Letter from the Editor

There’s a chill in the air (at least for some of us) and winter magic is officially in the air. It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by – but then again, isn’t it always?! The holidays are often a mix of challenging, awe-inspiring, and hilarious…and even more so when you’re working in someone else’s home. The key to survival is a sense of humor!

To that end, we asked our Nanny Islanders how they plan to celebrate the holidays with their employers, which generated some great gift ideas. We also share some easy holiday recipes from the International Nanny Association to round out your holiday planning.

Easy Holiday Recipes from the
International Nanny Association

Have a party to attend and not sure what to make? Need to feed your charges while Mom and Dad attend their holiday gatherings? Have no fear! The International Nanny Association’s Beyond Peanut Butter and Jelly cookbook has loads of ideas for easy, fun cooking adventures with your charges.

PULL APART CHRISTMAS BREAD

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 to 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 (1 pound) package frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

COMBINE the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix well.  Shape the dough into 1-inch balls.  Dip the dough balls in the melted butter and roll in the sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat.  Place the dough balls in a 9-inch round pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray so they are just touching.  Place a small damp towel over the pan and et rise for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or unjtil golden brown.  Invert to a serving plate and serve warm, pulling the bread apart with hands.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

CINNAMON CHRISTMAS CIDER

Postcard from Nanny Island:
Solving the Holiday Gift Dilemma

Whether it’s a token from you to your family or a handmade gift (from the little ones) for Mom and Dad, finding the right employer gift can be a challenge – especially on a budget! Lucky for you, Nanny Islanders have been chatting up this very topic, and came up with some great ideas…

From you to the family

• A night on the town: Sometimes the smallest gestures are the most appreciated. A few Nanny Islanders give Mom & Dad a free “date night,” offering to watch the little ones for free, and perhaps tossing in a restaurant gift certificate. Simple and perfect!
• Making memories: Nannies are there day in and day out, with many opportunities to capture special moments throughout the year. From scrapbooks and digital frames to photo albums and calendars, pictures of the kids are one of Nanny Island’s go-to gifts.

From your charges to Mom & Dad

• Tis’ the Season for Decorations: When your charges are young, handmade ornaments are always a hit – especially when they feature handprints, as one Nanny Islander notes. Other popular ideas include applesauce cinnamon ornaments (visit the Island for the recipe), painted pottery, and handmade cards.
• DIY shopping trips: When your charges are older, they tend to want to choose gifts for themselves. Many Nanny Islanders take them out on special shopping trips, allowing them to surprise Mom and Dad with something they chose on their own.

Have something to say about your experiences as a nanny? Join an online community of more than 500 nannies who’ll chat up any topic you can imagine. Visit Nanny Island today!

Have something on your mind? Join the discussion at The Nanny Buzz, the blog where you’ll find tips and hints from nannies and experts, insight into the latest nanny news, and a forum where you can connect with other nannies and families.

The Nanny Store: Holidays Gifts Nanny Will Love

The holidays are here! Check out the Nanny Store and find the perfect gift for your Super Nanny! From tees and totes to mugs and messenger bags, there’s something for everyone at The Nanny Gift Shop. Head on over and see for yourself.

Ask the Experts: Nanny Raises

Q: I am currently a live out nanny to an almost 4month old. The family has asked me would I be interested in accompanying them on a 5-day trip. For me, it is the first time traveling with a family as well it is the mother’s first child and her first time bringing a nanny to travel. She is going to cover traveling expenses (i.e. airfare, meals, a place to stay, etc.). I do not want to go into this trip blind as to what I should receive in exchange for my work. The mom seems to think that my salary should be much less than what I normally receive because she is covering for my traveling expenses and "it’s a vacation for me". But in reality it is no vacation for me. Yes I will get to enjoy the weather and such. But I am still working. Also, I will be working in an unfamiliar situation, so I do not agree with getting paid much less. In fact, from what I have been reading I should get the same if not more. Could you let me know what I need to be aware of when discussing the trip in detail with mom? Thank you.

A: Several years ago I interviewed a nanny who told me about her experience traveling with a family.  She was thrilled to be offered a job with a very well known rock star and his family.  The job started off by traveling with the family for two months while the dad was on a European tour.  What a dream....two delightful children, luxurious hotels, flying first class and visiting all the major cities in Europe.  For someone who had never been out of the country, let alone lived such a glamorous lifestyle she couldn't wait to start.  I interviewed her after this experience and her quick wrap up of the experience was for two months she never had a day off and rarely had more than a couple hours to herself.  She was responsible for packing up the children, seeing that they were bathed, dressed and ready to go, holding onto them through airports, keeping them occupied in planes and ground transport, being delivered to a hotel room that she would share with the children, spending most of everyday in the hotel suite playing games, doing crafts and seeing that they took their naps.  Mom and Dad were out and about, but nanny and kids were not going to the high end restaurants nor were they touring around seeing the sights.  She quit the job as soon as they returned to the states and said "never again" to such an opportunity. 

Travel can be great or it can be dreadful for the nanny.  Employer and nanny need to work out the details before hand and families handle compensation for travel in many different ways.  Here's a link to an article that appeared in the New York Times in regard to nannies working while on the family's vacation:

The findings below may help you determine what the norm is for travel compensation.  The information is from the International Nanny Association Salary and Benefits Survey regarding live-out nannies that work an overnight or travel with the family.

INA 2006 Salary and Benefits Survey Recap

• How much do live-out nannies earn if they are responsible for overnight care?
  • 20% said they receive $100 per night additional compensation
  • 17% said they receive $50 per night additional compensation
  • 15% said they receive no additional compensation
  • 12% said they receive $75 per night additional compensation
  • 6% said they receive $25 per night additional compensation
  • 30% gave longer explanations of circumstances
• If nanny is traveling with the family, what does he/she earn?
  • 32% said they have expenses paid but receive no additional compensation (Many respondents may be live-in nannies)
  • 8% said they receive spending money (see above comment.)
  • 8% said they receive an additional $50 per day plus expenses
  • 7% said they receive an additional $100 per day plus expenses
  • 6% said they receive an additional $75 per day plus expenses
  • 4% said they receive an additional $150 per day plus expenses
  • 3% said they receive an additional $200 per day plus expenses
  • 62% answered in detail regarding additional compensation for traveling with their employer family.  Many live out nannies do not travel with their employers and many live-in nannies do travel but it is on their normal working days and may not receive additional compensation.

Some additional considerations:

It's not an all-expenses-paid-vacation if you're working all the time. Your first responsibility is to the employer and the children. If you're working around the clock, you'll probably feel like you are missing out. Ask the parents if they can set a work schedule with the same amount of hours that you work when you are at home (though the hours will probably be different). That allows you to make some plans of your own. It also makes your employer's expectations clear. This way you both know what you are expected to do and when - remember you both will need some flexibility within the schedule.

It's not an all-expenses-paid-vacation if you pay for the extras If you are used to living a frugal lifestyle, you will find that the extras like dining out for every meal, telephone calls home, snacks and bottled water on the go can really add up. If you are staying in a hotel without a kitchenette or visiting Europe, consider asking your employer for a per-diem to cover the extras and perhaps even a few museum visits or other activities. Hopefully the family will be including you in on some family activities that you may not have been able to afford and may never have had the opportunity to do on your own.

My best advice is to try to anticipate the various scenarios and make a plan with the family on how things will be handled.  Most importantly, travel with a positive attitude, enjoy yourself and make sure that the children are well cared for and the family is glad that you were with them. 

Bon Voyage!!  

Pat Cascio, President Morningside Nannies, Nanny-Employment Issues Expert

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