gave me heck! While YOU are 30 min to an hour late almost every day! You do not even care when I have important time appointments - like a meeting with my doctor and my mother's birthday dinner as she is sick and may not be around much longer! When I discuss this with you, you either ignore me, change the subject, or give me a blank look like I am not even a human. I am about ready to smack that blank wide eyed stare off your face! The one saving grace is how cute and good hearted my charge NG,4 is. It's probably a lie she is related to you -- uggghh!!! I am not going to take this much longer!
I write on the certificate good things - like- eat veggies! Give hugs! Pick up dirty socks from under the bed! And - BTW, if you own a business, or some other agenda where you want to get your name out there - tactfully include your info on the certificate.
At a Holiday event recently a small group of nannies were hired for extra fun activity duty at a Holiday party for a group of kids who had some well known parents in the South Texas area. The kids were, as usual, super polite and well behaved, really great kids. On the way out the nannies had the fun of admiring an unusual celebrity - a TRUCK. This truck has been owned by famous people and is famous itself being worth a small fortune and as big as a tank - called an "Unlock". It was 1st owned by Arnold Swarzennegar. The guy nannies - "mannies" knew
all about it, the female nannies learned something new! You never know who or what you will meet as a nanny!
The nanny had a baby in a stroller and an older child walking, the older child tripped and fell and was crying, the nanny picked him up roughly by the arm and said," If you cry, no TV for you". I did not confront them but stepped back and took an anonymous picture.They were walking on President Street close to Carroll Park. I would want to know if my nanny was not comforting to my child.
My boss and I are talking raise, right now I work 4 days a week, 7-3 or 4pm. I get paid 415 per hour and I have been with them about 1 and 1/2 y. My daily chores are when the babies are asleep - kids laundry, prep kids meals, pull kids bathroom stuff, wash and put away dishes,keep diaper/wipes stocked, playroom clean ( not easy) taking kids to classes ( 2 times a week). I was thinking of asking for 17.50 per hour. At this time I am making $600 per week.
Took my charge to the park today, we sang the whole way. Got to the park for a sunny fun day. All the nannies were out,mostly grouped ina couple corners on the playground. Two infants, app 5 mo. sat unattended in the swings. another child, app 1 and 1/2 y climbed to the top of the play structure while me and my charge were playing at the bottom. I lookked around for who was in charge of this little one? There is a huge drop off on one side and he was thinking about it. He hovered above the slide,smiled and stood there with his arms above his head. Finally a nanny peeled herself away from a nanny huddle nearby, he was right there above her but she did not know where he was. " DASH! DAH! DASH!" she kept calling. This was a small park enclosed with a chain link fence. I spoke up and said, " are you looking for this little one?" ( pointing to the top of the slide) She said " He is so fast!" Actually he had been up there for 10 minutes with no nanny in sight.
I had taken a picture of my charge to send to his mom, my MB. From the other side of the play structure I heard a loud voice " ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES OF ME??" I looked around, it was the same woman who lost her charge moments before. "No, I said, why would I take pictures of you?" She became angrier and louder " Well, people take pictures of nannies" she said.
I said " Would you like to look at my phone?" No answer. i asked a little louder and a mouse said no. I was angry at this point,fuming. She had not introduced herself, yelled a loud false accusation to me in public, she was acting as if her actions were normal and right. I tried again to reason with her - " I am a nanny and I do not want a picture of you"
She then yelled she was going to call the police on me and that I was a B**tch loud for all the kids in the park and my charge to hear.
Poor little DASH - if you are doing your job for him, you do not have to worry about pictures!!!
Our young friend, nanny, regular reader has made a deal with the MB to watch the kids Friday thru Sunday for $300. No not 300 per day, 300 for the entire weekend, she wants to know if she sold herself too low.
I work nights for a great family. I have little complaints besides the fact that when the mom gets home from work she wants to chat for at least a half hour before she pays me. Even if I walk toward the door she does not seem to get the hint. She is a very friendly lady that I get along great with but I am usually very tired after work and the last thing I want to do is chit chat after work. I know it's probably my fault for being a pushover and keeping the conversations going but I don't want to be rude. Any advice?
I am soooo glad I got out of there and am with a great NF now.
It was on a sat night and she asked me at 11 pm not to go to church and go to her house at 7am so I could leave at 2pm instead of 7pm to have time to study for my exam at 8am on Monday. I said ok because I needed time to study. I get there at 7am and she informs me they are going to an amusement park but promised to be back by 2pm. Yeah, right. I called them several times after 2pm to no avail. I was making NK dinner and hear from them at 5:30, she begged me to stay 2 more hours. Promised shewould leave right then. I was not going to leave the 8 mo old alone so I really had no choice as a moral human. My mom brought my books over at 7pm and i started studying.
It's 9:15 she calls me and says I have my friends coming over can you please clean the house and clear the guest bedroom, change the sheets and make it nice because I am not paying for them to stay in a hotel. They were HOARDERS and you could not even walk into the guest bedroom. I had to clear all of it and put it in the garage. I was finished by 12:45, NK was asleep and they were still not home. I tried to study but was exhausted. At 2:30am I laid down next to NK crib and fell asleep. At 3:30am I was woken up by MB YELLING at me that I was sleeping. I told her that I had been working all day, moving furniture, scrubbing the guest bathroom, have to be awake in 3 hours and still have 30 minutes drive to home.
I asked for my payment ( which I never do, but was planning on quitting) and she refused and said she only payed on Fridays ( I never got paid on Fridays ). I told her that I needed to pay bills and could she make an exception. She agreed after DB said just pay her she has been here all day, give her extra she made the house look amazing. MB tried to give me $75 less than she owed me for 'sleeping'. DB apologized, gave me $100 extra and begged me not to quit. MB did not cook or clean so without me they never got a cooked meal. I stuck it out 2 more weeks but even though I felt sorry for DB and NK, MB continued to be unreasonable. They have been thru 9 nannies in 2 years, I have a very good NF now.
I have seen something disturbing at the local coffee shop off I-287 near rt 24 in New Jersey. I saw an elderly woman being ignored by those she was depending on for care. She had a man and 2 women wearing scrubs with her but none of them were talking to her, she looked so alone and bored. They had earbuds, one was smoking, one of them talking on a phone while feeding the lady in an absent minded way. Both women seemed annoyed when they had to interrupt their activities to pay attention to her, she looked so sad.
Nannies help each other all the time with contract suggestions, but here are a bunch of them all together - NMs should pay attention also,these are only fair for the nanny.
This is an amazing website: www.bravemissworld.com. It’s the #1 website on google search worldwide for survivors of rape and assault to post their stories and seek resources. Many survivors of all ages write in to share what happened to them and how they felt, and seek advice and support. The moderators of the Brave Miss World website are very protective and loving of their charges, female and male. Each post is carefully screened to make sure that the site remains safe, and the supportive comments let survivors know they are not at fault, not to blame, and they did nothing wrong. This support is very important to those who have been hurt and attacked. The website is based on the Emmy nominated film “Brave Miss World,” currently streaming on Netflix. The documentary is one survivor's story of turning tragedy into triumph, and also features survivors of every kind of rape, from domestic rape to campus rape to childhood sexual assault. Every survivor should see the film and turn to this site if they need a place to share their story, maybe even for the first time. Survivors can share anonymously or post their first names if they wish. Linor’s story is so powerful — our readers will be amazed!
Sept 3 @ 11am, Walmart in New Iberia LA. my NK and I encountered what other nannies in the area have been writing about. Thankfully NK was in the basket because she likes to run around and linger behind. Gladly, NM was along also. NK and I were looking at Pjs paying no mind to our surroundings.NM noticed a man staring at girl NK everywhere we went in the store he would follow. NM carefully watched from a distance to just be sure what was happening. He would pick up clothes looking like shopping but never taking his eyes off NK. He called another guy on his cell phone. They made eye contact and nodded to one another all the while making sure to stay around us. From my vantage i could not see this happening. We walked a few isles over and the other guy followed. As NM told us what was happening and showed us a pic, he followed us down another isle. This continued and it was ovious of the extreme possibility they wanted to kidnap a pretty NK. This has been shared, multiple people have seen him at multiple stores, not alone BE CAREFUL!
I need some suggestions regarding my roommate situation. I own a home and got a roommate last fall to help out with my two dogs while I traveled 50% of the time for my nanny job. In exchange for pet care she got about 30% reduction in her rent. This was all working out well until I suffered a ligament tear in my knee 4 1/2 mo into the job. Being discreet, I decided not to go back to this job and resigned during my recovery period. One of my dogs also died during this time.
So as of now, my roommate has only infrequent care of my very low maintenance dog about 2-3 days per month, compared with 2 dogs prior. Rents are skyrocketing here and I really need to raise her rent, which will be hard for her as she does not have a ton of income, the reason this was win/win in the beginning.
I would love to hear ideas on ways to trade some additional help/labor for her rent reduction. Housekeeping is not an option. Market value now for rent on my home would be $1800 per month plus utilities. She has 2 small bedrooms,half the kitchen,space in the basement, half the garage,shared kitchen and living room for eating/hanging out and a private full bath. So I feel another rommate would easily pay 1000 mo. including utilities, she is paying 700 per month.
(I really need the income more now too as I took a cut in pay with my new job since it involves fewer hours and no travel. She is trustworthy and an honest person, always pays her rent on time, so I really would like her to stay! Any ideas of finding ways for her to work off some of her rent would be appreciated, TU
I have not vented anywhere about my nanny job in quite a while but I am at wit's end. I have a wonderful family I work for steadily on Fridays and have provided occasional back up days when the grandparents aren't able to do their regular ones. They recently moved into a different house and they have NOT HAD HOT WATER in nearly four weeks since the move. Apparently the hot water heater in shot. How does a family with a little guy ( 11 mo) and demanding jobs with 100 degree heat not need to have hot water? I have made a comment here and there ( non judgmental ) to MB with little or no response . Would you say something? Family does not live very close by to go for showers
I am painting faces at my daughter's Back To School Night. I see a boy yelling at and hitting his Nanny ( no he is not on the spectrum, I asked), Nanny is trying to discipline him but he is verbally and physically attacking her. And now he is lying on the ground with his shoes off and refusing to get up.
Mr. Corey has had enough.
Me: hey GET UP!
Kid I need to put my shoes on
Me: I. Said. Get. Up. ( and yes you can hear the periods between each word)
Kid gets up with an expression of awe on his face. His Nanny has the same look too.
Me: I do not tolerate bad behavior at my table. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE BEING DISRESPECTFUL TO YOUR CAREGIVER Now, do you want to be painted this evening?
Kid:Yes
Me: Mr. Corey
Kid:Yes, Mr. Corey
Me: Then you will stop hitting your Nanny, stop talking back and BEHAVE yourself - are we clear?
Kid:Yes Mr. Corey
I was in a conversation with my MB yesterday. We were talking about the annual MACKINAC Island trip that they take every year. Usually because it involves other couples-they usually bring along grandma and grandpa to stay in the hotel room with the kids in the hotel room. They can't go this year so I hinted the idea of going with them. I will have some time to myself but- there will be times when I am needed to work also, (dinner & party). How do I ask about pay?. This is my first time going on vacay with NF. I am excited. TU!
Curtis Sliwa is the founder of the Guardian Angels Citizens Safety Patrol. He has been leading and counseling and rescuing children physically and young people and others since the 70's . This speaker not only inspires kids and young people but he requires their blood sweat and tears and they give it.
Two ISYN blog admins - SS and Leigh participated in Curtis' program in the 80's and witnessed the rescue of numerous kids and young people who were being robbed and attacked in dangerous situations. The feeling while giving a youngster BACK their money and property while handing the bad guy over to the police - it does not get any better than that if you love kids and young people.
Curtis has overcome naysayers,been accused of crazy conspiracies , survived attempts upon his life,without breaking stride in showing the young and the compassionate how to meet goals.He is now a successful radio talk show host for years.
One thing you can guarantee - if a bad guy is going to try to harm you, Curtis and his Angel youngsters will not stand by, they will jump in and save you no matter the cost.As we learn with inspirational families, their family business is always activism for the vulnerable.
As a role model specifically, Curtis is not your perfect Choir Boy but I do not think he wishes that thought. Google Curtis to learn about his creative journey in helping his fellow man. He is a good husband and father, his wife Nancy is an animal activist who helps animals and cats and more and his son Anthony is brilliant with computers and will running the show soon!
WEED Whacking! - (weeds are negative people and situations ) Curtis does not tolerate a weed- He wacks the weeds ! Follow the links and you will see - he does it every day verbally, he does not care about politics,gender,money,power, if he sees wrong, he says so, and if he sees wrong done in his presence, he will get physical, he will take the bad guy down, he has a black belt, and will use it to help any victim anywhere.
As written, SS and Leigh, 2 blog admins, participated in one of Curtis Texas Guardian Angel programs in the 80's and we witnessed his leadership of young people 1st hand. He would literally get no sleep. We little teens would call him from Texas to new York at 3am Texas time just to ask for little teen advice and he would counsel the little teens. In retrospect it's embarrassing but one night we called to bug Curtis and we were talking to him and then figured out it was not him it was his father Chester, who taught him everything and had the exact same voice. We said, "Mr. Sliwa is Curtis there?" Curtis' dad said " Yes my son is here but I am making him sleep, he is exhausted, but I am here, tell me anything you need." So we bugged Mr. Sliwa. That is where Curtis gets his patience.
HIDDEN TALENT: In the Texas Guardian Angel Chapter there was a young man named Audi, who had extreme shyness, maybe autism which was hard to diagnose in the 80's. When he 1st joined he would only look at the ground, and would not talk, he would stand still in one spot. Leaders such as Larry Jordan, SS, and Mike Porterfield painstakingly encouraged this young man to look people in the eye, talk to people, run here and there to help people, smile at them. Within six weeks he was a different young man or more accurately the Angel leaders followed Curtis Sliwa's example and extracted Audi's talents. The writer will never forget when he hugged and smiled at me.
Below is the Houston Guardian Angel Chapter in the 80's, Mike Porterfield is still leading and helping people in this position, SS and Leigh are here in this line - we are THE shortest people in the line.
Hi! I saw this nanny with a young boy, he may have been just shy of 1 year old, it's hard to tell how old they are when they are that small. Blonde hair, blue eyes, he was getting fussy and the nanny picked him up under his arms and was holding him up in the air shouting in his face "don't CRY". She would shout the word cry which would only upset the child more. She repeatedly did this over and over again as she laughed with the other nanny next to her (with another child) until they saw me staring at them and then she got up to leave. This is the best photo I could get as she walked away with the poor screaming boy who she never tried to console. If I was the parent of this child I would want to know if the nanny was screaming at him purposely making him cry to get a laugh
I know in the end it is my decision but I feel I am at a crossroads here. I have accepted a new job at the end of July. It does not start until the middle of September . I am having second thoughts. The hours are good and it is only 4 days. Parents are laid back and the kids sweet. Now the part I struggle with, It is $2 less than what I should make. No PTO or sick days, 1 week vacation. I have been asked not to take any days off jan-march. Mom will work from home 2 days a week, dad one. It's a Super Tiny Home so I feel I will have to keep it quiet. My job ended in May so I wonder if I jumped the gun on taking it.
One last thing when I got her to go up 75 c I said " sorry still too low" they said - maybe in a year when we can give you a 25 cebnt raise. I still said no. then the call saying I am worth the 25 cent. If they are struggling this bad, How will I get a raise in the future.
Do I take it and hope for a better job in the future ( the contract says we end it whenever we want) not signed yet.
Jobs are hard to find! Need advice!
Today DB informs me that when 3y twins start preschool in September , they won't be taking naps since they will be getting up early (6:45a) and although put to bed by 8pm often do not get to sleep until 10pm. I work 6:45-5p M-F ( used to be 4/10 hr days - now 5) with a 10 mo infant added when the hours increased. I would drop them off at 8:30a bring baby home to nap and eat lunch and pick up twins by 1pm.
Then am expected to not let them nap " because the days are getting shorter anyways.." the days are getting longer for me ! Nice they leave at 7a and come home for dinner and a bath. MB is always saying how she misses them but just stepped back to her administrator position she has not been in since having the twins- more hours and responsibility than the 2 year position she had!
I am in a tough situation. Actually the mom I work for...twins 19 mo old boy and girl. Mom feels like she is at a constant battle with A. Every time mom sits and plays with his sister M he gets very demanding for her attention . A is a sensitive child and mom is afraid his feelings will be hurt, he does not speak a whole lot but turns to hurting his mom or sister when he does not get his way.
I do not allow this, I use TIME OUTS and RE-direction. Mom has admitted I have more patience than she does. The kids and I have a schedule we follow for the most part. Mom has told me A is so much more trouble than M,Mis very laid back. What can I say/do to help both A and Mom,as I am going on VAYCAY, she will alone with her kids !
Michael Berry is an international inspirational speaker, child activist, very popular radio talk show host,lawyer,politician,1/4 of a Power Family - Wife Nandy Berry and two sons Michael T and Crockett. He is a humanitarian and his major passion is helping U.S. veterans.
Michael Berry has a specific PHILOSOPHY regarding the inspiration of children and others. He wrote about this exclusively for the nannies and moms of the I Saw Your Nanny Blog.
" Words are the beautiful representation of their underlying foundation - actions. Things that inspire me are beauty,love,kindness,compassion,sacrifice,selflessness,and forgiveness. I find that we inspire others when we least intend to. It is by our demeanor. Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans - John Lennon wrote that.
Inspiration is what you give when you are busy going through the routines of your day. "
Michael Berry exclusive to I Saw Your Nanny Blog July 3 2018
SPECIAL NOTE : One of the tenets of the Inspirational Speakers in this series is the value of the INDIVIDUAL child/person as much as the 10,000 or 4 million. Mr. Berry emailed that quote to the blog 1 minute after being asked- while he was still ON the air speaking to millions of people all over the country and beyond. The man can multi-task, that's how it's done!
ROLE MODEL FUN - Michael Berry is a firm believer in family power, he has been married to his college sweetheart Nandita Berry for many years. He always makes himself available to his fans, and he donates time and money to many causes. he is fanatical about the value of community - which in his case grows larger by the day.
PERSONAL STORY: Our child consulting firm worked with Mr. and Mrs. Berry and his kids years ago at his house and we were all looking for his oldest son Michael for a project in the back yard. The staff shouts " MICHAEL!!" The mother asks, " Michael?!!!" The father yells, " MICHAEL!!!" No Michael.
The youngest son, Crockett his little brother whispers in a tiny voice "michael" BOOM!! Here comes Michael running at a sprint to see what his brother needs. FAMILIES are the most important weapon for fighting for right and inspiring children and all others.This truth must be carefully taught.
WEED WHACKING ( weeds are negative people and situations) Michael Berry does not tolerate weeds. If he sees that someone is hurting others,acting wrong, no matter their gender or power level - he takes them on with ruthless articulate verbal mental responses no matter the consequences. This worries his fans but he does not care. I am not sure if Mr. Berry has utilized fisticuffs to protect the vulnerable, but if were a bad guy I would not want to find out, because he is pretty tough . He will passionately defend people and situations - I have seen this regarding children- that the rest of the media is scared of, which gets him into trouble but - he does not care.
HIDDEN TALENTS: Michael Berry is an expert at this, just about every day on his radio show and elsewhere,he cannot stop asking his callers, kids at heart, about their TALENTS - what do they do for a living,their professional opinion, what are their hobbies.He did this with my child consultant firm and also one of my friends. I called him on his show to vent about politics and he let me briefly and then asked " What do you do?'" I told him about my work with kids and he booked me for his kids event right there on the air. Mr. Berry does this all the time no matter the callers profession, When you are working with kids and others - if you can find their hidden talent - and use it- the world will be better!
I am annoyed. I am the prime candidate for a nanny position right here in the town where I live. But - the job is being fulfilled thru an agency located 3 hours away from me. They are insisting on an in person interview before hiring me for the position 15 minutes away from me - is this reasonable? It's a six hour drive !
I do not know if I should let this slide or not, but back in May my nanny's daughter flew in to visit and 3 times we have loaned them the money for the ticket, they pay us back within 2 weeks. When the daughter asked to borrow money for a return ticket I gently asked her when we might be payed back for the 1st ticket. She was shocked and said she had paid her mom months ago. After a few days the mom payed us back saying she had forgotten. The Nanny does not always do well with money, but is wonderful and good with my 2 year old son. Should I let this slide? If she would be this way about money there may be other ways to be untrustworthy, but - She is so great with my 2 year old daughter.
Glenn Morshower is an international inspirational speaker. activist and humanitarian. He teaches THE EXTRA MILE as a life philosophy. Many people know him for his lengthy acting accomplishments over a 40 year period such as Aaron Pierce on 24, Supergirl, Transformers,etc.
PHILOSOPHY: The Power Of One- one of Glenn's most passionate tenets is that teaching one child is as important as teaching 10 or 4 million. He makes the point that each person is supposed to be here and the proof is that at conception each one of us beat out 500 million (!) other contestants to be here. So you are here for a reason, there is something you want, a reason YOU swam so fast, something is your goal, and you must not let even ONE day go by without doing at least one thing to achieve your purpose and win your goal. No matter what it is - helping kids, acting, being a doctor or lawyer. Learn to speak something called " Fluent Them-ness" When you speak this to children and others - showing they are loved and understood and valued - you will create in them the reality of being the best they can be for themselves, you and others.
ROLE MODELS : Glenn has been married to his high school sweetheart Carolyn Morshower for going on 40 years, they have 2 children and all the family teaches others in many ways. The Morshowers produced a film named FLUTTER that teaches about children overcoming poverty and illness and much more. A personal note - in the 80's my TEAM BUILDING company hired Glenn to team build with kids in parks and in each case his wife and kids came too and helped the kids learn - when a family works together to help people there is no limit.
WEEDS- ( Dealing with negative people and situations) Glenn does not cater to the weeds - he WHACKS them. He will not tolerate someone doing wrong to kids and others, he confronts them verbally and mentally and spiritually, he makes sure the victims see it so they can learn, and the poor weed never knows what hits until it's over and Glenn and the good people march on by. Do not coddle a weed, do not run away from the weed and DO NOT apologize to the weed, WHACK the weed and move on! " WEED _ You are old, I am new - GOODBYE!"
FINDING THE HIDDEN TALENT - Glenn Morshower teaches in his classes the importance of finding the hidden talents of our charges. he scrutinizes like a laser beam to ascertain what his targets are good at and then he magnifies it and uses it. If you tell him you are a bad cook but you make a great Hungarian Goulash he will show up at your door with his wife and kids and a bag of groceries and demand the soup, you will have no choice and he'll probably eat 3 bowls.
Personal Story: In the 80's I worked with Glenn at a restaurant. He made the management unlock the COMMENT card box so he could just see what was happening.He comes up to me and says " Leigh, right? You know the comment box had 20 cards in it and 1 out of 3 are about you how your clients really enjoy your work! I am coming in with my family tomorrow to eat here, so reserve me a table for 4 in your section at 8pm!" So learning from this - when you find your charges hidden talent - use it !
Anna M. Minter is a national inspirational speaker,enthusiastic child activist,entertainer and puppeteer, founder of GRACIOUS ME ACADEMY, published author. She is the proud mother of four children and five grandchildren.
With all our speakers in the series ( Anna Minter, Glenn Morshower, Michael Berry,Curtis Sliwa, Lisa Evers Rachel and Tommy Burchfield,Joel Osteen, and Mike Warnke) we will be looking at 1.an overview of their accomplishments for children and others. 2. their personal philosophy 3. their effectiveness as a role model 4. the way they deal with WEEDS ( negative people/situations) 5. eye witness presentations of their success, 6. FINDING THE KID'S HIDDEN TALENTS and finally 7. Links to learn more about them.
Philosophy of ANNA MINTER in her own words for this article --
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is - What are you doing for others? " MLK JR.
Imagination: " I AM..." How you finish that sentence is the seed that sprouts within your belief system. "I am a star student" was my sentence as a little girl. I loved school! ( Well, except for the second day of kindergarten, where I bolted out of my classroom hoping to find my way home, but that is another story!) I excelled at learning. My siblings and cousins thought I was crazy, always wanting to be at school or playing teacher. That is, until I entered the 4th grade.
With 39 other 4th graders in my catholic school, I met our overwhelmed, already-burnt-out teacher Sister Katie. Suffering at the hands of this "caped crusader" ( apologies to Batman) I learned to DISLIKE school!. The following summer we found out she was moving up to the fifth grade with us and would be my teacher once again. Oh, the dread! I endured another year of not only emotional but physical abuse at the hands of this nun. School lost it's wonderful appeal for me.
Fast forward to my sixth grade teacher, Mrs Chaki, an angel sent from heaven. She opened doors of imagination by inspiring once again my love of learning. In her class I made my 1st diorama for a book report. These dioramas were little 3-D shoe boxes that represented each of the stories the class had read. Each one was so different. She also instructed us early on that we would have a science project that would encompass the entire year. We would become an expert in our field of study. "Any subject?" we all asked. "Yes, just add 'ology' and come prepared with a project and ready to answer any questions" was her response. Because of Mrs. Chaki, I was an "eye doctor" for my science project.
It was an election year, and for Civics we were to gather information on our favorite candidate and be prepared to debate the issues. For History we re-enacted a famous speech. I dressed as Patrick Henry - " Give me liberty or give me death!"
This is the teacher who inspired my passion to teach by flaming the fire of my imagination. I was a civic-minded activist when I debated for my candidate. With the diorama, i was the book, working like a miniature movie set. Yes, i was Patrick Henry! What am I now? I AM an educator. Words have power. Imagination combined with words is essential, and ACTION must become inevitable.
IMAGINATION AND GENIUS DNA!!
Remember when we feel unqualified, we ALL have genius in our DNA. No barriers allowed! Excuse me! I AM a genius! As a child you were excited, what areas or strengths do you possess that people call on you for help? What hidden talents do you have that others "see" about you - there is your power! With children and all others we need to listen to their solutions, and talk to them with respect. My most effective conversation with children will include a dialogue to figure out how to resolve problems. EMPOWER them and the solutions will be found and behavior will change.
As an example, it was my second year of teaching, and a argument ensued in the play area with sides taken and one side did seem to have an element of bullying. How to avoid tension and bad feelings? We had a court session with the defendant, plaintiff, grandpas being the judges complete with top hat and black cape. The kids called their witnesses and everyone learned the others view with higs given at the end. i was glad I did not give in to lecturing or punishment - and 20 years later the parents and kids remember the lessons learned ! The End of Anna's text.
As a role model , Anna Minters family - Husband Bob and children are all teachers and child activists, they have been married since the 70's as high school sweethearts.
WEEDS - are negative people and situations and Anna is unique in this group - she will hug a weed, counsel the weed. No matter how long it takes to teach the weed - do it. Show love to the weed, set up a court and help the weed learn it is a weed and how not to be one. Readers - be aware all our other Inspirational speakers will not be this nice to the weed.
FINDING THE HIDDEN TALENT - I can personally say that Anna showed me how to develop talent with puppets to help kids learn, she taught me how to make them, create dialogue and overcome fear and shyness. To Anna - one child or person is just as important as thousands!
PERSONAL WITNESS OF THE MINTER FAMILY AS TEACHERS: Teaching is a family mission for the Minters, I and some other kids were having dinner at Anna's house She and her husband Bob Minter have rule at the dinner table - before you get the food you have to verbally present your accomplishments for the day. When this was demanded of me I froze - "uh, uh..." so their son BOBBY jumped in presented his goals for the day - What have you learned? How have you helped people? So Bobby looks over at me like - you can do it! So I copied him and his dad was satisfied,at one time I was looking down at the table and Bob said - " Look at us all when speaking!" The meal was great. The study of Inspirational Speaking shows that the results grow exponentially when a family does it together!
I was in a line waiting for my charge, a 7 year old to get face painted like a girl HERO by a hero guy painter named Corey, excuse me I mean Mr. Corey. I had a ringside seat for an encounter with him and a parent and child ahead of me and my charge.
Parent: Honey, tell Corey you want Spiderman!
Child: Corey, I want Spiderman!
Corey: Just a minute, son, do we work together?
Child: No
Corey: Are you over 21 years old?
Child: No
Corey: Do I owe you money?
Child : No
Corey: Then I am Mr. Corey
Child: I want Spiderman Mr. Corey
Corey...........................
Child: Please may I please have Spiderman Mr. Corey?
Corey Morgan gave an interesting lesson about how in the past many members of society did not get the respect they deserved - for example African Americans - people were able to call them "boy and girl" etc - an inexcusable part of the past. Corey Morgan's child entertainment co is located in the Maryland area.
PS: I am glad i was forearmed - Of COURSE my charge says please and thank you but she learned a good lesson and certainly called him Mr. Cory, but my charge is a very brilliant kid!
I am a nanny to a 5 year old little girl ( my love), I am having issues with the neighbors and their children. The neighbors seem to not watch or care about their kids. Of course I watch every movement of my girl, they are all about 5. Every time I take my charge outside the 2 neighbors run over to play with her. So - then am I responsible for them? There is a road! And they run towards it! Of course my girl does not as I watch her every move and she is my joy! At the neighbor's house they have a pool, but who would be watching every kid in the pool - yes you guessed it me!! So I do not let her go there. It goes further ! When ever we let these kids come over they play rough with her toys and make her cry. Her parents want her to get to know the neighbors but they are not here very much, they are in big positions. I know I am doing my best for my little love, but any advice would help me - Thank you in advance !!!
What would you do?
I'm a nanny and I've been working as a child care provider for 12 plus years. Recently I was offered a position as a nanny and began working a few days here and there to help out. I was asked if $20 per hour was alright and I said yes because that is my rate for 1 child. After I put in my notice at the preschool I was working at they gave me my nanny agreement and it said $600 p/week which was not discussed prior! I was making $20 per hour and working a 40 hour week which equals $800. I've addressed this with the family as bait and switch because that's how I feel! They are not making it right, but they want to do a nanny share now which means I would be taking care of 2 children. I asked for $900 and was only offered 861. They also started buying Tiles (trackers ) and have purchased multiple cameras since I've started, making me feel bad! What should I do at this point?
I am a career nanny and have found myself in a situation never before experienced and I am a bit confused and stressed about how to handle it. My NF is great and I watch and I watch a 4 and 9 year old. I work 40 hours a week and I have been with them a year and a half ( all other families I have worked for for over 2 years). The youngest starts kindergarten in the fall which will cut my hours dramatically. We have discussed filling the childless hours with organization,errands,housework, I am completely fine with that.
My question is I have been asked to stay exclusively with this family and not seek out any additional work in case they need or want me. On call so-to-speak. I knew this was coming but I don't know how I can go backwards financially, I have not received a raise in 1.5 years. I do much housework now as it stands, it would just be more efficient since the children would be at school full time. I am also a nanny who walks 5-6 miles a day and is extremely active with the kids, never sitting down, never on the phone, I live in NYC
I am trying to decide if i want to change jobs. The one I have now is being a nanny for an infant. The one I am thinking about is very little nannying, it is being the House Manager. But after the second interview and meeting them at their house, I am thinking they want a house keeper. MB wants things kept clean and organized, but when I was there it was a total wreck. They are both lawyers and work long hours with 2 boys, 7 and 3 and the wife is trying to get pregnant again. So my question is - is this what house managers do? I can see me coming in on a daily basis and see all my work undone. Especially on Monday. She also wants me to drive her and the kids around. Is this a job you would want? It's only for 6 months which is fine with me.
I babysit for 2 siblings. One is 15 months old and has been with me since 9 months. Mom had another baby and he is now almost 4 months old. Truth is there is no connection between the 4 month old and me. I don't know what to do. Idon't want to quit since I love the 15 month old. I just can't seem to connect with the younger one. He doesn't do anything but there is something about him, I just can't.
In May, I was sitting in the AIDS MEMORIAL PARK with my friend, we saw 3 cute kids, 2 boys and 1 girl who all looked to be the same age,I believe they were 5, but could have been 4-7. They all had light brown hair/dark blond, possibly triplets? They were running around wild and trying to play with a woman's Pomeranian Dog. They were cute kids, energetic and wild. they were playing tag together before they saw the dog. I think the nanny called one of these kids GEORGE but I am not sure,
When they were playing with the woman's dog, a creepy older man tried to talk to her and the kids. The woman ignored the man but eventually became overwhelmed with him bothering her and the kids trying to pick up the dog. So she left. Once she was gone, the older man, in his 50's with a beard began talking to the children. I couldn't hear what they were saying but he began offering them food and trying to lure them somewhere else with him,
Obviously, I began watching closely because that is horrifyingly dangerous. I did not see anyone around who might be the parent, so I just watched the kids.
Thank goodness a very muscular man was sitting beside the creepy guy and heard everything. The man told off the CREEPY guy and told the kids to go back to whoever was watching them. They went back to an overweight AA nanny who was in her 30/s 40/s. She had been texting the entire time, not watching at all her charges who were in danger of kidnap!
The muscular guy and other bystanders made the CREEPY guy leave, all the while he was screaming profanities and saying "I DI NOT ASK THEM FOR SEX" and telling the muscular guy who happened to be Hispanic to go back to where he came from.
Here is the Kicker - after all this occurred - the "Nanny" let the kids run around again and went back to her phone. A bystander teen who was babysitting kids a little older than the triplets ended up watching them and having them play with their kids so they did not get into any more trouble.l
If this is your nanny please be careful - your kids can be kidnapped!!
I am a nanny for a child with semi well off parents who are both manipulative and controlling of each other and their child. Since I have started working for them they have gone from one extreme to another. They are now divorcing and going thru a custody battle with each other. I am caught in the middle with both trying to get me on their side, when I stay neutral
they trash talk me to each other.
Funny that while they fight over the kid I have more time than both of them, They often come home late, sometimes "forgetting" to pick the child up.Happy hour and parties with friends take precedent. They use the pictures I take of our fun activities to brag about the child on Facebook, but actually spending time with the child is too much work. Both "Parents" have taken vacations without their child with their new love interests. I take care of the child while they are on their cruises and relaxing on the beach.
No extra pay for me when it's warranted. Their latest trick is to delay paying me when they are mad at each other,both claiming it's the other's turn. One of them eventually caves and pays me. They would crap their pants if they knew that during one of their stints I had no money to feed the child and I had to go to a food bank! At least the child ate. This child deserves PARENTS - not just me, I wish one of them gave a crap!
It's box populi, this nanny left this little girl unattended this day in June and was confronted by other nannies about not doing her job. The little girl was acting out trying ti hit the other babies and children. The bad nanny kept getting into a big mouth loaded rant. I would like to contact the girl's parents because this nanny is bragging about putting Tylenol into the girl's food to make her sleep. The nanny sits and eats while the little girl runs around hitting the other nannies and children. I also have a video of this
OK, so nannies are overworked and exploited? Welcome to the world of employment. I am a grandmother and am appalled at the way some nannies treat their charges! I have seen these children walking around playgrounds completely on their own, I have seen nannies screaming at the babies! If your child has a nanny the responsibility is on you to be sure they are well taken care of. My apologies to the many wonderful nannies who do an excellent job, you are not included in my comments.
{Comment from Leigh,owner: The nannies, mothers, and readers here are amazing in their love for kids and professionalism }
I witnessed an alarming incident at a park in Lower Manhattan in the morning in which I believe a woman was maltreating the small child she was looking after, it's not clear to me if she was the mother or a nanny but I believe it was a nanny. I phoned CPS but because I could not give her name address,plate number etc, they could not investigate the incident, they told me to try to get more info and see if it happens again. Does this blog be specific to NYC? I have taken pictures if that will help
The mom was home on psychotropic drugs {the view of the writer,ISYN} drinking and yelling at kids and me- just a very unstable mother. The dad would complain to me about his wife and I would feel uncomfortable. So when I did try to call cps she has since tried to sue me - they are rich and ruined my rep on care.com with lies and false crazy accusations which forced me to give up my livelihood and passion to help kids, What is wrong with some parents today? It's saddening and appalling, I could not rate the family and wish I could have seen reviews from other nannies that quit before me. Who protects the nannies from harm, retaliation , public slander,or lawsuits from these mentally ill parents? Not sitters websites, Praying for this situation for me !
I'm overwhelmed working in a childcare center so I have been applying for nanny positions. Working with children does not overwhelm me it's the low turnover my center has and the fact that I have no time to work on my classroom. I have to come in early, stay late and work off the clock. I have written before that this a little college town. The director knows, tries her best but staff is lacking and with high turnover.
I keep running into ageism. I am middle aged and I keep running into parents who are not happy with their young 20 year old nannies who do not follow instructions and don't care about safety. But parents want the young nannies, yet I being older and more experienced know so much more AND have overcome a learning disability. I live in a college town and run into the 20 y nannies all the time in ads etc. How can I change how the parents view me? To be 20 again...lol
I am worried about my charges while I am at work and especially while I am away. My charges are 17 months ( twins) and as you can imagine it's hard to have them contained in one spot for long. They have a huge house that has some safety locks on the cabinets. Mainly on bottom floor in the kitchen area bedroom and playroom, but only very few. My main issue is the 17 steps stairways, there are no gates on these stairs. MB has told me A and M have made it all the way up the stairs without her knowledge . MB does not want to put up the gates and "drill holes in the walls" to put the gates in. I love the twins and am worried about getting a phone call that one of them is hurt. The parents seem to be very sarcastic every time the issue is brought up. How can I protect Aand M?
I recently met a family that moved from Ohio to the mountains of Northern California that have elementary aged home-schooled children and a toddler. After a few days of working for them, I was overwhelmed with anxiety due to the children crying to me about their feelings of neglect, their mother being stressed out not giving them attention, not having clean dishes to eat off of. Overall I could see that the emotional state that they were in was concerning. Their mother hired me so that she could have a "sanity day" and do some work outside of the home. Needless to say, she "turned it on" for me to appear to be a healthy functioning family and lit a candle to cover the stench of her repulsively unclean home. I tried not to judge a busy mom with a big family at first, so I agreed to help. However, it did not take long for me to notice many red flags, (and an even dirtier condition than when I first met them), that prompted me, as a professional caregiver and teacher, to wonder if I should report this family to CPS. Here is the list of concerns:
Extremely unsanitary house. The floor in the kitchen, the counter-tops and inside the cabinets are covered with dirt, old crusted food, bugs, candy, and a variety of questionable substances. There was always food left out from days before with flies and gnats hovering. The sink and surrounding area had dirty dishes with rancid milk stains in cups and baby bottles, mold growing in water that had been sitting for days with food left in them, dishes in the cupboards were still dirty or greasy, dirty dishes and food left in every area of the house, attracting bugs, and the bathrooms were so horrendous that I didn't feel comfortable using the restroom (these boys would pee all over and never wash their hands). The house reeked a horrible smell, dirty wipes for the toddler scattered throughout the house and the children couldn't even see the floor in their rooms. Overall, every area in the house was a health hazard. Likewise, I saw no clean clothes or bottles for the toddler.
There appears to be a huge lack of structure. These kids are all home-schooled due to not having vaccinations. The oldest boy (12) was allowed to sleep-in every day that I was there, and I only saw the 10 year-old sitting at the computer once for school (while he was on the phone in front of his mother playing video games). They appear not to have much discipline or respect for an authoritative figure and did not want to read books or study; they wanted to play video games or watch TV. They defied every attempt of me to provide structure. The children would be defensive saying "we are home-schooled and can do what we want to". The kids would fight and the youngest of the three boys would try to "handle" the toddler girl to the point that she would consistently push him away and hit him. She did not appear to understand boundaries.They had lack of educational balance.The 10 year-old can only read at a 1st grade level (barely), has a speech impediment, emotional issues, and expresses his frustration openly. He is overly aggressive with his siblings. They all express their dissatisfaction with him (as well as, expressing that their mother ignores their needs).
The mother did not pay me for my services and harassed me on a caregiver website giving false ratings and information due to projection, embarrassment and spite.
Now, this is only a few days and I probably did not capture everything. However, it was enough for me to question the situation and if I should report this mother to protect the children living in filth, have a lack of education, and no real structure that will help them form as they grow up. Does any of this sound like grounds for contacting CPS officials to look into the situation? I am worried for the children but not sure if this is enough to make a report. I have NEVER seen a family this filthy and deprived, I am so concerned for the educational, emotional and overall health of these children.
