New York Nanny Center » Babysitting

Spring Break Fun!

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 18:48:42 +0000

Spring break is a much anticipated time in school…. and can be a stressful week for parents having their kiddies home for an entire week! Especially when it is colder out, it may be hard to find activities to do; Luckily, we have a great idea for each day of break!

Day 1) Mini food tour adventure: NYC is full of great spots. Take one morning morning to go sample hot chocolate all over the village, or decide who has the best waffles in Manhattan. If kids are picky, have them make a list of their favorite places and splurge by adventuring to a few of them in one day. (*Note* the best part of this adventure is some full, happy, and worn out kiddies by time you get home. Naptime, anyone?).

Day 2) Craft Day: St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and that means green everything! Make sure to cover your work space with newspaper in case of spills or accidents. We love:

Construction paper rainbows. Directions: attach rainbow paper to a “cloud” made of cotton or cut out of white paper.
Pots of gold. Directions: terra cotta flower pots can be painted on and filled with chocolate that looks like gold coins.
Try-on leprechaun mask mirrors. Directions found here.
Green garlands to decorate. Directions: cut strips of green paper, roll and stapling into a circle, repeat to make a chain.
Shamrock decorations. Directions: cut out of construction paper or just colored onto regular paper.
Dye Easter Eggs. Directions: Hard boil a dozen eggs, purchase a dye kit, dip eggs into colors as desired.
Make an Easter Bunny. Directions: cut out two almond shaped white pieces and have lil’ ones color the inside pink leaving an inch or so border. Staple or glue these on to a paper plate. Attach two googley eyes. Use a foam shape or color in a nose. For whiskers, take pipe cleaners cut in half and glue them coming out from the nose.

Day 3) Museum Hopping: Luckily, NYC has plenty of fun museums to take lil’ ones to. Check out this great guide of museums for kids based on how old they are. Most museums let lil’ ones in for free or deeply discounted rates, making this fun and affordable!

Day 4) Spring Cleaning: This may not be the most fun activity on the list, but it’s sure to keep lil’ ones occupied. Take a day out of the week and have lil’ ones clean out their room or pick one chore to help with around the house. Getting lil’ ones in the habit of helping clean will help you and them in the long run! This is also an opportunity to share stories, memories, and crafts that turn up (and scrapbook them if you’re into that). If lil’ ones are looking for change rearrange the furniture in their room or add a new decoration as a reward for a job well done.

Day 5) Playdates: One of the best resources moms have is other moms! Get together with a few friends and have a playdate party. Keep lil’ ones entertained with Wii games, puzzles, a dance party/contest, homemade pizza making, or movies while having the chance to chat with other adults.

Day 6) Scavenger Hunt: This one can take as much or little planning as needed. Kids (supervised by an adult) can find things throughout the city, or can stay inside the home and find things. Scavenger hunts can also include mundane things such as “eating lunch” or “checking the mail” as well as wacky and ridiculous like “do a headstand and take a picture” or “find someone wearing a pink hat.”

Day 7) Relax: With school the next day, take this day to unwind. Pop some easy homemade cinnamon buns in the oven with lil’ ones, put your feet up, and enjoy a movie. Finish up any homework, pick out outfits for the next day, catch up on some reading and enjoy family dinner.

Our enthusiastic sitters are always happy to help out and take kids on adventures all over the city or help entertain them in the home! Enjoy break!

-Lauren has been babysitting for years and works in-house at LLD. Her favorite part of spring break is curling up with a book, hot chocolate, and fuzzy slippers!

Back to the Babies

Lindsay Bell — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 19:15:31 +0000

With all the adult plans and excitements, I can’t forget to mention spending time with the grandbabies! At eleven months they are the most fun. They walk around objects holding on for dear life, squeezing through nooks and crannies all the while watching to see if you were going to chase after them. Crawling around at Olympic speed, moving heavy objects with a single push, waving, hugs and climbing like monkeys on everything and anything they shouldn’t have, have been added to their repertoire. And I almost forgot their dance moves to the counting song that my husband now hums from listening to it so often. Although all these changes are fun and amazing to watch I don’t want to forget almost one year ago cuddling the most beautiful and helpless newborns.

Mama Bell

Global Sitters come to NYC

Lindsay Bell — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 17:18:36 +0000

Two of LLD’s current sitters were Au Pairs in Germany for the same family of four kids, one year after the other. The best souvenir they brought home- was one of the lil’ blondies for a week! The girls each interviewed with LLD to be sitters soon after their German babies flew back home, and it was so fun hearing about their adventures with the kids in New York.

Our LLD Au Pairs with their lil’ darling from abroad

LLD sitters love when a family from out of town is staying at a hotel in NYC and request a babysitter for the day to take the kids around. In the past, some of LLD sitters’ favorite activities to do with traveling tots were taking them to the Museum of Natural History and Children’s Museum of Manhattan, to the Central Park Zoo, Dylan’s Candy Bar, touristy boat ride, or a day at Hudson River Park Playground and a walk along the water after to see all of the boats.

We asked the two former Au Pairs for a couple of pictures and blurbs about what they did during their weeks with their lil’ ones. Here’s a peak:

The on an adventure in Union Square Park Playground (right after build-a-bear, of course)!

Digging for dinosaur bones at the Museum of Natural History (right after his first New York Pretzel)!

They also took their tots to a football game, baseball game, and the beach. The girls said it was nearly impossible saying goodbye after those fun-filled weeks, and they look forward to having similar adventures with LLD families and kids in NYC this year.

For more information on LLD’s hotel services, click here.

-Shannon is our in-house Nanny Placement Coordinator, a former Au Pair, a lover of all adventures and traveling, and a current LLD sitter.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar

Lindsay Bell — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:28:00 +0000

WANTED: LOVING NANNIES!

Recipe for your perfect nanny! Lucky Lil’ Darlings has acquired New York Nanny Center (NYNC) and is pleased to be offering the service of nanny placements… now you too can have a Mary Poppins!

Ingredients needed:

1 cup of responsibility

3/4 cup each of love and care

2/3 cup intelligence

1/2 cup creativity

1/2of understanding

1/3 cup patience

1/4 cup honesty

1T energy

1T creativity

1/2 T fun

add a dash of flexibility

Directions:
Make your ideal nanny. Collect all the ingredients and mix together in recipe order. Knead gently until desired shape forms. Serve with the perfect family, one filled with love, friendship, kindness and generosity.

Enjoy!

If you are in need of that perfect nanny for your family contact NYNC @ nynanny.com or 212.265.3354

-Mama Bell, mother of 5 and lover of nannies

The Bell Family Nanny

Alison Gore — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 22:18:51 +0000

When I went back to work after having my last baby there was a big problem. I had five kids, one going to part time kindergarten, and no babysitter or nanny. So I enlisted the help of a newspaper, friends and family to help with the search. Unfortunately, I did not find anyone I felt comfortable leaving with my five prized possessions. It was just a few weeks from school starting and to say I was nervous was an understatement. I had visions of taking family leave for a year which would of been financial disaster.

Well, the answer to my problem came from my mother-in-law’s suggestion. She knew of a woman who had grown up in her old neighborhood that was married with three of her own grown kids who might be interested. I learned later that she was also the parent of one of my favorite students. Small world. After a phone call, interview and sigh of relief she was hired. I really liked her. She was prompt, responsible, caring, helpful, capable of handling five kids,and seemed to genuinely like them. Five years later, after the last baby went off to school, she left our home, but never our hearts.Like had turned to love over the years and she became part of the family as we became part of hers.

-Mama Bell, mother of five, lover of nannies, and brand new addition to the LLD in-house team!

Quick Swim Tips for a Safe Summer

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:13:29 +0000

Swimming has always been a popular summer activity. However, it is also a dangerous one. According to Parents Magazine, drownings are still the leading cause of accidental death for kids ages 1 to 4, so you can’t be too vigilant when it comes to water safety. There a few recommendations we have to help make your summer safe and fun.

1. If your child is going to be around water this summer, consider enrolling in lessons. Swimming lessons for the child and water safety classes for you will help ensure everyone is comfortable around water and will know what to do in case of an emergency. The American Red Cross offers many courses from ages 6 months and up that can be found here

Always keep your eye on the lil’ ones

2. Always be present. Don’t let your child go swimming without you or a lifeguard present. Teach children to always ask permission to be near the water. Unauthorized access to a bathtub, pool, hot tub, lake, ocean, or kiddie pool is all the same. Make sure they know they need an adult.

3. Pay attention. This one may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes it’s easy to get distracted. Make sure when your child is in the water you are watching them at all times.

4. Wear a life jacket. If you’re going to be on a boat, dock, or body of water without a lifeguard, wearing a life jacket can help protect a child from harm, but should not be totally relied on for a child’s safety.

5. Be cautious. Even if you are not planning on swimming, be careful around all bodies of water as there is always a chance of slipping in by accident. Cold temperatures, undercurrents, or other hazards can make these bodies of water extremely dangerous to fall in to.

6. Be a responsible guardian. Avoid alcohol use when supervising children. If there are many adults together at the same time, take turns watching stepping away from the gathering and watching the children in the water. Remain alert and awake at all times if you are on watch duty.

7. Last but not least, have a plan for an emergency. Equip your home with the appropriate lifesaving devices such as reaching or throwing equipment, life jackets, and first aid kids. If a child is missing, always check the water first. Call 9-1-1 immediately if necessary.

If you would like to read more about summer water safety, the Red Cross website has many fact sheets, tips, and information available. Following these easy tips will ensure your child’s safety around water. So go ahead, splash away this summer!

-Intern & swimmer extraordinaire Lauren

Best Burping Methods

Alison Gore — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:39:04 +0000

Dear Ask-A-Sitter,

What are the best burping techniques? I have heard so many. I just want to communicate the best one to my sitter when I leave her with my infant. What do you recommend?

-Tooty Twins

Dear Tooty Twins,

Yes that is true, everyone seems to have their own method, which makes sense because every baby is different. What works for your lil’ one may not work for another. Try out a few different positions & see which one seems to mesh with your infant the best. Sometimes I also find switching from one burping position to to the other helps the baby release gas. Here are my top 3 burping positions that seem to work best with an infant:

Hold your baby with their chin near your shoulder, support the baby with one hand and gently pat/rub their back with the other to sooth them while allowing their body to stretch out
Sit your baby on your lap with one hand supporting their chin and pat/rub their back
Lay your baby at a slight angle (with their head higher then their chest) on your lap facing you, rub their belly to sooth them while they stretch out their body. I use this method as a last resort after trying the first two above

Right after burping. The twins are as happy as can be.

Remember to support your lil’ ones head and pat/rub gently. Your baby doesn’t always need to be burped, if he or she seems happy, they’re probably comfortable. And don’t forget to use a burp cloth regardless of the method you choose.

-LB

To Swaddle, or Not To Swaddle

Alison Gore — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:56:03 +0000

With two new nieces, my mind has been completely taken over by all things BABY.

One thing in particular that I have been obsessed with is swaddling. The twins were literally taken from the womb & placed immediately into a swaddle.

Here is what a swaddle looks like.

This simple technique mastered by many hospitals to comfort a newborns is preached to new moms as they take their lil’ ones home & boy does it work. The twins stay nestled in a swaddle all day & night. They are completely at ease. It’s when they are taken out of the swaddle for one of their many changes that it gets loud.

Swaddling is quick & easy. Most swaddle blankets even include instruction. Check out these photos to show you how to properly swaddle a baby.

Why swaddle?

Keeps baby cozy and mimics the womb
Helps reduce nighttime scratching
Helps regulate baby’s temperature until that fully develops
Can soothe an overstimulated lil’ one

This technique definitely isn’t a one-size fits all solution for helping a lil’ one sleep, but it sure works on my twin nieces & was highly recommended by the nursing staff at Mount Sinai.

-LB aka Aunt Linny

Diaper Diaries Week # 2

Lindsay Bell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:14:21 +0000

Oh, those sleepless nights as I sit here writing this with heavy eyelids.My days are filled with diaper changes,every three hours feedings,swaddling, bathing, all those innate behaviors that have come back with a vengeance.The inside of my daughter’s house is a cross between a florist and Babies R Us. I’ve definitely been getting my exercise waiting on everyone, but that’s okay, it’s nice being needed. It’s also fun listening to my daughter and son in law trying to figure all this out.

My grand babies bundled up for their first doctors visit.

Until next week,

Second hand of eyes, ears and hands

-Mama Bell

How to Find a Sitter for your Newborn

Alison Gore — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:11:53 +0000

Dear #AskaLLDSitter,

As a new mom, I’m wondering what type of questions I should ask my potential new sitter. Do you have any suggestions or a checklist for effective methods of interviewing new sitters to ensure I find the best fit for my family and newborn? What are your top must-ask questions?

Best,

Question Block Mom

Dear Question Block Mom,

This is a great question! Even when you are using a babysitting service like LLD which performs background checks, reference checks, and in-person interviews, as a new mom you want to perform your own personal interview before you hire a new sitter. Firstly, you want to make sure you and your sitter click and that he or she will make a great addition to your family. Secondly, every family has a different philosophy regarding childrearing, so you want to individually talk with a sitter to make sure he or she is on the same page as you and your family. LLD does the initial vetting process and suggests only the best in childcare, but as a new mom you want to be comfortable with your new sitter. So if you are conducting your interview with an LLD sitter in person, over the phone, or via Skype these are my go-to tips on conducting an authentic and meaningful interview.

First and foremost: Trust your gut!!! If an answer to a question does not feel right to you, or if you immediately click with a sitter and feel comfortable, trust that initial reaction. One interview technique I have used is asking fill-in-the-blank questions. For example, ask the sitter to complete sentences like: “Children are _____,” these kinds of questions give you a chance to really see what a sitter thinks.
Make sure to ask about his/her personal philosophy about raising children, discipline as well as past experience with siting for children of all ages. Even though some questions might not exactly pertain to caring for a newborn, they are still vital for understanding a potential sitter’s overall childcare philosophy.
Ask a scenario question. I tend to ask sitters what they would do in a variety of both emergency and daily situations to see their level of preparedness in dealing with a newborn.
Is the sitter CPR trained for infants? If not, would he/she be willing to receive the necessary training before beginning work?
I highly recommend asking about the vaccines a sitter has. When dealing with infants, it’s important for a sitter to have the flu shot and pertussis booster.
Finally, I recommend starting your search for a sitter early to reduce stress! Give yourself ample time to interview candidates, get to know him/her & find the best fit for your family!

As always thank you so much for your amazing questions and we hope to see you hear same time next week on

#AskaLLDSitter from LLD and Renee Pena.

-Renee is a lifelong learner of parent’s education,creativity, special needs and early childhood. She is addicted to Pinterest, organizing, and the color purple. She is honored to be a guest blog for LLD as their go to sitter expert via #AskaLLDSitter. Renee is currently working on an upcoming blog on education, you may follow her launch and tips on Reneepedia. You can also chat with her via twitter at @enrichingkids.