We’ve compiled the most important safety tips of the summer to keep your lil’ ones safe and happy.

1) Always assign one parent or guardian to watch children actively and rotate if possible. This may seem like a no-brainer, but did you know that children can drown in under 2 inches of water? Drowning can happy anywhere with water; this means being absolutely vigilant when lil’ ones are anywhere near water and keeping your full attention on the children.

2) Ask children to go near water with a buddy. If something goes wrong, their buddy will be able to help or call for help to a nearby adult. This ensures that even if your gaze slips to your phone or the mosquito on your leg, your child will have someone else looking out for them.

3) Make sure your child feels comfortable around the water. Lil’ ones who know how to swim either from swim lessons are generally safer around the water. If your child is too young to learn to swim, make sure they are outfitted with the proper water safety equipment, such as floaties or a life vest, anytime they get near water (playing in a backyard with a pool, sitting on the sand at the beach, etc.).

4) Ensure the water (and child) is ready for swimming or playing before they get near water. Water that is too cold or rough can cause children to freeze up and have difficulty swimming. If you have a personal pool, consider getting a child-safe cover or fence to make sure they are not near the water when it is not ready or an adult is present. Children should have plenty of fluids to ensure they are not dehydrated and should let food digest; doing both of these helps prevent cramps mid-swim.

5) Have an emergency plan. Make sure children know where lifesaving devices are just in case and all adults should know the plan in the event of an emergency. CPR classes are always a good idea, but if you just need a quick refresher feel free to refer to Parents.com’s Guide.

Fun info fom the Red Cross book, Whale Tales

Water fun is always great during the summer; now you and your lil’ ones can enjoy it while knowing you are fully prepared to have a safe time! Splish Splash!

Lauren is a BFC (formerly LLD) babysitter and lover of the water. She grew up swimming and went on to become Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor certified! She currently works in-house as the Marketing & Social Media Consultant. 

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!

Girls:

1. Avery
2. Madeleine
3. Rosie
4. Olivia
5. Maggie
6. Brooke
7. Scarlett
8. Eva
9. Milly
10. Clementine
11. Hayden
12. Lily
13. Cece
14. Wilhelmina
15. Constantine
16. Evelyn
17. Helena
18. Bryn
19. Athena
20. Adelaide
21. Liliana
22. Nola
23. Elle
24. Quinn
25. Violet

Babysitter Ilana with a lil’ princess

Boys:

1. Anderson
2. Benjamin
3. Charlie
4. Gavin
5. Jeremy
6. Ryland
7. Noah
8. Elliott
9. Oliver
10. Wes
11. Fletcher
12. Blake
13. Riley
14. Royce
15. Phoenix
16. Maximilian
17. Henry
18. Peyton
19. Harlow
20. Presley
21. Liam
22. Eli
23. Cameron
24. Logan
25. Teddy

-Ivana has been babysitting since she was young and she’s a new addition to the LLD office team as well! Welcome Ivana! 

Now re-imagine Home Alone with a nanny. Yup. It doesn’t get past the first scene!

This year, we have some suggestions for using your nanny to her full potential during this travel season. Holidays are full of visits, vacations and family parties. A nanny can do a multitude of things to ease the stress of these trips, even if she is not going on the vacation with you. Here are just a few things your nanny may be able to help with:

• Pack children’s clothes. This includes helping with laundry leading up to the trip!
• Help to create an itinerary for the trip, based on what she does with the children every day. This can help maintain some continuity in their schedules and lives, even if they are not home and do not have their regular nanny with them.
• Bring children to their doctors for check-ups or to answer any questions about traveling in the weeks before your trip.
• Pick up any holiday gifts you were thinking about bringing with you on your trip.
• Drive the family to the airport, saving money on a costly parking pass or car to the airport.
• Create, purchase, or find fun activities for children to complete in a car or on the plane. Never underestimate the power of a child who’s engrossed in an activity instead of pulling on your sleeve for a couple of hours.
• Prepare the car for a long road trip (fill with gas, bring it in for maintenance, pack it with snacks and drinks).
• Gather children’s passports and take them to renew them if necessary.
• Pick up the children from school while you prepare last minute details
• Prepare a meal in advance. By having the meal before you leave already prepared from earlier in the week, your nanny can help you get out the door faster without worrying about stopping for food as well. You might also consider having your nanny pack you a meal if you will be in the car or have enough time to eat at the airport.

Now, depending on the agreement or contract you have with your nanny, some of these things may not be included. However, if your nanny does not feel something is in her normal duties, it is worth it to pay a little extra to have someone you depend on help you to make your trip as smooth as possible. Have any other ideas for how nannies can help? Comment down below! We’d love to hear from you.

Hold the cheese, please
The command “say cheese!” has been used to invoke smiles since at least the 1940s. While it generally succeeds in getting the mouth formation into a smile, if the eyes aren’t matching a grin then the result is often closer to a terrifying zombie face (something to keep in mind for Halloween). Try conjuring up laughter instead of smiles on command – singing ridiculous songs, making animal noises (I’m working on mastering a seal bark), or telling jokes.

The little details of life
Pay attention to all the tiny details that are making up the whole scene you want to capture. Maybe you want to remember your son’s beautiful curls, your daughter’s tight fist around her favorite blanket, or your children’s hands intertwined as they sit together. Come in close and capture fractions of the entire setting.

Up, down, over, under
Think of different vantage points to photograph your children from instead of staying seated with them. Lay on the ground to be eye level with a baby, climb up on a chair to tower above a toddler, or hang out under a chair and have your child peek out from above you.

Glorious lighting
Soft, even lighting will generally be the easiest to photograph in and will help to produce the most pleasing results. If you’re outdoors, look for open shade (shade caused by large objects such as trees or buildings where a large light source – generally the sun – is still illuminating the area). Indoors, try to move your child close to and facing a window. Having your subject in direct sun will usually cause squinting or shielding eyes, and harsh shadows. You can also try filling in some of the shadows by bouncing a little more light back on to your subject. Anything white will work if you bring it close to the face: poster board, a blanket, or a large piece of paper. This is usually easiest if you have someone else there to hold it while you take the photo.

Most important: have fun!

-Emily Dewan is a Photographer based in NYC. She specializes in glimpses of life of families with their children and pets. She loves barking like a seal to get children to laugh. Find out more on her website, blog, Facebook page, or Twitter feed. 

1. Pack foods that are no-fuss and don’t need to be refrigerated for a basket not weighed down by ice or coolers

-bread, peanut butter, & jelly

- pita or corn chips

- Cut up veggies

- Trailmix

-Pasta salad (replace mayo with balsamic dressing)

-Banana bread or corn bread

- Popcorn

2. If you really need refrigeration, freeze a water bottle or two overnight. This will double as an icepack, and your hydration when it thaws later in the day.

3. Try bringing a folded up shower curtain instead of a blanket to lay on. This will save space and will keep you dry in case of wet grass!

4. Bring a frisbee, football, or jumprope for your lil’ ones. This will keep them occupied for hours, while saving space in your picnic bag.

5. Lastly, pick a location to picnic with easy access to a bathroom. Public parks and campgrounds almost always have spots closer to the bathroom upon request or a quick google map search. Save yourself the trouble of hauling lil’ ones halfway around the world to the loo and just park yourselves near all the amenities you could need.

Hope these tips and tricks help you and your family have a relaxing weekend!

Preparing for your trip:

• It is important that your children are prepared for your trip physically and mentally. Make sure children know the vacation itinerary, how they are getting there, how to behave in the airport,  plane, train or bus terminal, or car and an emergency plan in case they get separated from you in transit.
• Get them excited for this adventure by enthusiastically introducing them to your vacation spot and method of traveling through photos, books, bedtime stories, and maps. Physically prepare them by stopping by the pediatrician for a check-up and verification that all vaccines are current before departing. If you are anxious about traveling with your child, talk to your pediatrician about your concerns.
• If your family is flying, be sure to read up on your airline and airport prior to departure. Some airlines, such as JetBlue, offer pre-boarding for families with small children, making settling in for your trip easier. Familiarize yourself with the airport and TSA guidelines while packing in order to avoid any confusion, frustration, or delays in your trip. Look into creative luggage options for kids such as the “trunki,” a carry-on sized suitcase that your child can sit on and be wheeled through the airport (great for tired or cranky children!).

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile this summer, stay safe & have fun!

The Day of:

• With your introduction to the travel itinerary, emergency plan, and exciting adventures that await, your child should be eager for your vacation.
• If your flight or train or bus is early, pack breakfast—this will allow them to wake up later, and give them something to do while waiting to leave.
• On that note, make sure to wake children (and adults) up early enough to get dressed and out the door. Don’t cut it close—arrive at the airport or terminal at the recommended time or earlier to ensure you have plenty of time to make it through security with your rugrats as well as leisurely make it to the gate with all of your cargo.
• Dress yourself and your children in comfy clothes, and most importantly, shoes!

Bottom Line:
Travel doesn’t have to be frustrating! Prepare in advance, get excited, and just relax. Even if you have a long day of travel, just remember all of the relaxing days of vacation ahead! Bon voyage!

As a professional photographer, I love taking pictures at children’s birthday parties & events where the energy and excitement is contagious! Pictures from these events are cherished by families for years to come. Parents are often so caught up in planning and running the event, that they forget to pick up their camera, or they might not trust their own photography skills to capture the fun of the day. If you’re interested in taking event photography into your own hands, read below for some quick tips on how to perfect your party pictures.

• Photography tips

Great photography starts with nice, even lighting. Pick an event location that gets soft natural light, and you’re one step in the right direction! Take numerous shots, and edit them down later. If you take a ton, you’re bound to find a gem! Remember to take plenty of candid shots, in addition to the standard group ‘staged’ pictures. Have your camera ready at all times – often the best shots are unplanned. Most of all, be silly and have fun with the kids…it is a party, after all!

Sometimes, it’s okay to play with your food!

• Fun theme & prop ideas that photograph well

For older kids, consider a DIY photo booth with fun silly props, and a background made out of colorful fabric. This is a great way for boys & girls to act silly, and ham it up for the camera.  You’ll be able to capture a shot of everyone who attends the event.  As an added bonus, you can send the pictures out with thank you cards after the party.

How about a dessert-station at your event? Colored candy varieties displayed in vases, bowls, and cake plates are as fun to look at, and photograph, as they are to devour.  Any time you have cupcakes and lollipops, you’re bound to get some sweet shots of the kiddos. What child’s eyes don’t light up when they see a delicious treat coming their way?  Get the camera ready for some frosting covered fingers and smiles.

No one can resist smiling with a cupcake in hand!

Be mindful of what will be in the background of during major party photo ops like cake cutting and present opening. A bunch of balloons of one color tied together acts as a lovely and portable backdrop. Use the balloon backdrop to block messy areas so that your photos focus on the children, and not the (unfortunate, but realistic) party clutter in the background. Remember to photograph detailed shots of the decorations and food presentation before the guests arrive.

• Getting the kids to smile

Sometimes the best shots are when a child isn’t looking at the camera. Perhaps they are blowing bubbles, or concentrating on opening a present. When photography isn’t forced, the end result is unique and beautiful. Often times, using the words ‘say cheese’ will backfire by causing a child to shy away from the camera, or by producing a face scrunched toothy grin (which is super adorable, but we do want to see their faces!). For posed shots, ask children to look for the ‘bug’ or ‘fairy’ inside your lens. This creates a fun game that will get little ones to look toward the camera.

Saying “cheese” isn’t always the most effective way to get a lil’ one to smile

Hopefully these tips help you at your child’s next birthday party or event!  If you decide that you’d like to hire a photographer for the occasion, remember this advice – the photographer is there to get the feel of the event and to capture moments as they unfold. Let them focus on their job, so you can enjoy the event with your children. Have a list of ‘must have shots’ for your photographer, and discuss with them at the initial consultation. Do your research to find a well reviewed photographer in your area and then trust them to do a great job. You have better things to think about, like celebrating your little one’s big day!

 -Bethany Kruska is a Brooklyn based natural light photographer and owner of Shutter Happy NYC. Bethany is available for portraits, engagement sessions, weddings, birthday parties, personalized NYC photo tours, and any other fun event you have in mind!

But Not The Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton is not only my favorite kids book, it might be my favorite book in life.- Laura

The Napping House by Audrey Wood and Don Wood was my absolute favorite book when I was a kid! I would read it over and over again. The illustrations were like candy to me! Such soft colors and beautiful fluid lines. Plus the story was so much fun to follow. Even when I had it memorized, I would still laugh when each new character came into the room!- Mary

Pomelo Begins to Grow by Ramona Badescu and illustrated by Benjamin Chaud. Gorgeous illustrations and a wonderful, fun story about a little pink elephant learning about the big world outside his garden.- Shea

I Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw. I love this book because my mom used to read it to me as a child and it is so sweet- Lindsay

Even the really lil’ ones like a good book!

Reading is such an important part of mental, emotional, and educational development for kids, and is a great entertainment alternative to turning on the television after school. LLD sitters use reading as a way of exploring a child’s imagination and creativity and love sharing our favorites with the lil’ ones hoping they become their new favorites too! Our sitters find that after reading, the kids want to act out parts of the book, create their own adventures, or even write their own stories. It’s amazing to see how reading can spark an interest in so many creative ways.

Share your favorites with us!

Check out Phoenix’s Baby Book Club for an extended list of LLD’s favorite bedtime books!

-Alison