How to Get your Child to Say "Yes, I Can, and I Will"

A great new book on raising a child: "How to Get Your Child to Say, Yes! I Can! & I Will!" by Lesa Day.

In just 10 days create a nurturing structure in your home that will guide your child to become a responsible, respectful individual.

Have you ever thought to yourself:
Do I know the top values I want to teach my child?
Is my communication proactive or reactive?
What legacy am I leaving behind?
What character traits do I want my child to have?

Lesa shows you how to put a system together in 10 days or less to nurture your child. She describes specific techniques you can use daily with the 5 1/2 C's and you're on your way to giving guidance to you child to succeed in their daily growth.

For links to her website regarding the book go to http://www.yesIcanandIwill.com

Wages: Nannies, Housekeepers, Babysitters

With the flood of unemployed workers, many nannies, housekeepers and babysitters are losing their jobs and finding it difficult to stay afloat. There was a time when they were adamant about making certain wages, but now ready to negotiate. So how how much should you offer your Nanny and Housekeeper? Nannies in Los Angeles are getting anywhere from $12-$25/hr. Wages vary depending on factors such as: driving, communication skills, child development education, years of experience on the job, quality of reference checks, availability for travel in/outside of US, number of children they are watching and ages. Infant care is more specialized and pays more. Housekeepers on the other hand are paid $15-$25/hr depending on size and quality of house, if laundry/ironing is required, and whether they are full charge (needing driving and cooking) or whether they are day cleaners. Most day cleaners charge $15/hr. Wages beginning at $15/hr are usually net of taxes whereas anything higher may be considered a gross wage. It is always important to check with EDD "Employment Development Department" to see whether you qualify for payroll taxes depending on how much an household employer is paying per calendar quarter. Payroll taxes are suggested when required as it protects both the employer and employee. Always be sure to have worker's compensation insurance or some form of protective insurance in the event of injury on the job. http://www.martaperrone.com

No Yelling, No Crying, No Walking off the Job

A full charge nanny and housekeeper called late Friday night in tears. Her boss had come home in a mad rush eager to get ready for dinner guests that evening. As she drove into the garage, she ran over a toy that was left inadvertently by her child and not picked up by the housekeeper. The employer was naturally upset. She didn't want to have to deal with this when she was already under pressure to get ready for the evening plans. She reacted emotionally and raised her voice; at which point, the employee also responded emotionally, began to cry and walked out 30 minutes prior to her scheduled departure from work. All of this was inappropriate on everyone's part. The toys should not be left in the middle of the garage. First of all, children should be trained to put their toys back. In this case, the child was old enough to know better. The nanny should have been vigilant in checking that the child had followed through. If the child hadn't, then the nanny's role is to ask the child to put the toys to one side, explaining that when mommy gets home and pulls her car in the garage, if the toys are not put away, she might run over them.

Here is more about how everyone was at fault: the mother yelled because she was frustrated, maybe had a bad day, maybe just because she was under pressure about the evening and getting ready for it. Raising your voice at anyone, especially employees wears thin. No one likes it, and eventually, no one will tolerate it. Everything between employees and employers must be handled in a civil manner - it becomes a "conversation". Secondly, the employee was completely unprofessional in turning to tears and leaving the job 30 minutes early. This is an employee/employer relationship, not one that you have with a boyfriend or husband. Tears are inappropriate. If an employee is not happy about her employer's conduct, then this is a "conversation" and should not be an emotional one. When you bring emotion into the equation, you risk elevating the problem and losing sight of how to solve it.

Problems can be solved only by a "conversation" where both parties are understanding of everyone's position and needs and seek to find a solution.

Good Housekeeping: Spot on Advice for Removing Summer Stains

Summertime means many stains that come with fun like barbecues, picnics and sunning at the beach. Here is some advice provided by Good Housekeeping for the following stains:

Grass stains: take a little of liquid laundry detergent with enzymes and rub into the stain, let it sit 5 minutes, then launder using the bleach (chlorine or oxygen) and very hot water.

Mustard/Ketchup: for Mustard,dip paper towel in cold water and BLOT (don't rub) the stain, use a dab of glycerin and work it into the stain. For Ketchup, flush the stain from the back side of the fabric with cold water. Next, for both apply liquid detergent to the front of the stain and use a toothbrush. Add more detergent as needed and then machine wash.

Fresh Berry stains: immediately sponge the spot with cool water and then later stretch the stained cloth over a bowel or pot in the sink. Hold a kettle of boiling water above the fabric and pour it over the stain (12 inches above). If it doesn't come out, use rubbing alcohol before tossing into the machine.

Sunscreen streaks: apply aerosol-spray stain remover like Shout or Afta.

Think about bringing an on-the-go stain remover pen (Max Force Gel Stick - new from OxiClean)or wipe in case a food stain should occur. Never let a stain linger on the garment in a hamper for days. Treat it as soon as possible and toss into machine.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Will the New Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights be Enforced?

The first state to recognize the workplace rights of nannies is New York. They will get temporary nanny disability benefits, nanny unemployment insurance, one day off per week and the biggest thing is "overtime". It is quite an achievement for the nannies since they usually get the bum rap. It will be very important that the message gets out to the domestic workers that these new rights exist. They will also need to educate the employers to uphold these rights so that they are enforced. Often, even with laws in place, domestic employees are faced with domestic employers who refuse to abide, leaving employees the choice of taking the job, or not. It is up to both parties to uphold the law that protects us all.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Nap Nanny Recliners Recalled

Nap Nanny, a portable baby recliners has been recalled voluntarily by its company, Baby Matters due to an infant death. The 4-month old girl from Royal Oak, Michigan died in Nap Nanny that was put into the crib because she was caught between the recliner and the crib bumper. In addition to the death, the infant was trapped between the recliner and the side of the crib. How is it possible that these products get produced and pass inspection? This recliner was marketed to improve sleep, comfort and for medical conditions, including flu.Looking at this Nap Recliner, it seems obvious that this could pose a dangerous problem. If parents happen to own one of these, Nannies, Babysitters and Housekeepers should also recognize what may be hazardous and make the necessary recommendations.

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Nanny & Housekeepers: Tips to Find Work

In this economy, you cannot rely on one resource to find work and must be proactive. You must be able to use all the ways possible. But first, you must have a portfolio ready. Here are some tips:
1) Get a resume together with your most recent job history first and make sure it is updated within the last 6 months.
2) Gather all your letters of reference and call your reference numbers to be sure they are still reachable. Find email addresses for them as well, so that your prospective employer can communicate quickly with your former employer.
3) If you are caring for children, be sure to have your TB and Hepatitis testing completed.
4) Get a criminal check on yourself in the city or cities where you have lived in the past 7 years and have it available in case you are offered a position.
5) Be sure to be CPR certified and have it renewed if expired.
6) Gather any course completion certificates or certifications in child care, or The Professional Housekeeper course.
7) Put together a nice cover letter explaining your work objectives to indicate to an employer the kind of work you seek and your intentions and goals.
8) Have the "perfect" interviewing outfit ready, clean and pressed in your closet so that you can put it on at a moment's notice for any last minute interview calls.
9) Make a list of agencies, job listing services, newspapers, neighbors, former employers and reach out to all of them. Send out resumes to agencies. Subscribe to job listing services and respond to posted jobs and post your resume. Respond to newspaper ads seeking help. Call friends, neighbors and former employers asking their help in getting you work.
10) Be positive, proactive and persistent!!!

http://www.theprofessionalhousekeeper.com
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