Monday Moxie: Inspirations from INA by Greta Schraer

Greta Schraer the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year shares with us her inspirations from the 2010 INA Conference.

On her High 5 Friday Cincy Nanny Blog, Greta writes:

Wheeew! I am a person that lives for purpose. I am not sure if it's just how I was born, if it's because of my faith or because I have seen those close to me make bad choices that in turn affect those around them. Whatever the reason is, I decided long ago, to live every day to the fullest. I am certain that no "reason for living" or "purpose" is better than another, all I know is that we have individual, unique and beautiful giftings to share with our circle of influence. Sometimes I do get off track, and I wonder, "should I be doing THIS thing like THAT person?" Then a voice inside me reminds me that all I have to be is what I was made to be.
What a relief!
What a challenge.
Have you felt that the deep knowing that if you don't accomplish the secret desire in your head... then it will never be? What could be a legendary, has the possibility of never happening.
{You: "I thought I was reading a Nanny Blog?" Me: Hang in there I hope to be going somewhere with what seems like pointless babble}.
I love to be challenged. I wish I had 3 Sundays a week to sit and read and ponder. To question. To Dream. That is why when an educational event comes along, I am psyched. When the workshops are about things my heart is passionate about, my spirit is enlightened and I smile a little bit wider. I love to learn. Go ahead and say it..."dork!"
This past week, I went to the annual International Nanny Association Conference in San Francisco! This was my 2nd conference and I was so excited to have 3 more Professional Nannies from Cincinnati joining me this year. When I attended last year, I was challenged by a keynote speaker and my peers, "What do you have to give?". I knew that I had the knowledge of this Nanny world, that so many in my city did not know of. I had the desire to go find the Nannies and give them them information, resources, and community that they didn't even know they needed. To have a few of these Nannies now join me at conference, feels like a full circle moment.

Read the rest of Greta's article on the Cincy Nanny blog.

INA Scholarship Essay Winner ... Heather McKinley

The Regarding Nannies Development Team is enjoying a few days to recoup after the INA Conference in San Francisco. We met so many wonderful people and look forward to bringing you their stories and expertise in the days and weeks ahead.

While we're unpacking, recharging and getting organized, we bring you another one of our favorites ... meet Heather McKinley. She submitted the winning essay for the Regarding Nannies INA Conference Scholarship. We met Heather at conference and are pleased she had the opportunity to enjoy her first conference and become part of the Regarding Nannies 'family'.


INA Scholarship Essay
by Heather McKinley

For as long as I can remember children have been my passion in life. In the summer of 2007 I was given a wonderful opportunity that changed my path in life. I left my school and home in Indiana to live with a family in Maryland for the summer to be the nanny for two girls. By the end of the summer, not only did I want to stay, but I had changed my major from Elementary Education to Children’s Ministry.

As I got into my new classes I knew I had made the right decision and was already thinking ahead to my next summer. That summer I spent six weeks in California for a Children’s Ministry practicum. A week later I went back to Indiana to start my new nanny job for a little girl to finish out my summer.

While I finished my last semester at Indiana Wesleyan in December 2008 I knew I wanted to find another nanny position. I moved again to watch a little boy and fully enjoyed those seven months. I got married and again we moved; this time to Cincinnati, Ohio. This brought a new and wonderful beginning to where I am today.

When I became a nanny in 2007 I did not know there was such a thing as a Professional Nanny. However, when I moved to Cincinnati in late 2009 I found a wonderful group to be a part of called CincyNanny. I learned that I could be a Professional Nanny and be part of an even larger organization. I was then able to find that the International Nanny Association offers a conference to help nannies around the world be better employees and better individuals. On our own each one of us can do good things, but as a group we can learn from each other and do great things. This made me want to be a part of the puzzle.

The INA Conference to me is a way to complete the puzzle. I not only want to put my piece in, but be joined by the pieces (people) around me so I can grow and become a better nanny for my family. There are many skills I feel I would learn by attending this conference. The first one being that I would love to become a professional, credentialed nanny. I would do this by coming Thursday to take the INA Nanny Credential Exam Review and Exam. Second, many of the classes resonate with what I am doing in my job now. Four of these classes are: “Positive Discipline for Young Children”, “Working with Families in Stress”, “Learning Through Play”, and “Is Food Your Enemy—or Your Best Friend? How to Handle Your Food and Weight Issues”.

My time at this conference would not be wasted and my employers’ family and I would both benefit from this time in the long run.

Heather has been a nanny since the summer of 2007. She has been caring for two boys under the age of 3 since October. She nannies near the Blue Ash & Indian Hill area. She is a live out nanny. She is a proud member of the INA & CincyNanny

Week End Roundup

This is Food Allergy Awareness Week and here at Regarding Nannies we thought this was an important topic for all professional nannies as well as parents.

Monday Moxie: Featured parents and nannies who shared with us how they discovered their child/charge had a food allergy

Tuesday Tips: Even if your child is not allergic to Peanut Butter, you need this list of Peanut free foods because food allergies effect us all.

Wednesdays Creative Nanny: Tonya Grell Sakowicz shared some great recipes for kids with specific food allergies.

Table Talk Thursday: Tonya Grell Sakowicz shared what it's like to have a child with food allergies and how to deal with it.

Financial Friday: Alice shared some tips on how to save $$ on foods for your allergic child with tips and websites.

Next week on Regarding Nannies the Regarding Nannies Development Team will be attending the Twenty Fifth Annual International Nanny Association Conference in San Francisco.

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Glenda, Alice and Kellie will be recipients of the first INA Service Award Pins and Alice will be a new board member on the INA Board of Directors.

We will have some new articles at the beginning of the week and hopefully some updates from conference.

Tuesday Tips ... Making the Most of Your INA Conference Experience

The Regarding Nannies Development Team is looking forward to attending the upcoming INA Conference in San Francisco.

While we have been attending for many years, we realize there are many first-timers out there. So, we asked a few of our colleagues to share with us what they thought conference attendees should bring to conference.

Some are practical, and some require work, but overall, your INA Conference experience is one you will never forget, and that you will look forward to again and again.

On the practical side …
Cortney Gibson, Erin Krex - Business cards

Taylor Augustine – dollar bills for the raffle

Debra Mathwig and Cortney Gibson suggest bringing photos of your charges (if permitted by employers) to brag about.

Pat Cascio, Cortney Gibson, April Myers and Christy Ochs all recommend comfortable shoes. Your feet will thank you.

Becky Kavanagh says bring extra money, you’ll want some items to take home and there is always a great "raffle" to get caught up in, with nice items you may want. Becky also recommends … often first time attendees are concerned about their dress and fitting in. Business casual will do it - you want to look nice but feel comfortable. Often in the hotel people will know we are with a group and we want to represent well.

Pat Cascio and Christy Ochs suggest a sweater or sweatshirt for the cool evenings.

Cortney Gibson says - You'll be bringing home more than you brought with you. Pack a small bag in your suitcase that can be used to bring home raffle prizes and other goodies.

Kim Peters suggests … if you are searching for a new job, bring your resume/portfolio. When playing tourist, bring local tourist/attraction info.

Many of our conference experts recommend bringing a small notebook to take notes during workshops, write names and numbers down of new people you meet.

Getting the most out of your conference experience …
Debra Mathwig shares with us – bring your open personality, don't be shy about going up to some one and saying hi and that you are new to INA. I know at my first conference I hung out with only a few people I knew until the last day when I met quite a few nannies. I now talk to those nannies quite often and get valuable ideas and support from them, but I wish I would have said hi and accepted their invitations to hang out a lot earlier in the conference.

Katie Vaughan
“Your first INA conference is an amazing experience! A world of new friends and colleagues, great ideas, and memories are at your fingertips. The most important thing you can bring with you is an open mind and a desire to learn and grow as an individual. Take every opportunity to network and meet fellow conference members, make sure to go on group activities and don’t miss a chance to interact with your peers and the conference speakers. There is so much experience and knowledge packed into the members that make up INA - make a commitment to soak up as much knowledge as possible during the conference so that you can hit the ground running with enthusiasm and a new ideas upon your return home.”

Tom Breedlove
With so many smart people, fresh perspectives and unique approaches to problem-solving, I think the most important thing to bring is a wide-open mind. In our rapidly-changing world, it’s important to regularly eliminate pre-conceptions and make room for new possibilities. What was the ideal way to do something a year ago may now be obsolete. Similarly, a new way to think about technology, tools or partnerships may create exciting new opportunities. It’s all there for those who are willing to participate with their mind wide open.

Kathy Webb recommends bringing a completely open mind. You are there to learn, not arrive knowing it all.

Stephanie Breedlove
I think the most important item is a fresh notepad and a commitment to think “out of the box” and take notes. This is always at the top of my list, and this will be my 16th conference. The conference is filled with new ideas, business tips, best practices, important statistics,… that get forgotten by the time you get home. A little note taking to capture some of this valuable information could make a significant difference in the success of your business.

Karen Yatsko
Bring an open mind. Don't think that you know all there is to know in your field. Whether an agency employee or a twenty year nanny, there are always topics at the INA Conference that will expand your knowledge. As a nanny, I tried to branch out and talk with others - a talk with a traveling nanny could inspire a change in the direction of my nanny career. A casual conversation with a nanny tax specialist might help my paycheck and retirement. Meeting an agency owner gave me a new perspective on how they interview parents. Bring a positive attitude. The INA Conference is a chance to meet others in your career field. If you are their complaining about your job, you going to carry around a negative vibe. Remember "Wendy Whiner" on Saturday Night Live? Stay positive and learn from others how they changed things with a positive outlook.

Becky Kavanagh
Bring an open mind - - - good no matter how many times you've come to a conference. Open yourself up to whatever comes your way. A positive attitude - - - this is experience is going to be great if you think it is. You'll meet new people, make some good friends, learn a lot and enjoy a beautiful city. Attend the Orientation on Thursday - - - before the opening reception there's a brief orientation to help new people get ready for a great conference and allows for time to ask questions about INA and the conference. You'll meet some INA members and Board members there. Make the Rounds - - - it's easy to meet a few people and then stick to them like glue, but then you'll be missing all the networking opportunities. Instead sit with new people at each luncheon or breakfast, visit the booths during network time and talk to other attendees, and yes - find some new friends to hang with as well.

Alice Shaffer wants to remind you that “Since I am playing the "raffle lady" again this year my best tip for you is bring address labels for all of the raffle tickets you will want to buy. Remember buy 5 get one free! A dollar a ticket. Lots of gifts cards, chocolate, music, and so forth. Half of all proceeds go to the Imagine Bus Project

I make a game of the conference attendee sheet and try to make sure I meet every single person who is attending the conference. I try to have a short chat with them. I have been doing this for years with all of my nanny conferences. It is a great way to meet people and network. I also send out cards in the mail or emails to people and the speakers as well after the conference.

Do you have a tip to share with first time conference attendees? We look forward to seeing many of you at conference, and for those not able to attend, we will be posting some of our favorite Regarding Nannies posts the week we are away, and look forward to sharing the information and experts we meet at conference with you in the weeks following conference.

Many thanks to all of our conference experts for sharing their thoughts and tips with us.
Taylor Augustine – Nanny
Kathy Webb – HomeWork Solutions, 4NannyTaxes.com, NannyNetwork.com
Debra Mathwig – Nanny
Kim Peters – Nanny
Erin Krex – First Class Care
Cortney Gibson – Newborn Care Specialist, Gibson Newborn Services
Christy Ochs – Nanny
April Myers – Nanny
Katie Vaughn – Westside Nannies
Becky Kavanagh – Nanny
Tom Breedlove – Breedlove & Associates
Karen Yatsko – Nanny
Pat Cascio – Morningside Nannies
Stephanie Breedlove – Breedlove & Associates

Weekend Roundup

This week on Regarding Nannies

Monday Moxie we told you about the INA Conference Charity

On Tuesday Tips:Alice shared some tips on how to decide if your family is ready for a pet

On Wednesdays Creative Nanny, Alice shared some fun activities for Cinco de Mayo next week

On Thursday Table Talk, Glenda talked about how to help children deal with a death in the family

On Financial Friday Alice told us how you can save money when you eat out.

Next week on Regarding Nannies we will have tips on what to take when you go to the INA Conference, a new twist on a traditional Mothers Day Craft and we will tell you how "Two Angry Moms" are trying to make school lunches healthier.

Thursday Table Talk:Reflecting back on 2009: Mary Ann X Meddish INA NOTY

By Glenda Propst

As her year of being INA Nanny of the Year draws to a close, we asked Mary Ann Meddish some questions about her last year.

What did being NOTY mean to you?
I believe that being selected as a Nanny of the Year should not be looked at as a pinnacle of achievement but instead as a commitment to continue on as an example of what it means to do your personal best in this career choice and industry. Being the 2009 Nanny of the Year means that I have been recognized for who I am and what I have done so far during my career in an industry that has not yet come into its own. It also means that I will forever be looked to as an example, and that I have an obligation to continue to follow my goals of constantly learning and striving to be one of the best at what I do.


Was it what you expected it would be, why or why not?
I knew that there were certain tasks and duties set before me as the 2009 Nanny of the Year that I would be expected to complete but I also knew that each past NOTY has brought something deferent to this recognition and that it was my job to make it my own. I cannot say that I reached the masses and made people listen, as I have never been one to seek attention. Instead I looked at my time as the Nanny of the Year as an opportunity to help strengthen the potential leaders of tomorrow, to encourage others in the industry to continue working towards their personal best and to recognize their strengths and achievements and to truly see what they have become and what they have to offer to this industry as it moves into the future and claims the positive recognition that it deserves.

How did it change you?
Being selected as the 2009 NOTY forced me to step up in a more noticeable way instead of my usual role of hiding behind the more outgoing and vocal members of our industry where I was (and still am) very content to play the role of a supporting them in getting things done.

What was the highlight of your year?
It may seem strange (it certainly surprised me) but one of the highlights of this year was facing my fears and speaking at last year’s conference. There have been times I have found myself involved in something before a group without warning and I always felt so self conscious and scared of messing up that I couldn’t get into it or enjoy it. There was no way I would volunteer and step out there willingly and just go for it.

What surprised you the most?
Receiving this recognition threw me right in the middle of my fears, on a stage with the job of addressing my peers, showing my appreciation, and encouraging other nannies, while also letting people get to know me a bit more. I promise I was shaking when I stepped up to deliver that speech but I accomplished that task and got a couple of laughs in the process. I have found myself before groups a few times recently and I am now able to fear it less and actually enjoy it a little bit.

What is your message to the new NOTY and do you have any encouraging words or advice for future candidates?
I am proud of the people in this industry; of what we are and what we are becoming and I am honored to address them as my peers. As I look to the future I hope and pray that others making this career choice and getting involved in this industry will allow themselves to learn and grow and try new things and reach their full potential. I hope to see the leaders of tomorrow coming into their own and stepping out of that comfortable place where they say ‘being a nanny is my job’ to owning the statement ‘being a nanny is my career’ to responding to the calling to make a difference and stepping up to be involved with the growth of our industry. We are nannies and we have the ability to do amazing things!

Weekend Round Up March 8-12

Just in case you missed something this week on Regarding Nannies: Here are the links to this weeks posts.


Monday Moxie: Regarding Nannies launched their essay promotion for an INA Scholarship.


Tuesday Tips: Sherrie Eddlebute taught us how to use "Google Reader"


Wednesday Creative Nanny: Nanny Gael Ann and her "creative assistant" shared with us their version of Sock Bunnies. A must do Spring Craft.


Thursday Table Talk: INA Conference Speaker Highlight: Lila Reyna

Financial Friday: Alice shared some information on how to get $125 by opening a bank account.

Next week on Regarding Nannies:
We will have Nitty Gritty Interview Questions , tips for purging that mountain of papers, and another INA conference speaker highlight.

Don't forget that if you are attending the conference, you only until March 31 to get your Service Award Pin applications turned in. You can email them too.

Weekend Round Up

This week on Regarding Nannies we had

Monday Moxie: Where we told you about the launch of INA's Service Award Pin program.

Tuesday Tips We celebrated Dr. Seuess's Birthday by sharing favorite Dr. Seuess books from a variety of our colleagues in the industry.

Creative Nanny Wednesday Nanny Gael Ann and her creative assistant taught us how to paint a
"Shiny Shamrock"

Table Talk Thursday Donna Shannon a featured speaker at the INA conference talked about job transformations.

Financial Friday Alice gave us great tips on saving money and get ready for the INA Conference.

Coming up next week: We will share an opportunity with you on how to win an INA Conference Scholarship if you have never been to an INA Conference.

A history lesson on the INA Nanny of the Year

By Glenda Propst, Kellie Geres and Becky Kavanagh
Former INA Nanny of the Year Recipients

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the INA Nanny of the Year. We take a look back at the first NOTY and reconnect with three of the women honored with the award, who give us a look at what their nomination process was like and what they learned and value as being an INA Nanny of the Year.

In 1990, Harriette Grant was awarded the first INA Nanny of the Year Award.
The President of INA at the time felt that it would be a wonderful way to honor a professional nanny, project a positive image of the nanny profession and show the world what a true, dedicated professional nanny really looked like.

Harriette Grant was the epitome of all that a professional nanny represented.

She was a long term nanny who was smart and educated and dedicated to improving the nanny profession. She had been a nanny for over 30 years and she was the key player in organizing ADCAN, The Association of DC Area Nannies, which was the first nanny support group in the United States and holds the honor of being the longest running nanny support group in the US today.

In addition to that, she was a founding member of INA who was serving on the board of directors. Her employers raved about her, her children adored her and even her former charges maintained their relationship with her into adulthood.

When it came to choosing the nanny to represent all nannies, she was hands down the winner.

The next year, INA made the award a little more formal, they had an application process. You had to be nominated by an employer or your agency. The committee was the President of INA, an agency owner and the previous NOTY.

You had to fill out your paperwork, give your education, your background, your work history, how you came into the nanny profession, what ages of children you worked with, what being a nanny meant to you.

Your employer had to fill out a paper on their family, their lifestyle, their kids, and how you as a nanny worked with their children, how you used your skills to provide age appropriate activities and what you did above and beyond the call of duty that set you apart as a professional.

Here were the questions:
• Please describe your candidate and why your candidate should be selected Nanny of the Year.

• Nanny's contribution to development of children's skills such as how nanny has encouraged child's language, creativity, social and emotional development.

• Nanny’s Adaptability (such as how the nanny has coped with special problems, changing requirements of the child or family etc)

• Give one specific example of exemplary professionalism that your candidate for Nanny of the Year has shown. Something your nanny was responsible for, performed or responded to which you think has earned her special recognition from her peers. Put another way, tell us a good nanny story.

Then as the nominator you had to list your own references. Each nominee also had a phone interview, her employers had a phone interview and each person who gave her a reference had a phone interview where they were asked specific questions.

The nannies were scored with a matrix that took into consideration all aspects of your professional life, your commitment to your family, and your work towards improving the profession.

There were 6 nominees that year, the winner being Regarding Nannies own Glenda Propst. The Nanny of the Year was flown to the conference, picked up in limo at the airport, did an interview on Good Morning America and then went out to dinner with the previous year’s recipient and two other people of her choice.

As time went on, the NOTY award continued to change and grow and evolve.
In the early years, just the award was the award but as time went on, the agencies and nanny support groups became more involved and wanted to contribute gifts and special things to the NOTY.

Kellie Geres, 1997 Nanny of the Year
I was new to INA when I was nominated for Nanny of the Year. A member for only four years, 1994 was my first nanny conference. In 1997, nannies could still nominate themselves for the award. That was my plan. I remember working on the application during a trip with my then employer. We were flying at the time, and she was curious what I working so hard one, during the flight. I told her and she said, “we’ll nominate you”. That was the beginning of a wonderful experience leading up to winning the award.

We both worked on the application together. I even went to her office and sat with her to during her work day to go over the application, while my charge was in school. We took this very seriously. We wanted it to be the best, stand out and we accomplished that. I took great pride in putting together my portfolio. The application is similar to what it is today asking such questions as Nanny’s general ability, contributions to the development of the children, adaptability and an example of exemplary professionalism your nanny has shown.

I was one of ten nominees that year, and upon hearing the news, I was shocked, and called my boss … conversation went something like, I won. You won? I won. YOU WON! I was treated to dinner out to celebrate and numerous cards and calls.

During my reign of NOTY, the Louise Woodward incident happened. I was thrust into the media doing television and print interviews on the nanny point of view. What I really ended up doing was educating the media and the public of the difference between a nanny and an au pair. Something I find myself still doing to this day.

I also have to credit all the wonderful nannies I looked up to in my short career as a nanny up to that point, and the saving value of nanny support groups. I would not be the nanny I am today, without my involvement in nanny groups.

I take great pride in knowing I am NOTY alum, and encourage any nanny who feels they are Nanny of the Year to consider the nomination process and be honored and recognized by your peers for a job you love. I am in a wonderful class of individuals whom I am proud to call friends and colleagues. My charges are in awe that their nanny is a Nanny of the Year. I have stayed involved in this industry by serving on the INA board of directors, other nanny groups, speaking, interviews and most currently and proud to serve on the development team of Regarding Nannies, in addition to several other blogs, and co-moderator of Nanny Island.


Becky Kavanagh – 2006 Nanny of the Year
Mary O'Connor, owner of Nannies from the Heartland, nominated me. Both Mary and my employer had tried to nominate me previously but I didn't feel the time was right - either because of other things happening in my life or serving on the INA Board of Directors which felt awkward. So 2006 was the year and I was ready. Mary cited not only my long term employment as a nanny but the ongoing involvement in the nanny industry both locally and nationally in her nomination statement.

This was the first year of the implementation of a new process for the NOTY Selection Committee using an objective weighted rating scale for each area of consideration. These areas include - experience, training, exemplary action cited by nominator, volunteer work and contribution to community, application and portfolio, interview, and references. The selection committee has always used these areas in considering nominees but it was never defined as a rated or weighted scale before.

The process seemed very straight forward to me, but that could also be due to the fact that I have served on the selection committee several times years before my own nomination. I guess I was comfortable about what was being asked, but that doesn't really prepare you for the time needed to complete your portion of the nomination documents and support materials. Securing letters of recommendation became fun as I found so many people delighted to be asked. When I read their responses I was touched by not only their strong recommendations but in the examples that they cited. We don't often get the opportunity to hear from a variety of people just how much we have meant to them. I can't really describe how it feels - amazing seems too small a word. I can tell you that if I'm having a bad day or wondering if I make a difference to anyone all I have to do is read one of these letters and I'm back in business!

Along with a detailed resume nominees are asked for a list of courses/seminars/conferences, other qualifications and special skills, hobbies and interests, and your professional goals. There was a section dedicated to your professional experience, industry involvement, and continuing education. There were additional questions about your nanny journey that focus on certain aspects of the industry. Finally there were three essay questions on industry issues - these reflect questions that media might ask an INA Nanny of the Year.

Part of the process also includes an interview with one of the committee members. They also ask several questions that might be posed by media or about how the nominee would handle media questions. I remember that I was interviewed by INA NOTY 2005, Jenny Brown, she did a wonderful job to put me at ease while we went through the set of questions. Each committee tends to select these questions based on current issues - they are trying to determine how comfortable each nominee is with speaking and their knowledge base. I believe any experienced nanny would be able to handle these questions.

I think I've said this before but the process nominees go through would be good for all professional nannies to experience. Think of it - putting together a portfolio that depicts your full career experience, obtaining letters of recommendation from individuals that think so highly of you, being able to express yourself about real and significant issues facing the industry - well it's a journey I wish every career nanny would take! It was an honor to accept the award on behalf of all the nannies dedicated to their profession and the families they serve, but it was a real growing experience for me to go through the process of becoming a nominee which has even more value to me.

Today, if you look at the nomination packet it is a little overwhelming, but if you are considering a nomination this year, you need to print out the paperwork, and formulate a plan for what you are going to do and how. Just take it one section at a time, talk to your friends, get their ideas for how to best go forward, and go for it.

The nomination restrictions have been eased this year, you don't have to be a member of INA but you do have to join once you are nominated. You can be nominated by a peer, your nanny support group, your agency or even a friend. This is a great opportunity for nanny support groups to support each other and nominate a special nanny.

Are you a former INA Nanny of the Year? What was your experience and what would you tell nannies considering nomination?

Do you have a special memory of an INA Nanny of the Year or has one of them influenced you somehow?

Share your comments with us and our readers!

What role music plays for the 1998 INA Nanny of the Year.

1998 INA Nanny of the Year Cynthia Wilkinson

Cynthia divides her time between her nanny career and her career as a professional musician. In 2000, Cynthia released her first children's CD called Jumpin' Up to the Moon and in 2003, she released Jumpin' On Down the Road. Cynthia is still very involved as a nanny for her 5 year old charge, Blake, and has enjoyed serving as a nanny mentor for INA. In 2004, she launched her website, jumpinwithcindy.com, where she can now market her CD's to a national audience. Cynthia is also a faculty member of the Swallow Hill Music School and the Denver Center Theatre Academy, as well as an Artist in Residence with Young Audiences and the director of the children's choir, "Sound Seekers". Her work with children also includes serving as Master Teacher for the Metropolitan State College of Denver's Child Development Center and presenting at conferences throughout the country.

How receiving the NOTY™ award has impacted her career: Cynthia says "It was a wonderful experience to serve the nanny profession as NOTY™. One highlight was being featured on a local PBS program. I was not filmed or interviewed, but journalists from the Denver area discussed a story about me that was written in the Denver Post. They focused on my high level of education and professionalism. It was such an honor to be treated with respect by the press and not to be involved in a "tabloid level" of reporting. I was proud to be able to spread the word that there are many true professionals who have chosen to become career nannies."

What is she doing now? Cynthia is working as a nanny in the Denver area for an 18 month old girl and is celebrating her 10th year as a member of the faculty at the Denver Center Theatre Academy. In her spare time, she assists with a children's choir, and recently performed with the choir on her hammered dulcimer. Cynthia also enjoys being active in INA and writes for the associations newsletter, INAVision. Cynthia hopes to release her first lullaby CD, Jumpin' Into Dreamland, this spring.

Words of wisdom: Be creative in finding new ways to make your nanny career interesting. Look "outside the box" for new avenues to travel on your nanny journey.

Check out Cindy’s new music blog!

Could you be the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year? Find out more about the nomination / application process on the INA website.

Are you looking for an INA Nanny of the Year mentor? Would you like to work with a past recipient of the award to answer questions, offer insight and guide you through the process? Read how the mentor program works and how you can take advantage of this offer through the INA.

Financial Friday: A Membership For A Year

Financial Friday: Gifts That Last A Year!
by Alice Shaffer

As a professional nanny, I sometimes struggle with what to get my nanny friends for the holidays and their birthdays. Some of them are live in and others are live out. Either way we all are downsizing in some capacity of what we need or want for the holidays or our birthdays. Our employers, our siblings, our parents and friends all ask us what we want for the holidays and even for our birthdays.

To read the rest of this article please visit : The Financial Nanny

Being Nominated for the INA Nanny of the Year Award is .....

This week we catch up with Jenny Brown, 2005 INA Nanny of the Year.

Jenny shares with us that … “Being named the 2005 INA Nanny of the Year was a huge thrill. Personally, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I was being acknowledged for something I am truly passionate about. I love my job and career and was honored to be chosen. I think professionally it benefitted me greatly. I know my current employers were impressed and knew they had a true professional when they hired me. I think it also gave me confidence. I decided to go back to school to earn my ECE degree. I went through the year long program and now need to finish a few more classes to fulfill that goal. Many doors have opened for me and I owe a lot of them to being the 2005 Nanny of the Year.

Do you know an outstanding nanny that should be the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year. She may be a friend, co-worker, nanny you’ve placed or member of your local nanny support group. She may be a daughter, wife or your nanny! Consider nominating them for the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year, to be awarded in May at the 25th Annual INA Conference in San Francisco.

Being nominated for the INA Nanny of the Year award is:

• an honor

• about being a voice for all nannies

• a true validation of your career choice

• a confirmation that you are in the right place, doing the right thing

• a platform for future success

• about honoring ALL nannies who dedicate their lives to caring for children

• about revisiting and reexamining your professional goals

• about growing as a professional

• about reflecting on your experience being part of a parenting team

• an affirmation of the dedication and love you have for your profession

• about finding out how many lives you have truly impacted

• a celebration of your career choice

• a confidence booster

• a realization that you can dream bigger dreams

• a reminder that your life and your work has profoundly impacted others.


To help out our nominees or learn more about the process, INA has gathered past Nanny of the Year recipients who will act as mentors to potential candidates. From application questions to help putting together a portfolio, these past NOTY winners will guide candidates through the process. Find out more about the INA Nanny of the Year Mentor Program here.

A Nanny for the Ages - Harriette's Story

The 2010 INA Nanny of the Year will mark the 20th Anniversary of honoring outstanding professional nannies for this organization. Do you know who the first INA Nanny of the Year is?

Harriette Grant was the epitome of a Professional Nanny. Here is her story, as told by Glenda Propst in remembrance of her dear friend. This article first appeared in the June 2001 NAN newsletter and has reprinted with permission.

Harriette's Story
Harriette Grant passed away on June 30, 2002. She had been a nanny for 40 years. You can read her story in the book Like a Second Mother but here is my tribute to her life and her enormous contribution to nannies everywhere.

A nanny for the ages by Glenda Willm Propst

These are some newspaper headlines from 1961:
U.S. Breaks Off Diplomatic Relations With Cuba;
John F. Kennedy Inaugurated as President of the U.S.
Peace Corps Established by Kennedy;
UN General Assembly Condemns Apartheid;
‘Freedom Riders’ Attacked by White Citizens in Anniston and Birmingham;
Bay of Pigs Invasion;
Kennedy and Khrushchev Meet in Vienna to Discuss Disarmament;
Berlin Wall Constructed; Actor Gary Cooper Dies at Age 60.

These are some popular books from 1961:
Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein;
Catch-22, by Joseph Heller; and
Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller (the first legal publication in the U.S.).
Some of the popular movies that year were:
"West Side Story,"
"The Hustler," and "Judgment at Nuremberg."

And among the most popular songs were:
"Love makes the World Go Round,"
"Moon River,"
"Where the Boys Are," and "Exodus."

How many of you remember any of these events and cultural markers? How many of you were even born in 1961?
Well, even if we are among those who were not yet born in1961, there was an event that in some way affected all our lives that year. This event did not make the headlines, but it changed our lives all the same.

In July, 1961, Harriette Grant began her career as a nanny. At that time there were no newspaper articles about nanny salaries or benefits there were no formal nanny training programs in the United States, there were no nanny support groups, and there were no nanny organizations.

Harriette was just 19 when she started taking care of Sylvia Whitman. In the book "Like a Second Mother," Sylvia writes about a very different Harriette from the person we know. Sylvia’s "Rat," as she affectionately called her, changed her hair color every week, and their house was the best patrolled in the neighborhood because all the policemen had a crush on Harriette.
Harriette was with the Whitmans nine years, and she maintains a close relationship with Sylvia Whitman, who is now all grown up with a child of her own.

In 1970 Harriette moved to Washington, DC, to care for the Brown children, with whom she stayed for 20 years. Even after the children were teenagers, Harriette remained and helped the Browns part time (she took a second part time job with another family in the neighborhood).
Harriette was there when one of the Brown children graduated from Princeton University, and when her other "child" graduated from High School. While she was in DC, Harriette began to get serious about solving the problems surrounding the lack of support nannies had.
Harriette Grant was one of the founders of the very first nanny support group in the USA. It was called ADCAN - the Association of DC Area Nannies. The group still runs strong today, and prides itself on being the oldest nanny support group in the nation.

Harriette was also a founding member of International Nanny Association, served on its board of directors, and was the INA’s first Nanny of the Year in 1990.

She was one of the three co-founders of NAN in 1992.

When Harriette moved to New York City in 1999, she became one of the founders of the Professional Nannies of New York.

I first met Harriette Grant at the INA conference in Vail, Colorado, in 1988. We were going to be serving on the INA Board together. It did not take long for us to realize that we had the same concerns, the same vision, and the same passion for the nanny profession. After the conference, we burned up the phone lines on a regular basis.

We became very good friends, and in 1992, along with Eva Harkness, we founded the National Association of Nannies.

In 1997, when Harriette asked me to run with her for Co-President of NAN, one of my greatest concerns was that it might hurt our friendship. We promised each other not to let that happen. I think we’d both admit that at times it has been a struggle, but we served as Co-Presidents for the last four years, and we are still on speaking terms. We did not always agree, but we always respected each other and we have always tried to make what was best for NAN our top priority.
NAN benefited from her vision, her professionalism, her steadfastness, her wisdom, and her commitment to the Nanny profession.

It’s a little overwhelming to think of all the things that have happened in the last 40 years, and of how far the nanny profession has come. I think of all the changes Harriette saw and of all the nannies she encountered on her journey.

When I think of Harriette Grant, I think of the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail."

Harriette led the way where there was no path. She blazed a trail for 40 years, .As her torch is passed, we can all learn a valuable lesson from her life, her example, and her dedication to her career.

It is up to each of us to continue the work that Harriette started. We are pioneers of the nanny profession, and it is our job to continue to blaze the trail.

Harriette, you have been our friend, our leader, and our inspiration. We will never forget you and we will work hard to continue your legacy.

You leave us with many wonderful memories but a hole in our heart that only you could fill.

Rest in peace dear friend.


Do you know a Nanny for the ages? Do you know an outstanding nanny that should be recognized by her peers for the work she does, the professional and personal accomplishments she has achieved in her career? Many nannies are uncomfortable asking to be nominated or are unaware of the award and recognition they deserve. Individuals, agency owners/staff and nanny support groups leaders are encouraged to reach out to your nanny community and consider nominating one – or more – nannies for the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year. Nomination details are available here.

Also NEW this year is the INA Nanny of the Year Mentor Program. Past Nanny of the Year award recipients are available to work closely with Nanny of the Year nominees and those individuals who wish to nominate a nanny for the INA Nanny of the Year award.

Past Nanny of the Year award recipients have volunteered to help guide nominators and nominees through the nomination and applications process and are available to serve as a resource for those individuals considering nominating a nanny or those nannies considering accepting nomination.

Past Nanny of the Year award recipients are also available to work closely with nominees as mentors throughout the Nanny of the Year nomination and application process.

INA Nanny of the Year - Past and Future

Over the next few months, Regarding Nannies will be visiting past INA Nanny of the Year recipients who offer Words of Wisdom to all nannies.

INA will be honoring the 2010 Nanny of the Year at their May conference in San Francisco.

What does being selected as the INA Nanny of the Year mean?
For those who have received that honor, being selected as the INA Nanny of the Year means:

• having an opportunity to educate others about the importance of nurturing and supporting the growth of children

• having a public platform to educate others about the important work nannies do

• having a public platform to encourage colleagues to be the best they can be

• being the face of today’s nanny and portraying a positive image of nannies through media opportunities

• being encouraged to become more involved in professional organizations for nannies

• being inspired to give back to the profession

• embracing professional growth

• reenergizing and renewing your passion and love for your career

• being inspired to continue your education

• seeing doors open and having the courage to walk through them

• realizing how much I was loved

• expanding the limits of my comfort zone and braving my way through new territory

• changing in ways that were unimaginable

• growing beyond what I ever thought I could be

• giving something back to the profession that I love.

2006 INA Nanny of the Year Becky Kavanagh share these Words of Wisdom with other nannies ….

The experience of being a nominee for INA’s Nanny of the Year is like no other. As soon as I submitted my completed portfolio I thought every professional nanny should have this experience, this challenge. Most of us go through our careers not ever knowing the impact we have in the lives we touch. As part of the process of completing the INA NOTY portfolio you see what you mean to your employers, the nominator, and those who write recommendation letters for you. In my case the three children who have been in my care wrote their own letters which I'll always cherish. Completing this challenge can't help but boost your confidence and allow you to feel how significant your work is. Professionally, nominees and honorees set themselves apart.

Introducing INA Nanny of the Year Mentor Program
This year, past Nanny of the Year award recipients are available to work closely with Nanny of the Year nominees and those individuals who wish to nominate a nanny for the INA Nanny of the Year award. Past Nanny of the Year award recipients have volunteered to help guide nominators and nominees through the nomination and applications process and are available to serve as a resource for those individuals considering nominating a nanny or those nannies considering accepting nomination. Past Nanny of the Year award recipients are also available to work closely with nominees as mentors throughout the Nanny of the Year nomination and application process.

If you are considering nominating a nanny for the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year award or are considering a nomination for yourself and would like to be put into contact with one of our Nanny of the Year award mentors, please contact Glenda Propst . Please include “NOTY Mentor” in the subject line of your email.

Do you know an outstanding nanny who should be the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year? Are YOU the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year? Get all the details of the INA Nanny of the Year process here.

Monday Moxie: Minnesota Nanny Day by The Twin Cities Professional Nannies

The Twin Cities Professional Nannies (TCPN) is a nanny support group serving the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area. Part of TCPN’s mission is to provide ongoing professional development for local nannies, families and community members. For the past eight years TCPN has put on an annual conference day in conjunction with the organization’s annual meeting. With this year’s theme – Come Play with Us – participants enjoyed the playful side of our careers.

Carrie Stolar presented Getting Kids Healthy and Back Outdoors. Carrie shared the most recent facts on children’s health and gave us ideas of fun things to do with kids outdoors! Ms. Stolar serves as Senior Brand Manager of the Säjai® Foundation. She graduated from Vanderbilt University, and earned her MBA at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Carrie’s responsibilities at the Säjai Foundation include product development and brand management. She introduced us to a child friendly program that is being launched with children from six to twelve, and also gave us great hands-on practical ideas to get children – and ourselves – outdoors and active. We all took home a handout full of new and rejuvenating ideas to use immediately.

Paulette Pelletier presented Fun & Healthy Snacks. Paulette shared ideas and recipes to liven up snack time. We all shared our experiences with snack time challenges and the incorporation of all ages at snack. Paulette came to us with 20 years experience and has an Early Childhood background. She presents workshops for those working in the child care field and has been a Toddler Head Teacher and Child Care Center Director. Paulette currently is the Conference Coordinator and Field Representative for Providers Choice-sponsor of the Child and Adult Food Program. Not only did we have a chance to share our experiences of success or challenge with snacks and mealtime, but we also had the opportunity to explore other options that the children in our care could benefit from right away.

Paulette graciously agreed to fill our third speaker slot since she had become ill. Her vast experience working with child care providers made it easy for her to shift gears and bring us Homemade Games. This presentation fit into our theme like a glove. Paulette demonstrated easy to create games, crafts and activities for all ages. She generously shared her supplies and ideas allowing conference attendees to actively participate in a make-n-take session. Although a last minute addition to the conference schedule, Paulette’s Homemade Game session turned out to be a participant favorite.

TCPN Founder and current President, Mallette Parry had these sentiments to share:

On October 10th of 2009 TCPN had it 8th annual conference. I am happy to say I did a much better job leading this year than the very first one we had 2000. I know and I can speak for many when I say that we had a wonderful time this year. We used the theme "Come Play with Us". The speakers were centered on this theme. There were three speakers planned for the day. The first talked to us about the importance of outdoor play, the next one talked about Healthy Snacks and Homemade Games. Our second speaker stayed because our 3rd speaker became ill the morning of the conference. From what I heard she was a favorite to many. We had just over 20 nannies attend the conference. As a current board member I was very happy. We had several new nannies attend the conference for the first time. I look forward to seeing them at future events and the conference next year.

One of my favorite parts of the conference was the centerpieces. Shellie, our conference chair brought in children’s toys which included: a child's tea set and battleship. And I brought in a bead toy.

We had a wonderful conference committee. The board and the committee worked very hard to make it a huge success again this year. The day was very rewarding and I came away with the reminder of the value of being outside, great snack ideas and some wonderful homemade games. I also want to extend my thanks to all who donated for door prizes this year. A special thanks to Regarding Nannies for their donations. Over all, I have to say we were very pleased with the whole day.

Other attendees made these comments:

"I loved coming away with so many ideas"
"All of it was great!"
"A really good conference, they keep getting better."

TCPN is fortunate to have a group of nannies who care enough to volunteer their time and talents to bring an annual conference of this caliber to local nannies. Hours of work and planning went into it and another great conference was the reward.

Conference Sponsors are the final ingredient needed to make the annual conference a success year after year. We want to acknowledge the following individuals and businesses for their support: Nannies from the Heartland, Mary O’Connor, Regarding Nannies, HomeWork Solutions, Breedlove & Associates, Mallette Parry, Shellie Jensen, Lori Baker, Melissa Weinacht, Becky Kavanagh, Jean Toenges, Michelle LaRowe, and the International Nanny Association.

TCPN normally holds their Nanny Day the 2nd or 3rd weekend in October. Be on the lookout for the announcement of the 2010 date.

Financial Friday: SmartyPig helps you save for Conferences and more!

Several months ago I found out about SmartyPig. I instantly fell in love with the little guy as a professional nanny who wanted to save for goals! Isn't he adorable? SmartyPig is an online "piggy bank" for all of your goals you want to save for. Whether it be the INA Conference, a Nanny retreat, plane ticket home for the holidays, a new couch, or a new car...SmartyPig is here for you!

Today I am going to share with you how I have been using SmartyPig to save for my INA conference fees goal that can be sent in on March 1, 2010. I have been saving since June 2009. I will also be adding two more goals (Hotel payment goal & airfare goal).

To read the rest of the article: Visit The Financial Nanny's article: Financial Friday: SmartyPig helps you save for Conferences and more!

Upcoming Events for 2010

All Things Nanny has compiled a listing of known nanny events / conferences for 2010.

We know continuing education is important to nannies, and are pleased there are many opportunities available in the coming year. From an exciting INA conference in San Francisco to a relaxing nanny retreat in Key West, there is something for everyone.

As details and events become available, we will be sure to bring you that information.

Stay tuned to Regarding Nannies for The Financial Nanny tips on how to save for conferences.

If you know of any events or would like your event posted here, let us know!

Weekend Round Up

Don't forget to take advantage of the Fall Sale on Letters by Design
You can get 20% off your order with the sales code FALL09
Be sure to use the link above.

Monday Moxie We shared with you new information on the INA Nanny of Year and who can qualify.

Tuesday Tips Pat Cascio shared tips on how to get children involved with helping at home

Wednesday's Creative Nanny Mary Ann Meddish shared ideas about great gift ideas for parents or grandparents for the holidays or any time of year.

Thursday Table Talk Mary Ann Meddish encouraged all nannies to consider being nominated for Nanny of the Year.

Friday Financial Nanny Alice shared tips on how to manage bills that come due annually and quarterly.

Coming up this week on Regarding Nannies:
Kathy Webb shares tips on how to have a successful nanny share and Glenda shares some quick and fun Halloween Snack ideas.

Are YOU the Next INA Nanny of the Year?

By MaryAnn X. Meddish

2009 INA Nanny of the Year

Recently those in our industry celebrated National Nanny Recognition Week. I know that during that week every nanny secretly hoped that their employers would recognize them for the work they do. My question to you is, "Why is that week the only time we hope to be recognized for the work we do?" I want to challenge you all to recognize yourselves and your fellow nannies year round. Take a look at where you are and of what you have accomplished. Have you learned, grown, expanded your boundaries and taken educated risks this year? Have you considered what you are going to do next year? Have you thought about taking your career one step further?

Read the complete article here

(You will need to scroll down to the article)

INA Nanny of the Year Nomination Packet

Nanny of the Year Biographies

How to help increase the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

This applies to all types of childcare options for families. Make sure to share this with those that have children in daycare as well. We are sharing a portion of a post from the INA Blog:

We (INA) are extremely pleased to report that INA's ongoing lobbying effort to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) has resulted in three bills in Congress in support of our position! The bills, H.R. 460 and H.R. 1500 in the House and S. 210 in the Senate, all seek to raise the amount of childcare expenses eligible for the credit as well as the percentage of those expenses eligible for the credit. This is excellent news! As you may know, currently the CDCTC provides a minimum credit to working families of 20% of the first $3,000 spent on childcare for each of the family's first two children per year. The CDCTC has not been increased in years, and thus it does not even begin to cover a family's childcare costs.

To read the rest of the article and how to write your congressmen please visit INA Lobbying Efforts need your help to increase Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit . It is under the Host to host an NNRW event video.

Remember to share with all involved in the childcare. Those that pay for childcare and those that give childcare.