Table Talk Thursday: Where You Can Find A Nannypalooza: Nannies Across America Event

Table Talk Thursday: Where You Can Find A Nannypalooza: Nannies Across America Event
by Alice Shaffer

On Monday, Regarding Nannies featured "Monday Moxie: Nannies Across America" in which Sue Downey shared with us what the 2010 Nannypalooza will be all about.  Many cities are in the works already of planning a wonderful day of learning for professional nannies.   These events will be held during the weekend of Sept 18th and 19th, 2010. 

I am sharing with you today, some of the fun events planned already.  Many cities are still planning their "Nannies Across America" event.  To find out who is  planning things please visit the listings of cities.


Florida:

Name of Group/Person hosting NAA: Central Florida Nannies

contact name: Marcia Van de Kieft

contact email: centralfloridanannies@yahoo.com

website: http://www.centralfloridanannies.com/

Date: Saturday, September 18th, 2010 8am-4:30pm

Location: Hampton Inn North Orlando 151 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL

Cost: $20

How to register and deadline: Details can be found on our website under the "Nannypalooza Orlando" tab. Or, you may email us at CentralFloridaNannies@yahoo.com for more info. We accept Credit, Debit, Check & Money Order. (All Credit & Debit transactions will be charged an additional $2 service fee.)

Workshops being held:

We are still working on finalizing our workshop schedule,

We are having the following workshops:

• Presenting Yourself to Families
• Taking Care of Nanny
• Sign Language to increase communication & literacy
• Potty Training Basics
• Redirecting Children's Behaviors

  

Anything else you want to add:

Our event includes 8 workshops, Breakfast, Lunch and a Social Networking Event for just $20!!! You can't get that kind of fun for so cheap anywhere... and learn at the same time! :) Since our event is being held at a Hampton Inn, we also have a room block (under Nannypalooza Orlando/Central Florida Nannies) for $69/night (includes hot breakfast). So, attendee's can make a weekend get-away out of it. It's going to be a lot of fun!!

Michigan:

Name of Group/Person hosting NAA: Michigan Professional Nanny Association

contact name: Tara Lindsay

contact email: Tara@michiganpronannies.org

website: http://www.michiganpronannies.org/

Date: Saturday, September 18, 2010 8:30am-4:30pm

Location: Lahser High School, Bloomfield Hills

Cost: $25

How to register and deadline: Registration opens August 9, 2010 through September 15. Pre-registration before August 9 to training@michiganpronannies.org

Workshops being held:

*Michigan Mandated Reporter Training

*Arts and Crafts for the non-artsy nanny

*Professional Communication Skills: How to successfully navigate problems and troubles with your employers

*Stop the Meanness, Spread the Kindness: Family conflicts, Sibling rivalry, and social bullying

*Behavior and Nutrition: How what they eat affects how they act

*Self Defense for Caregivers

*Sticky Subjects: Talking to kids of all ages about drugs

*Ask Another Nanny: Roundtable style solution session


Anything else you want to add:
If your industry related business would like to sponsor Nannypalooza Detroit and/or donate items for goodie bags, please contact tara@michiganpronannies.org

Wisconsin:

Name of Group/Person hosting NAA: Northshore Professional Nanny Agency & Northshore Professional Nanny Alliance

contact name: Mary Boyle

contact email: northshorenanny@gmail.com

website: http://www.northshorenanny.org/ or www.nannyalliance.blogspot.com



Date: Saturday, September 18th

Location: Schlitz Audobon Nature Center (SANC) Bayside, WI

Cost: $0

How to register and deadline: RSVP by Aug. 18th to northshorenanny@gmail.com

Workshops being held: We will be having several speakers, including: Patti Bailey, Director of the SANC Preschool will be speaking about the importance of nature in child development. Patti's workshop will include a tour of the preschool and outdoor play areas, as well as take-home materials for each participant. Marcia Hall, INA 2x NOTY nominee CPN and Parent Coach will be speaking about Children's Personal Style. Dr. Amy Leventhal, Child Psychologist, will be speaking about Cognitive Discoveries - and more TBA!!

Anything else you want to add: We will be having a raffle, gift bags for each participant, a round-table problem-solving session and an optional dinner in the evening. Also, lunch will be provided and each participant will receive a certificate of participation. We are looking forward to a great conference!!

Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level - Part 5

by Kellie Geres, Regarding Nannies Development Team
President, ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies

Two questions I hear often from nanny group leaders are … One, should we charge membership dues and Two, should nanny agencies be permitted to be supporting members?

Charging membership dues will provide you with an income to help cover some of your costs – printing, postage, special events. However, they do not cover all your costs, depending on the size and scope of your group. Ranges of amounts charged by groups across the country are $15-$35 annually. You will need a checking account for your group and you can accept checks, cash and PayPal.

So what does membership include?

• Newsletter

• Membership directory

• Access to members only events/services

• Member discounts

• Voting on membership issues

• Area benefits – discounts at area stores

Dues can be determined January – December and pro-rated for new members, but I recommend starting in the month they join and ending one year later.

You also need to determine levels of membership for nannies. I will use ADCAN as example here.

Active (Yearly Dues $35)

Requirements:

1. Currently employed as a professional nanny.

2. Currently employed as an au pair, in-home child care provider and/or mother's helper.

Associate (Yearly Dues of $35)

Requirements:

1. Professional nanny not currently employed as such, or who may be living outside the DC Metro area.

Agency * (Yearly Dues based upon ads submitted to Newsletter. Available at levels of $75 and $125)

Requirements:

1. Any agency or industry related businesses that are involved with nannies in the DC metro area.

Spousal *(Yearly Dues of $15)

Requirements:

1. Any spouse of any current member.

Temporary * (Dues of $15)

Requirements:

1. A nanny/child care provider in the DC area for four (4) months or less.

Newsletter Only * (Yearly Dues of $15)

Requirements:

1. Any person wishing to receive only the bi-monthly newsletter.

Business Memberships / Sponsorships

Reaching out to the agencies in your area and the industry services will help you reach a broader audience of nannies and interest in your group.

By offering businesses an opportunity to support your organization you are generating additional funds for operating your group, and in return you can offer the following to businesses:

• Advertising in newsletter

• Listing on your website and/or blog

• Participation in area events – for example, ADCAN will be taking part in a local child care vendor fair, and we will offer to display our business members’ material on our table, as part of their membership with us.

• Display of their material at meetings on a resource table

ADCAN also offers to agencies that if they pay for their nannies to be members of the organization, we reduce the annual fee for the nanny membership.

Businesses are non-voting memberships, are invited to our meetings and ADCAN offers additional sponsorship opportunities such as NNRW brunch and Holiday Party.

One final consideration, offer advertising to area businesses that caters to children and families.



The final installation in this series will focus on promotional items, ways to cut costs and a listing of resources to keep you going as you take your group to the next level.

Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level - part 3

by Kellie Geres

Regarding Nannies Development Team
President, ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies

Newsletters!

A great tool for any group or business to serve its members or customers. It can consist of a simple one page, double sided mailed out version to multiple pages sent online via PDF. You might even consider an electronic version using a service like Constant Contact.

Keep in mind …
If doing a print version, you will have printing, postage, envelope, label costs.

An email version can be done using a free PDF converter which you can Google and find online, or you can purchase one. You can use a word document format or publisher format and these programs have easy templates for you to choose from.

Constant Contact offers numerous templates, minimal costs but is limited to those with email. Sending to a list of 500 emails can cost $15 a month.

A successful newsletter should include:
President / Vice President / Owner message. Greet your members or clients. Keep them up to date on what you are doing, something meaningful going on in your group and plans for the coming months.

Main Article(s) – something timely or professionally related. There are many resources available out there on the internet, find them and make sure to get permission to reprint anything you copy from another source. Have members write articles, guest contributors, industry professional and more. Connect with other nanny groups, newsletters, and bloggers and ask them for permission to reprint. I’ve yet to have someone say no to a request. Always provide a link to their site and give full credit to the author and website.

A Calendar of Events can include birthdays, groups events, holidays, meeting reminders. Calendar formats can be found online as well.

Featured Nanny is very popular amongst nanny groups. Pick a nanny in your group that you’d like others to know. Don’t let it be just a few sentences of who this person is – this is your opportunity to really get to know this person and introduce her to your group. Ask in depth questions, candid and thought provoking questions to get your subject talking.

Include photos from events. Let your members know that photos are taken at events and will be used in publications. If anyone does not want to be included, they can opt out of photo opportunities. Be respectful of members’ wishes on this matter.

What is your group up to? Include committee updates. Have events in the planning? Need help planning a party or event? Get your members involved and publish details in the newsletter.

Ask Nanny? Offer a question and answer section that members / readers can write in and ask a question and have it answered. You can set up a simple Gmail account so that people can anonymously send in questions and have answered in future issues.

Don’t forget a disclaimer. You can search Google for simple newsletter disclaimers for the wording, but the will protect you should any matter arise.

You may also want to consider advertising. I will go into further detail on this in part 5, but advertising will help defer your costs, offer added benefits to businesses and resources to your members and clients.

Here is a complimentary look at the newsletter of ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies.

A newsletter is a great communication tool, and communication is key in a successful group. Some other forms of communication you might consider for your group are:

Members Only Yahoo Group – this allows for membership only communications and can help with planning, organizing and implementing events.

Have dedicated emails for your group. Gmail is a great tool for this. Free and as many as you like. Offer one for newsletter, one for membership, one for events. This way you keep everything organized and only those persons who need access to certain information have access to those emails, and not the entire groups email.
Phone trees are a great tool as well. We all get caught up in emails and facebook and twitter. A phone call does wonder when reaching out to your membership. New members should receive a welcome call.

Something special going on in the group? Call and let everyone know. Is there a member who isn’t coming to meetings? Call and touch base and see if everything is OK. That personal touch goes a long way in creating relationships with your members and potential members.

Evite is an awesome tool for groups. Manage your events by creating, inviting, RSVP, directions and even refreshments. Simple and free.

Postcards are one of my favorite tools in communicating with groups. For this, I LOVE VistaPrint. 100 FREE postcards and all you pay is shipping. How can you go wrong? Do Save the Dates; group information to pass out at parks, playgrounds, businesses; membership receipts for payment, National Nanny Recognition Week reminders, and much, much more!

If you don’t have a blog, consider doing one in conjunction with your website. A blog is a great communication tool. You can post articles and findings from other sites (make sure to give credit), post articles that appear in your newsletter, and much more.

Have a group page on Facebook. Make it public so that people in the industry and the public can learn about you. Post when you have a meeting, area events and attractions, industry news, national news and points of interest for your members and readers.

So many opportunities, so many choices. Do your research and see what you are comfortable doing. Two pages or 20, it’s all up to you and what you want to provide.

Next up … Fundraising!

Taking Your Nanny Support Group to the Next Level

This is the first in a six part series dedicated to Nanny Groups and leadership.

by Kellie Geres, Regarding Nannies Development Team

President, ADCAN ~ Association of DC Area Nannies

As Nanny Support Group leaders, you struggle with the day to day challenges of making your group succeed in today’s industry. Whether you have an online group or meet in person, you want to reach as many nannies as possible in your area. What do you offer, what resources are available, how can you increase membership, operating funds, participation? I’ve worked with nanny groups for most of my 21 years as a nanny, and am the current president of ADCAN – Association of DC Area Nannies. ADCAN is the longest running nanny support group in the country and many of the examples I’ll use in this series, I use directly with ADCAN.

First, what type of group best fits you and your area?
If you already have a group or looking to start one, you need to determine what type of group best fits you and your area best.
• Online groups such as yahoo or Ning are great for keeping in touch, sharing ideas and events, and coordinating outings.
• In Person groups meet on a regular basis either as a playgroup, monthly meeting, and discussion groups.
• Social groups meet for dinner, activities, movies, playgroups
• Educational groups provide speakers, workshops and discussion on matters of personal and professional development.
• Or combine a bit of all types into your area group.

Now, how do you target the nannies in your area?
• The internet is your best friend. There are so many low cost / no cost resources out there you can take advantage of.
• Word of mouth – tell everyone you know about your group and to pass that information along to any nannies they know.
• Create a postcard, flier, brochure and /or business card with your group information. For these types of products, I LOVE VistaPrint. Most products are FREE; you just pay shipping and handling. More on VistaPrint will be in parts 3, 4 and 6.
• Buy a domain name of your group name. For this, I recommend GoDaddy.com.
• Create a website. There are free website services out there, low cost services and one that I have noticed many nanny groups doing, which are FREE is blogs. Blogger and WordPress are the two most popular. It can be as simple as who, what, where, when, and why, or include links, resources, calendar of events, members only, marketplace, etc. We’ll get into these items in more detail in part two of this series. I’ll go more in-depth on websites in part 2.
• Contact Nanny Agencies in your area and let them know about your group. Invite them to a meeting, include them in mailings, and ask them to share your information with their nannies. Get them involved! Invite them to sponsor a nanny night out, put out information at your meetings, and ask them to write an article for your newsletter (if you have one). Build relationships with the agencies so you stay on their radar and they continue to share your info with the nannies they place.
• Get noticed! Don’t have a logo? Create one. There are logo services out there or you can utilize online photo shops or clip art to create a look for your group. Even better if you know someone who can create a logo for you, take advantage of networking. Your logo should draw people to you, stand out, and when people see it, they associate it with your group. Once you have your logo, put it on your business card, postcard, flier, website/blog, etc. Go a step further and create some merchandise – journal, t-shirt, tote bag, etc., that you can wear or carry with you and get you noticed.
• Social Networking! Get your group out there on Facebook. Post events, industry news, area happenings, etc., and draw people to you. Again, tell all your friends, and have them tell their friends, and so on and so on. Before you know, you’ll have a loyal following that will help in getting your information to your community. More on social networking will be covered in part 3.

Other ways you can reach out to your nanny community:
• Post messages on local parent message boards and Nanny Group listings and Craigslist.
• Try Meetups.com. Connect with other nannies and area events and get your name out there as a contact for other nannies.
• If there are agencies in your area doing trainings, ask to come to the event and introduce your group. Bring information to pass share with others.
• Always have business cards, postcards or membership material handy to give out to nannies or parents you meet. You never know when you’ll run into potential members.
• Host an event in your area. It can be a play date at the park, brunch, cookie exchange during the holidays, meet and greet at a local restaurant.

So, much to think about, start planning and implementing. Over the course of the next few weeks we’ll continue to discuss Websites, Newsletters & Communication, Fundraising Options, Membership and Membership Options, Promotional Items and Ways to Cut Costs.

Find Nanny Groups in Your Area.

Thursday Table Talk: Living and Working with Children with Food Allergies

Living and Working with Children with Food Allergies

By Tonya Sakowicz

Living and working with children with food allergies can be a challenging task, but also one that you can turn into something fun!

There is still a fair amount of misinformation circulating around the internet and even within the medical community about food allergies, so I am going to share the basics first, some tips, tricks and ‘rules’ about working with food allergic children and finally some easy substitutions for common allergy items.

Many doctors, midwives and lactation specialists will tell moms that allergens cannot pass through the breast milk (or, if a baby is having an allergic reaction, that they are allergic to breast milk itself which is actually quite rare), but that is not true. Allergens can and do pass through breast milk so moms do need to be aware of what they are eating to try and narrow down what is causing an allergic reaction if they notice one. One of the most common ones seen that passes through breast milk is dairy proteins and it is one of the first items I recommend moms eliminate from their diet if it appears their baby is having an allergic reaction. In my personal experience, my children also reacted to wheat, peanuts and fish/seafood in my diet.

Another common mistake often passed on, even by doctors, is that children do not/cannot have food allergies. This is also not true. This misconception comes from the fact that children often outgrow allergies as they get older so it is assumed that their reaction to the food (or even on an allergy test) must not have been a true allergy. It is also possible for children to test negative on an allergy test and yet still have an allergic reaction to certain foods. And in fact, it is most likely a true allergy but they simply outgrew it. My son was allergic to wheat, dairy and peanuts and by age 5, had outgrown all 3. His dairy allergy was considered a level 4 allergy (the most severe reaction on a test) and we were told it was likely he might never outgrow it, but we were vigilant and fortunately he did. The fact that he outgrew his peanut allergy is nearly miraculous as it is incredibly rare to outgrow a peanut allergy.

Although children can be allergic to anything, the most common allergens are often referred to as “the Big Eight” and are as follows: Dairy, Wheat, Peanuts, Soy, Eggs, Corn, Tree Nuts, Fish and Shellfish. The FDA now requires that all 8 of these are listed on packaging by food manufacturers (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-allergies/AA00057). This helps you identify which manufactured foods have the allergen you are trying to avoid and not avoid. Fresh foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables, etc… are not usually labeled in this manner, even if they are prepared or marinated in the store.

A common mistake many people make is assuming because a food was safe when purchased before, it still is safe. In fact, manufacturers often change their inert ingredients or the sourcing of their ingredients based on cost and so something that was allergen-free last time you purchased it may not be this time. You have to read labels every time to ensure the safety of the children in your care.

It is also important to know all the ‘hidden’ forms of the allergen you are trying to avoid. For example, if a child has a dairy allergy, there are many, many food items that need to be avoided that do not seem obvious: Coke and other dark colored sodas is a good example. Aside from the obvious negative health implications of these drinks, dark colored sodas contain ‘caramel coloring’. Caramel is dairy-based and while not all caramel colorings contain dairy, you have no way of knowing which does and does not, so all dark colored sodas need to be avoided. Another one is Vitamin Water and many other (not all) waters with electrolytes. Electrolytes are often made from dairy-based products (although Pedialyte is dairy-free) and so their labels need to be read carefully. Do your research, talk to the child’s doctor and make sure you keep a list of hidden allergens with you when you are shopping or choosing a food item for an allergic child.

Going out to eat can be a nightmare with children who have food allergies. Think those Mc Donald’s French fries are just potatoes cooked in vegetable oil with salt? Think again. Not only does Mc Donald’s ‘doctor’ up their oil to make it taste more like the lard they used to use to fry their foods, but they also use a special coating on their fries to make them taste so good. Mc Donald’s fries actually have both dairy and gluten (wheat protein) in them. And that chicken breast you bought because nuggets obviously have breading on them? Yep, that too! It is marinated in a solution that has dairy, gluten and soy. And don’t assume that because a restaurant makes their French fries from a fresh potato they are safe either. You have to know what else they cook in their oil (fish anyone?), what kind of oil they are frying with (Peanut oil?) what is in the seasoning they put on their fries (Red Robin uses their proprietary seasoning blend—dairy, soy and gluten at last check), if they coat them prior to frying (corn flour to crisp them up) and you have to request they use all new utensils, bowls, strainers, cutting boards, etc… when they are handling the food to prevent cross-contamination with allergens. Depending on the level of severity of the child’s allergies, going out to eat may just have to be crossed off your list unless you live in a large city where you can find a Vegan (different than Vegetarian!) restaurant, but even then you have to deal with corn, wheat, nut and soy possibilities. However, this at least minimizes the number of possibly allergens you will be exposed to and gives you a few more options. I have simply found it is easier to get the kids involved in finding and making their own foods and going out for picnics and as long as the kids are part of the process, they don’t seem to mind.

One thing I always do is carry Benadryl with me at all times for the milder but instant reactions such as itching and swelling and in cases where it has been deemed medically necessary (including for my daughter); I carry an Epi-pen. It is important to know the correct dosing based on weight for Benadryl, especially for smaller children since it will not have that information on the box. Ask the child’s pediatrician or allergist to be sure—what they will tell you is often different than a pharmacist because the medication is being used differently than the typically prescribed use. And if a child in your care requires an Epi-pen, it is important that you get a hold of an Epi-pen trainer and learn how to use it properly. Educate yourself on the signs of an anaphylactic reaction and how to care for it. I also always carry the phone number of the pediatrician and the child’s allergist.

As my son got older, we began to make a game out of finding foods that were safe for him to eat and exploring new recipes. It became our own personal scavenger hunt and he did not feel so ‘different’ from the other children. We made gluten-free pizza crusts together and put them in the freezer so when he was invited to a pizza party, we could make his pizza and take it with us. We experimented with gluten, nut and dairy-free cake and muffin recipes and once we found some he liked, we made those and put them in the freezer so he had treats to eat/share also when school had parties or when he was invited to a birthday party. We learned together that sunflower nut butter (not a nut at all) tastes JUST LIKE peanut butter and makes great cookies. We learned that not only does olive oil and garlic salt taste great on quinoa (gluten-free) pasta, but that it makes a super-healthy alternative to the traditional kids favorite of noodles and butter. We learned early-on that if you expose a child to healthy alternatives to ‘traditional’ foods, not only does that child develop a taste for them, but he/she actually becomes a healthier child and finding yummy foods to eat can actually be a lot of fun!

Some great allergen-free food items and ingredients are being made these days and more and more hit the market every year as the prevalence of food allergies becomes more obvious. It used to be that you could only find these items by mail order or through specialty stores. Now most mainstream grocery stores carry many, many items that are allergen-free.

Some commonly available substitutions:

For Dairy: Soy based products, Coconut (not an actual nut) based products, rice based products, hemp based products, nut based products and for those with mild dairy allergies or intolerances, goat’s milk based products. It is also being discovered that many people with dairy allergies can tolerate raw cow’s milk products, but do not give these to the children in your care without parental/doctor’s permission since they are not pasteurized. Many of these products are so good you cannot tell the difference in taste or texture.

For Peanuts: If the child is not also allergic to Tree nuts, then there are a multitude of options available that are almond and cashew based. There are also soy and sunflower based products for those who cannot have any nuts at all.

For Eggs: There are egg-free baking substitutes and in some cases, applesauce will work.

For Fish/Seafood: There are no great substitutes, but I have found canned chicken works quite well in some recipes.

For Soy: This is probably one of the hardest because in and of itself since soy is not often consumed in its natural state except for edamame, but it is a common ingredient in a huge number of foods, so it is important to find those which are soy-free.

For Corn: Like edamame, there is no real great substitute for the raw product, but most grains will substitute quite nicely for corn-based flours and meals for baking.

For Wheat: Quinoa, Amaranth, Rice, Soy and a multitude of other flours and baked products, pastas, etc… are available to substitute for wheat (important note: wheat-free and gluten-free are two different things. Gluten-free will always be wheat-free, but wheat-free is not always gluten-free.).

Life with a child who has food allergies is not always easy and can sometimes be downright scary, but if you try to take an attitude of it as an adventure and are willing to put in the time and effort, you can make it less difficult and even outright fun and tasty for the special child in your life.

Tonya Sakowicz is a INA credentialed nanny with over 20 years of nanny experience. During that time, she worked with several children with food intolerance or allergies. 5 1/2 years ago she became a mom to a little boy who had severe allergies to wheat and dairy and and a mild peanut allergy. Her little girl, now age 2, has dairy intolerance and severe fish and seafood allergies. Tonya has served on the board of NAN, as a special committee head for INA in their Nanny to Nanny Mentor Program for several years and has taught at many of their National Conferences. Tonya was voted the Professional Childcare Provider of the Year in 2003 and nominated for the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year in 2004. In addition, that same year, she was deeply honored with a nomination by her peers for the National Association of Nannies Harriette Grant Memorial Award. Tonya currently works as a Newborn Care Specialist, primarly doing consultations on sleep issues, reflux and food allergies.

Tonya Sakowicz, Nanny Answers

http://www.babydreamteam.com/

Table Talk Thursday - When "Nanny" means "Hero"

Table Talk Thursday comes from Nanny Tips - the official blog of the Michigan Professional Nanny Association.

reprinted with permission

Nanny Tips talks with Alyson Myatt, nanny and hero, by Tara Lindsay

This past March, the nation applauded the heroic actions of a Kentucky nanny. This past week, that nanny graciously agreed to talk with me about her experience. I found Alyson Myatt to be a true example of who and what a nanny is and I feel deeply honored that she so openly and willingly shared her story with me for this blog.

More than a month after she risked her own life to save her 5 year old charge from a house fire, 22 year old nanny Alyson Myatt is still a little surprised at all of the attention she’s gotten for her heroic act. Doing her job and being who she is, according to Alyson, doesn’t feel like anything extraordinary.

Alyson says that becoming a nanny was a natural progression for her. As the sixth child of ten siblings, Alyson grew up helping to care for her younger siblings, nieces, and nephews. She started babysitting around the age of 15, was lifeguarding at 16, and by age 19 was working as a professional nanny in a career that she says is “like second nature.” Alyson nannied for several families in the Louisville, KY area and discovered a natural gift for connecting with autistic children. In the work of nannying, Alyson found that she loved “the little things that others often don’t notice…when the children smile, when they are laughing, those special little moments of connection that are so priceless.” Alyson, who is not working while she heals from her injuries, says, “I’m really going to miss those moments with Aden.”

Several months ago Alyson answered an ad for a new live-in nanny position in Shelbyville, KY, to care for 5 year old Aden Hawes. Alyson believes God led her to this particular position for what is now an obvious reason. “I saw the ad in a paper that I hardly ever look at and got excited about it.” It was Alyson’s first live-in position. She and Aden quickly developed a strong bond and affection for one another.

On a Monday night barely two months after starting the position, Alyson tucked Aden into bed completely unaware that less than 24 hours later she would be thrust into the national media spotlight as a hero and, for the nanny world, as a shining example of her profession.

At about 3 am on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, Alyson says she was awoken by the smoke detectors. She raced upstairs to find the bathroom fan on fire. The fan had not been working properly and somehow the switch to it had been turned on eventually causing the small fire. (There is currently an investigation underway to determine if the fan was defective and what, if any, liability may lie with the manufacturer.) Alyson turned off the switch and quickly put out the flames. After thoroughly checking the walls, ceiling and fan to be sure the fire was completely out Alyson called her dadboss, who was out of town on business, to let him know what had happened. She asked him if she should call the fire department but was told that probably wasn’t necessary. Following instructions, Alyson went back to bed thinking that the crisis was over.

Three hours later, around 6 am, Alyson was awoken again by a large “boom”. At first, she says, “I thought it was Aden.” In reality, the bathroom ceiling fan had caught fire again and the boom was the fan falling down to the floor. Like a good nanny, Alyson sprang from her bed to go check on her charge. As she once again raced back up the stairs she encountered a hallway engulfed in flames that firefighters say were as hot as 400 degrees. Aden was in his room, on the other side of the flames. Acting on instinct…an instinct prepared and honed by her years of childcare experience and training as a lifeguard on how to handle emergency situations…Alyson did not hesitate. “I didn’t think anything, I just acted.”

Barefoot, Alyson ran through the fire to Aden, entirely focused on getting to him with zero thought or regard for her own safety. The five year old, terrified and trapped, trusted that his nanny would save him. Scared for Aden’s safety, Alyson called to him as she ran through the flames to let him know she was on her way. “I’m here, Aly! I’m in my bed!” Alyson grabbed the child from his burning room and then, with him in her arms, ran back through the flames on her already badly burned feet to get him to safety. According to several media reports, fire officials stated that if she had waited even a minute to run to his rescue, Aden would not be alive today.

Once outside, Alyson loaded Aden into the minivan and used the tips of her toes to drive them both to safety at a neighbor’s house. Unable to walk and in excruciating pain, Alyson sent the boy to the neighbor’s door and told him to ring the doorbell until somebody answered.

Alyson was taken to the hospital by ambulance. She had second and third degree burns on her arms and hands, and third degree burns on her feet. The skin on her feet was hanging off in shreds. “I felt like I was walking on goo,” Alyson says, “but it was my feet.”

Aden, saved by the love and heroics of his nanny, was completely unhurt.

The next hours and days were a blur. Aden’s father was called and rushed home to Kentucky. Knowing his son was okay, J.B. Hawes raced from the airport directly to Alyson’s bedside to check on her well being and to try to find an adequate way to thank her for saving his child’s life

Alyson didn’t realize until Friday, three days after the fire, that her actions had garnered her so much attention and acclamation. When her sister finally showed her all the media reports and the national reaction, Alyson found it all “kind of overwhelming. I didn’t think it was a big deal.” She has been surprised at the number of people who have told her they would have gotten themselves out to call 9-1-1 and let the firefighters rescue the child. “I just did what was in line with who I am, I didn’t realize that was so rare.” While it may be rare outside the nanny world, it is lucky for Aden that Alyson is who she is. In interviews after the fire, Shelbyville Fire Chief Willard Tucker, who called Alyson’s actions “above and beyond normal heroics”, said that if Alyson had called the fire department and waited for them to get Aden that Aden would be dead.

In the immediate aftermath of Alyson’s injuries, doctors spoke of skin grafts and speculated about whether or not a full recovery was possible. They said she probably wouldn’t walk for six months. Three days after the fire and crying with agonizing pain the entire time, Alyson was up and walking. Her healing has continued to defy predictions. She has not needed a wheelchair or a walker, though she does use a cane for support when she walks. She did not need skin grafts, and was released from the burn unit after only a week. “My feet are healing really fast”, she said in our recent phone conversation. “I go to hyperbaric therapy three or four times a week and it is speeding up the healing but we don’t know exactly when it will all be done. Everybody heals differently.” She is now expected to make a full recovery.

Because the length of her recovery is uncertain, Alyson says she has asked Aden’s dad to hire a replacement nanny for Aden’s sake so that he has some stability and consistency in his care after this traumatic event. “I still see him and pick him up from school sometimes,” she says.

Meanwhile, the bills have been coming in. Alyson’s one week stay in the burn unit alone was $46,000. That doesn’t include the ambulance ride, emergency room services, hyperbaric therapy, and more. Without insurance it is a hefty burden but one that Alyson is not going to stress over. She is, she says, putting it in God’s hands.

When talking about being a nanny Alyson speaks with a love and passion common in our field. She talks of learning to be more patient and how, with children, you learn to not take things for granted. She talks with great affection for her charges and through it all it is easy to feel her enthusiasm and joy. Working as a nanny, she says, “I get a good feeling, like I’m achieving something really great.” It is a sentiment that most nannies can likely agree with.

Alyson is unsure as to whether or not she will seek another nanny position. After speaking with her, it is obvious that any family would be lucky to hire a nanny with her compassion and common sense. Alyson is primarily focused on recovering and figuring out what her options are. She is confident that God has a plan for her to follow, but for now it is too early to say what that might be. The nanny profession would certainly be lucky to claim her as one of our own.

Alyson has some advice for her fellow nannies, as well. “Be trained. Know CPR. Know how to use a fire extinguisher and know where it is kept. Have a fire plan.” She also eloquently sums up what motivates many nannies.

“Have your heart in the right place. If you’re not doing it for the children’s sake, then maybe you shouldn’t be doing it. You really have to have a heart for kids and for people in general.” This is crucial to being a good nanny because, as Alyson concludes, “You have people’s lives in your hands.”

If you’ve been inspired by Alyson’s story and would like to contribute to the Alyson C. Myatt Trust Fund to help cover the costs of her medical expenses, please visit www.alysonmyatt.com for more information.

Weekend Round Up

This has been another great week on Regarding Nannies!

Make sure to stop by and leave your comments! Our contributors love hearing from you our readers on their contributions and ideas. Please spread the word on the articles via the ReTweet button and the Share This button at the bottom of the articles. This helps others find out about Regarding Nannies and the awesome blog posts we offer. Thank you for your continued support of us!

Monday Moxie: To Be Or Not Be A Celebrity Nanny by Katie Vaughan

Tuesday Tips: Earth Day Tips For A Longer Use Of The Earth by Alice Shaffer

Creative Nanny Wednesday: Pasta Butterfly by Nanny Gael Ann & her "creative assistant"

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

Financial Friday: $79.99 for $100 worth of Check Certificates for the Hyatt Hotels. This is great for the upcoming INA Conference, or your summer vacations!

Thursday Table Talk: Christy O & Her Grandson Donavan

Donavan
By: Christy Ochs

In November, 2008 my healthy, active 10 year old grandson Donavan became ill with strep throat, and was later diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus. He had a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, and felt pretty sick. No one, including the doctors was very worried until Donavan’s condition rapidly began to deteriorate. Instead of getting better, his fever spiked and his lymph nodes grew to almost the size of baseballs. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Fortunately there was a doctor on staff at the Children’s Hospital who specialized in immune disorders, and he quickly ordered tests which confirmed that Donavan was suffering from a rare immune disorder called Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (or HLH).

HLH occurs mostly in infants and children, but occurs in only about 1.2 per million people. This is truly a devastating disease. We were told that had Donavan not been diagnosed when he was, he would have died. The disease had affected almost all of his internal organs. He had almost no immune system, he was basically an “open wound”.

The only effective treatment for HLH is a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately Donavan would have to achieve some level of good health before they could perform a transplant and because of his compromised immune system, he was constantly sick. By Februray 2009 he was battling frequent pneumonia, countless infections and finally Cancer. He was on high doses of steroids, and intensive chemotherapy. He was in the hospital most of the time, and could not attend school or be around other children.

Finally, on January 1, 2010 Donavan had his bone marrow transplant. After many close calls, and terrible side effects, in mid March it was determined that he had grafted and he was released from the hospital.
Donavan will continue to be closely monitored, throughout his life. He still requires weekly infusions and platelets, and spends about 3 days a week in clinic. He will not be able to attend school for 2 more years, and will have to wear a mask when out in public for the next year. But he is well on the road to recovery, and we are so thankful.

Throughout Donavan’s worst days, I leaned on my strong network of Nanny friends for their encouragement support and prayers. Many of these Nannies I knew only from INA and other Nanny organizations, but on many days these loving and nurturing women helped carry me along. There is never a crisis that comes up that I don’t feel that I can call on this incredible support system to reassure me. I am truly blessed to be a part of such a loving community.

Christy Ochs is the INA's 2007 Nanny of the Year. She is the founder of the Denver Area Nanny Association.

Thursday Table Talk: Thursday Additional Workshops at the INA Conference

Thursday Additional Workshops at the INA Conference
By: Alice Shaffer

The 25th Annual INA Conference is less than two months away! If you are still on the fence, you still have time to get in on the early bird conference fee (April 1) and take advantage of the awesome additional workshops offered on Thursday May 20, 2010 starting at 1:00pm. These workshops have a small additional cost to them. This includes an American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue Certificate, INA Credential Review and Exam, a New Agency workshop, and Newborn Care Specialist 201 class.

If you have have been interested in opening your nanny agency or just recently in the past two years opened your agency, you really would benefit from going to the New Agency workshop. I actually went back in 2003 at my first INA conference and absolutely loved every minute of the program and still remember a lot of the information given. It helped me decide on whether or not to open a nanny agency. Which I decided against at the time. After the Thursday workshops don't forget to join everyone at the Opening Reception at 6:30pm.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BASIC WATER RESCUE 3-YEAR CERTIFICATION
Thursday May 20, 2010 1:00-5:00pm
cost $40

This course is designed for participants who do not need to be trained as lifeguards, but who require certification in victim recognition and general first aid topics. The class includes an in-water skills session to practice basic water rescue techniques, designed to assist victims and keep them faceup until more help arrives. This course is excellent for camp counselors, child care providers, health and fitness facility employees, and others who are around water on a regular basis. Presented by Lia Brewer and Serena Jolley, American Red Cross Water Safety instructors.

To help ensure an enjoyable and successful experience:

• Dress comfortably. Bring a bathing suit, towel, and swim cap if your hair is longer than shoulder length. Goggles are optional.
• Please arrive on time, no admittance is permitted 15 minutes after the start of the class.
• All necessary course materials will be provided during class.
• Practice sessions can be physically demanding. If you have any questions about your ability to participate, consult with your Health Care Provider prior to the course.
• Bring a pen/pencil and reading glasses if necessary.

Course Certification

• Payment of the course fee is not a guarantee of certification.
• Basic Water Rescue certification is valid for three years.

To be eligible for course certification you must:

• Be present for the entire course. + Successfully complete all required skills.
• Pass a multiple choice written exam at 80% or better.

INA NANNY CREDENTIAL EXAM
Thursday May 20, 2010 2:30-5:30 pm
cost $40

Nannies who wish to take the INA Nanny Credential Exam must submit a completed INA Nanny Credential Exam application to the INA Membership Services Office prior to the May 1, 2010. Please contact Michelle LaRowe at admin@nanny.org for additional information. Attendees should bring a copy of “Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care” to this session. If you do not have a copy, you can purchase a copy during the conference registration process and it will be shipped to you prior to conference.

Newborn Care Specialist 201: A Day in the Life of a NCS

Thursday May 20, 2010 2:30-5:30 pm
cost $35

Join Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) Cortney Gibson and take an in-depth look at advanced newborn care, sleep training and what it truly takes to work as a NCS. Attendees will discuss the day-to-day reality of this career and tackle some common misconceptions. Learn how to take what you know about newborn care and apply it to real-life situations. Attendees should already have some newborn care experience and strong knowledge of the basics, as this is an advanced care workshop. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, so come prepared! Handouts will be provided along with hands-on demos and an informative visual presentation.

Ready, Set, Go! A Workshop for New Agencies
Thursday May 20,2010 2:30-5:30 pm
cost $35

Ready, Set, Go! is a must-attend session for those new to the nanny referral business or those considering opening a placement agency. Join agency owners and consultants Wendy Sachs and Sharon Graff-Radell to learn the nuts and bolts of starting a household staffing referral agency and discover what needs to be considered as a young agency in today’s market. This in-depth presentation will focus on financial considerations, marketing, recruiting, competition, and insightful business practices that pertain specifically to our industry.

This workshop will also feature:

• Background Checks 101 presented by Lynn Peterson of PFC Information Services, Inc.
• Legal Issues 101 presented by Bob King, Esq., of Legally Nanny®
• Payroll and Taxes 101 presented by Kathy Webb of HomeWork Solutions / 4NannyTaxes.co

Spotlight on......Individual Nanny Coaching At The INA Conference

Individual Nanny Coaching At The INA Conference
by Alice Shaffer

Have you ever just wanted 15 minutes with one of the professional nannies you have met online or at a conference? Well this year, INA has slated from 2:45-3:45 pm on Saturday May 21, 2010 your chance to have your 15 minutes with a Nanny Coach. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the various nannies who have various experiences and potentially some helpful advice for you. Don't forget to sign up for one to four of these Nanny Coach slots when you get to the INA Conference. We hope to meet you there!


Kellie Geres
Working with Divorced Families
Kellie Geres is a professional nanny / household manager with 21 years of experience and has spent the past 12 years working exclusively with divorced parents. She is the 1997 INA Nanny of the Year, former INA board member, current Association of D.C. Area Nannies (ADCAN) president and member of INA and NANC. She is one of the development members of Regarding Nannies. She blogs at All Things Nanny.

Becky Kavanagh
Professional Development / Marketing Yourself as a Professional
Becky Kavanagh is the 2006 INA Nanny of the Year and has over 20 years of professional nanny experience. She is past president of INA and in 1998 was awarded the prestigious Parents Magazine Child Care Award. Ms. Kavanagh is active in the nanny community and also serves on staff as a placement coordinator with Nannies from the Heartland, a Minnesota-based nanny placement agency. You can find her blog posts at Nannies from the Heartland.

Susan Lehman
Discipline Issues
Susan Lehman is a certified positive discipline associate and certified professional nanny. She has over 20 years of professional nanny experience and has dedicated her life to developing happy, secure and independent children. Ms. Lehman uses the tools and skills she learned at the Coaches Training Institute in San Rafael, California, to coach parents on every aspect of their child’s development and care. Her teaching style brings warmth, humor, comfort and enthusiasm to all her lectures and experiential workshops for parents, teachers, child care providers, and any groups who work with children or families.

MaryAnn X. Meddish
Multiples and Specialty Diets
MaryAnn X. Meddish is the 2009 INA Nanny of the Year and has over 20 years of professional nanny experience. She specializes in working with multiples and children who require special dietary considerations. You can find some of her articles on the INA Blog.

Glenda Propst
Leaving a Family
Glenda Propst has 25 years of professional nanny experience. She was the 1991 INA Nanny of the Year and has been with her current family for 16 years. Mrs. Propst specializes in helping nannies through the transition of leaving a family. She is is one of the development members of Regarding Nannies. She also blogs at Gentle Transitions

Angela Riggs
Traveling with Families
Angela Riggs has been working with child care providers, students, parents and families for over 20 years. She has researched and participated in extensive traveling experiences with children and has planned enriching learning opportunities for them by utilizing local community resources as well as creative resources when traveling abroad.

Alice Shaffer
Getting Started in a New Community
Alice Shaffer has been a professional nanny for the past 15 years and is one of the development members of Regarding Nannies. She is also known by her peers and through her blog as “The Financial Nanny”.

Spotlight on ... Lila Reyna, INA Conference Featured Speaker

The Myth of “Stranger Danger”

If you ask your child to describe the face of a “stranger” or “assailant,” chances are they will mentally sketch a scary and menacing person. They may even describe this person as suspicious and clothed in all black with dark beady eyes. Unfortunately, most people who prey on children behave and look quite the opposite. As a result, children are less likely to perceive them as a threat. In the eyes of a child, a complete stranger who strikes up a conversation quickly becomes someone that child “knows.” Keep in mind that most children are abused by someone they really do know, such as a family friend, relative, neighbor, or babysitter for example. Personal safety is not just about teaching children who or what to avoid but also includes positive rules so that children know how to keep themselves safe.

So what else can we do as parents to equip our kids with the proper tools against the bad person that might invade their life?

Talk about situations and explain what your rules are for their safety.

Have a red alert signal or password that let's your children know what to do in a possible dangerous situation.

Keep them involved in confidence building activities such as martial arts or self-defense workshops where they will learn, not only self-defense but also how to interact with others in a respectful and safe way.

Do your best to always know where they are and whom they are with.

Encourage them to tell a trusted adult if they have been approached by a stranger or by a known person that made them feel uncomfortable.

Telling children, “Don’t talk to strangers” is not only ineffective, it can actually put them at greater risk. Instead, teach your child how to recognize the specific lures used by predators and especially, to trust their instincts about people and situations. Learning to be assertive and aware of their own feelings and surroundings will arm children with tools that are much better able to protect themselves from violent crimes.

Lila Reyna
Action Awareness
Lila Reyna is a martial arts instructor of Kuk Sool Won and is currently testing for her third degree black belt. With martial arts expertise and training in the natural healing art of Psychosymmetrolysis®, Ms. Reyna trains the everyday seeker to be their own bodyguard. Ms. Reyna founded Action Awareness, a unique training that effectively heightens mental, physical, and spiritual receptiveness. Her energetic presentations are designed to help prevent harm inflicted by another, to increase internal awareness and to facilitate self-empowerment. Her book, “Quiet Mind, Warrior Spirit,” may be ordered at http://www.consciousselfdefense.com/.

Spotlight on ... Donna Shannon / Coyote Visions

Donna Shannon of Coyote Visions is a featured speaker at the upcoming 25th Annual INA Conference.

Ms. Shannon shares with us some insight on transformations ...

The first step in becoming is believing

Posted by admin . Published on 16 February 2010

Are you trying to change your career? Or even a more personal aspect of yourself? I have found that the first step is you have to believe it yourself before anyone else will.

I’ve seen this several times in private service, especially when I worked at the Starkey Institute. During their 8-week program, people from all different backgrounds worked towards becoming Household Managers. It’s not an easy transition. At some point in the course, it seemed like every student hit their wall – were they going to make the transition? Or was the leap too great?
When they began to really see themselves as Household Managers – not students, not job seekers, not former business owners – but a real HM’s, ready to serve their principals with honor and respect, that was when we knew they were going to make it in this demanding industry.

Sometimes the transformation took place after graduation. One graduate that we placed didn’t acheive her new HM job until several months after finishing the course. But the most impressive thing about her was the changes I saw at every stage. She was more polished at each interview. Her confidence increased after taking a housekeeping supervisors position, even though it looked like a step back. But she never gave up – and with each challenge, she believed in herself more.

It was a beautiful thing to watch, especially when we placed her in a Household Management position that was a near perfect match.

If you’re struggling with a career transformation yourself, keep at it. Believe that you can be what you strive to achieve. Fill in the necessary skills if need be. Use each setback as a chance to learn.

And be ready to soar when the right job presents itself.

Ms. Shannon is the author of Get a Job Without Going Crazy: A Practical Guide to Your Employment Search

Spotlight on .... Brooke Miller / INA Conference Speaker

The thing about making changes ....

This past weekend I lost my phone in my car. After having a friend call it and “shhh”…listen-for-it-to-vibrate-so-I-can-follow-the-sound-to-find-out-where-it-is…I figured it fell somewhere between the seat and the door.

So I reached my arm down to grab it…nothing. After wishing my arms were longer and my hands were bigger, I reached further. My fingers eventually made contact, barely. I moved and reached and stretched and extended—and finally got a hold of it. It’s almost embarrassing to describe the level of excitement I felt when I realized it just might be able to make this happen…

Then I wiggled. I wiggled my arm and hand and grip back and forth and tried to maintain my hold long enough to free the phone to safety in my hands. At one point, I had it…and then it dropped again, letting me know my only option was to get out of the car, move the seat, and grab it once and for all.

Why am I telling you about my weekend phone follies?

Read the entire article on Soapbox Therapy

Brooke Miller will be a featured speaker at the upcoming INA Conference in San Francisco. To learn more about Ms. Miller, visit Soapbox Therapy.

Thursday Table Talk: Black History IS American History

Black History IS American History
By: Myrna Alphonse

As a Haitian- American Nanny who has primarily worked with Caucasian families, I have always felt a special mission to actively teach them something about Black History. I come from a legacy of ancestors who were the first liberated people from colonialism thanks to the efforts of Toussaint Louverture. I was destined to share my rich heritage! From preschoolers to teens, I make fun interactive projects for us to carry on for the designated month of February. One of my favorite themes involves studying African American Inventors. You can pick one like George Washington Carver and learn about his contributions. Your charges can stretch their imagination to think outside the box and make up an invention of their own with a natural product. Just think how eco friendly their inventions could prove to be!

You could also choose an area of study like engineering or medicine and study the individuals who have made significant contributions to the field. The important point to remember is to follow your charges interests and you will capture their interest in a subject area. My former 6 year old charge was a reading enthusiast, so it was easy to rope him in with a challenge. I bet I can find more African American authors than you? So off he went, to seek some out and eventually read their unique tales. Have fun with it, and the possibilities are endless! I love playing, “I spy, an African American invention…” In fact, every year I learn something from my own charges research too. They love to teach us something that they know.

Some kids just aren’t into academic subjects but every kid loves a party! For the charge who loves to celebrate, invite them to make a birthday party for Dr. Martin Luther King. They can follow this simple recipe and make a cake that is worth bringing everyone together for a slice of this rewarding lesson. First separately prepare each cake batter in separate bowls according to package directions. Pour into a pan the yellow cake mix and add swirls of chocolate cake mix in with a toothpick. During their swirling prep, discuss Dr. Kings wish that children of all colors would work & play together. Let’s see what happens when they bake together. Put your cake in the oven and it will make a beautifully marbled cake. Allow the children to notice the beauty of their masterpiece. Frost & decorate with sprinkles-ENJOY!

Rainbow Cake

-One package of yellow cake mix (represents fair complexions)

-One package of chocolate cake mix (represents dark complexions)

-favorite frosting & rainbow sprinkles

For kids of all ages, emphasize that Black History IS American History with enough interesting fun facts to explore year round.

Helpful Links

www.african-americaninventors.org/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/inventors/

BlackVoices.com

inventors.about.com/od/blackinventors/a/black_inventors.htm

www.blackinventor.com/

www.littleafrica.com/resources/inventors.htm

www.blackinventors.org/

Myrna Alphonse is a career nanny/parent consultant of 19 years transitioning to the counseling field. She specializes in families in crisis by bringing calm to chaos. Myrna resides in Washington, DC.