Article from www.mominventors.com

One of the things I love about the Mom Invented Community is hearing from Moms around the globe. It confirms that Moms worldwide are creative, innovative and coming up with great solutions to everyday problems. Julie Kemsley is from South Africa and has created The Nanny Notebookto help parents communicate better with their babysitters, nannies or family members who help us raise our kids! Please read more to hear how she brought her product to market.

Mom Invented: Why did you start this company? Julie: I first started working on The Nanny Notebook when I was faced with returning to work when Thomas was 6 months old. When I couldn’t find a nursery (pre-school) in my neighborhood that I was comfortable with, I decided to employ a nanny to care for Thomas in his own home. I wanted to create a means of easing the repetitive conversation I was having with Tom’s nanny every day. The answers to questions such as “when last did you give him a bottle” or “when last did he nap and how long for” were essential to know, but repetitive to have to ask. It was also difficult for her to remember all the details and timings.

I also wanted to create a product that would put mom’s more at ease by including essential first aid and emergency contact information, and having everything stored together in one place.

Mom Invented: Tell us about you & your family. Julie: My husband Marc and I were high school sweethearts and have been married for four years. We have one son, Thomas, who is eighteen months old and growing up far too quickly!

Mom Invented: What was your ‘aha’ moment when it came to starting your business?

Julie: Meeting my graphic designer and turning everything I had brainstormed on paper and made it into something brilliant and tangible that I could take to a printer, and ultimately to the market.

Mom Invented: What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

Julie: After the graphic design had been completed, and the printing company selected, I requested a mock up of the book. A mock up is a completely blank (white paper) simulation of your end product. It gives you a great idea of the final look and feel of the product and allows you to make any final decisions or changes with regards to paper type, weight and quality. Once you have finalized the material for your book, you can request a proof – which is a full color print out of your book (often printed digitally) and finished by hand. Finally, color proofs from the lithographic printers enable you to see exactly what the end product is going to look like, giving you the opportunity to make any changes to the colors in the digital version of the book.

Mom Invented: How did you determine your product’s marketability (is there a need, would people buy it)? Julie: I did a lot of online research, as well as investigating what was currently offered to parents worldwide. When I realized that there was nothing available to parents in South Africa, I leaped at the opportunity to create something special that would hopefully ease a few people’s lives and turn into a keepsake they could treasure forever.

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The Nanny Notebook is a sponsor of our National Nanny Training Day. To purchase The Nanny Notebook visit: http://www.thenannynotebook.com

First Class Care, Inc. is SUPER excited for our latest donation to the National Nanny Training Day! me4kidz has donated a medi buddy kit for ALL THE GOODIE BAGS! These are the CUTEST kits and EVERY nanny should have one on hand!

What’s Inside:
(15) 3/4″ X 3″ assorted kid-friendly bandages, (1) 3″ knee & elbow bandage, (1) sting relief pad, (1) burn relief cream, (3) 5″ X 8″ antiseptic wipes (sting free), (1) burn relief cream, (4) 2″ X 2″ gauze pads (2-two packs) (2) antibiotic ointments, (12) kid-friendly fun stickers, and (1) carry  case.

Other AMAZING Products they have are:

You can purchase any of these products online! Where to Buy

KAPAP Combative Concepts offers Tae Kwon Do programs in Highwood for children ages 4 to 15. Our classes are fun, exciting and motivating. Through moving up in the belt system, kids build self-esteem as they achieve their goals.

At KAPAP Combative, we teach children and teenagers discipline. Our trained staff is very patient, detailed oriented, responsible and loves working with kids. With positive encouragement and careful correction, we lead by example.

Our programs teach practical and proven self-defense techniques. Kids, teenagers and adults alike are taught that what they learn in class should not be tried on their families or others. Through practicing self-defense, we teach to resolve conflicts by using minds instead of physical aggression and that the strongest muscle in our body is our brain.

Little Dragons (Ages 3-4)

The Little Dragons program specifically designed for children ages three through four. This program focuses on improving your childs listening and motor skills. Our Little Dragons Classes are fast-paced, fun filled, educational and motivational.

Little Kickers (Ages 4-8)

These classes are specifically designed for the 4 through 8 year old student. Emphasis is placed on elevating concentration, patience while they await their turn, and self-confidence. They will also be taught basic punching and kicking techniques in order to increase their foot/hand/eye coordination.

Little kicker are introduced to point sparring when they are ready, but it is not mandatory. They will be tested for stripes and belts at the discretion of the chief instructor.

Kids Tae Kwon Do (Ages 9-13)

The focus in this group is on learning the basic kicking and punching techniques, as well as the ‘katas’. They will be working on their strength, coordination, and muscle memory. When children reach the 9 to 15 range their skills and coordination are more developed and they are ready for more complete instruction.

KAPAP Combative Concepts
325 Waukegan Ave. Highwood, IL 60040
Phone: (847) 432-0283
www.kapapcombative.com

Thank you to KAPAP for being a sponsor of our National Nanny Training Day April 28th!

Andrew has a Masters Degree and is a First Class Care certified Housekeeper and Jr. House Manager. Andrew comes with great experience cleaning and caring for antiques as well as Culinary experience. Andrew is bright, professional, dedicated, energetic, organized, articulate and enthusiastic.

Andrew is seeking a position as a Lead Housekeeper, House Manager or Estate Manager.
Andrew is VERY Fleixble
Salary Request: $15 – 25 an hour

What Household Management tasks are you willing to perform? Receive guests/visitors at the door · Answer house phone · Coordinate staff schedules · Track supply inventory · Track household budget · Manage outside vendors · Make travel arrangements · Oversee parking · Party planning and coordination · Assist in meal and drink service · Manage wine cellar · General cleaning and maintenance · Personal valet service · Ensure care of clothing · Ensure care of fine tableware · Care for household vehicles · Maintenance/Inventory of antiques and artwork · Wardrobe maintenance · Purchase clothing · Maintain family calendar · Schedule family appointments · Pay bills · Household shopping · Manage security systems

Housekeeping tasks are you willing to perform? Make beds · Dust · Mop Floors · Clean bathrooms · Clean kitchen · Clean Stovetop · Clean oven · Clean refrigerator · Clean/Organize pantry · Vacuum · Load/Unload dishwasher · Clean inside windows · Polish silver · Wash dishes · Clean china · Clean crystal · Feed pets · Walk pets · Water indoor plants · Water outdoor plants · Organize household · Shopping/Groceries · Errands · Driving · Keep a household maintenance report · Track inventory of cleaning products

If you are interested in meeting Andrew or any other Chicago Housekeepers and House Managers please contact First Class Care – 847-733-2700 x310
www.firstclasscare.com

Brooke has 5 years of nanny and 3 years of lead teacher/supervisor experience. She has cared for children from newborn to 12 including twins and special needs. Brooke is professional, intelligent, serious and clearly loves working with children. Brooke just recently worked successfully for a First Class Care family for 2 years!

Brooke is seeking a Full Time Nanny Position in Chicago.
She is TOTALLY Flexible!
Salary Request: $14-19 an hour

What childcare tasks are you willing to perform? Bathe Children · Clean Children’s Room · Clean Children’s Bathroom · Make Children’s Beds · Organize Play Areas · Children’s Laundry · Children’s Ironing · Children’s Bed Linens · Children’s Meals · Read to Children · Art Projects · Outdoor Sports · Arrange Play Dates · Purchase Children’s Clothes · Supervise Outdoor Play · Play Music

What household tasks are you willing to perform? Vacuum · Dust · Make Family Beds · Laundry · Cook for family · Grocery Shopping · Run Errands · Pet Care

Why are you interested in working in childcare? I love working with children. Nothing makes me happier than the joy of a child. I also enjoy caring for a home and the children as this is very rewarding. I like knowing that I’m helping a family to function in a way that is healthy and enabling parents to spend focused time with their children knowing all the mundane tasks of running a home will still get done.

If you are interested in meeting Nanny Brooke please call First Class Care at 847-733-2700 x310

Written By: Julie Cole from Mabels Labels

Every so often we bark an order at a kid and moments later, regret it. Why do we regret it? Because it was said with no forethought of what a pain it would be to follow through.  The alternative to following through is unbearable – parents transforming into white noise machines repeatedly saying annoying things like:

“I’m giving you ONE more chance”, or:

“OK, now I’ll give you to the count of three”, or even better:

“Well, OK, I’ll let you get away with it this time but this is your last chance”.

I’m not the threatening type (or, I try not to be). Rather than saying “You need to come to the table or else…..(insert irrational consequence here)”, I simply say “You need to come to the table” and then respond to child’s action, or lack of action.

Two occasions come to mind where I ended up putting myself in fairly awkward positions because of a demand or request I put on a kiddo. Interestingly, both occasions have been with the same child.

1)      I ordered child out of swimming pool. Child responded by swimming to middle of pool, flashing a cheeky smile and explaining how exiting the pool was never going to happen.  I entered pool, fully clothed, and dragged said child out of pool. She remained out of pool – for several days – while all the other children enjoyed their summer swims. A friend was over with her kids on the day of the incident and experienced complete shock that I went in the pool fully clothed to get the kid. We brainstormed alternatives and came up empty. The lesson I learned –  it might be worth having a bathing suit on under my clothes at all times in the summer.

2)      Same delightful child was acting like a brat during a soccer game when she was about 6 years old. I kept waiting for the coach to intervene and tell her to smarten up, share the ball, etc. Watching her act out and get away with it sent me into a near rage. Before long, I got the shakes and couldn’t take it any longer. I got up out of my lawn chair, stormed across the soccer field, causing the game to stop, threw my little delinquent over my shoulder, told the coach to get a sub, and hauled my kid off the field. As I walked back to my lawn chair, I could see parents’ mouths hanging open in shock. My daughter was horrified, and the coach didn’t know what to make of me.  Interestingly, I didn’t feel a bit embarrassed about hauling her off the field. It was far more agitating watching her get away with her behaviour.

My experience has been that following through can be extremely painful. The only thing I find more painful, though, is not following through.

We are so excited to have Mabels Labels as a sponsor to our National Nanny Training Day event on April 28th, 2012.

Leah has over 9 years of nanny experience. She has cared for newborns and up including many autistic children. She has graduated with a Early Childhood/Special Education degree. Leah is very flexible, open, outoging and active.

Leah is seeking a Full Time Nanny position with a great Chicago family!
Leah drives, but does not own a car.
Leah is TOTALLY FlEXIBLE!
Salary Requirements: $14-20 an hour

What childcare tasks are you willing to perform? Bathe Children · Clean Children’s Room · Clean Children’s Bathroom · Make Children’s Beds · Organize Play Areas · Children’s Laundry · Children’s Ironing · Children’s Bed Linens · Children’s Meals · Read to Children · Art Projects · Outdoor Sports · Arrange Play Dates · Purchase Children’s Clothes · Supervise Outdoor Play · Play Music

What household tasks are you willing to perform? Vacuum · Dust · Make Family Beds · Laundry · Cook for family · Grocery Shopping · Run Errands · Pet Care

What are your short-term and long-term goals? My short and long term goals are intertwined. I would like to find a family that provides me with the ability to make a difference in their child’s life. I am looking for a stable environment in which I can grow as a person and provide the love and affection, along with disciplinary structure, which will help develop one’s character.

What extra-curricular activities/special skills or hobbies are you interested in? I have been dancing and playing tennis since I was five years old. I went away to camp when I was young and fell in love with horseback riding. I played tennis and danced all through high school. Furthermore, I was also awarded a dance scholarship at Columbia College. I love doing anything that involves being outdoors. When I was sixteen, I joined a sign language club. It was a great experience which has further helped me communicate with others. It also gave me an upper hand in what I love to do now.

If you are interested in meeting Leah please contact First Class Care. 847-733-2700 x310

While providing employee benefits to your nanny is largely optional and seldom required by law, employee benefits greatly help recruit and retain high-level employees.  By providing an attractive employee benefits package, you can help maintain a satisfied workforce.  Satisfied employees equal a happy workplace, which in turn equal a happy family and life for your family.  Listed below is a checklist to help guide you in identifying and potentially implementing a benefit package for your household employee:

• Investigate health, insurance and retirement coverage options thoroughly to see which one best fit your employee’s needs and your budget.
• For the benefit of your family and employee, calculate the amount of personal time to be offered to your employee.
• Set regular review periods for salary changes and salary bonuses, and make sure your employee knows when these might occur.
• Be clear on the extra perks your employee will receive while working within your family—including use of facilities and property.
• Consider providing your employee with mileage reimbursement or a gas card to help with his or her commute or while transporting children.
• Think about developing a transportation policy. You may, perhaps, provide an auto club membership to your employee who drives as part of his or her job, or periodically provide for the vehicle in use to be maintained with a tune-up and oil change.
• Consider adding special perks to help your employee. You may establish an employee assistance plan or gift certificate to a spa or health club as a way to help your employee reduce stress.
• Consider providing your employee with some scheduled free time each week for him or her to make personal errands and phone calls.

If you have more questions regarding benefit packages available for household employers, contact Jonita at GTM Payroll Services at (888) 432-7972 x7224 or visit www.GTM.com.

National Nanny Training Day is an initiative created by Nanny Biz Reviews to promote awareness of the important connection between nanny training and quality of care. On Saturday, April 28^th over 1,000 nannies in more than 30 cities across the country will gather in their local communities at training events designed to meet their unique needs. First Class Care, Inc.  is proud to be the local sponsor for the Chicago event. We’re planning a full day of hot topics, top presenters and great networking, all in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Please consider covering the cost of this event for your nanny. It’s only $49 for 6 sessions, lunch, raffle prizes and a great goodie bag. It’s a small investment with a big payoff. Study after study shows that nannies who receive training consistently provide higher quality care.

# 10: Your nanny has cared for older kids, but now that you are having a baby she’ll need additional tips to care for your newborn.

# 9: The event will offer “learn today, use tomorrow” sessions that will give your nanny new strategies and solutions to challenging behaviors and ages and stages transitions.

# 8: Your nanny is new to the area and this is the perfect way for her to meet other nannies, make friends and even set up play dates.

# 7: It will help keep her excited about her job. Connecting with other like-minded caregivers, learning new ways of doing things, being appreciated for the great work she does all lead to a renewed sense of enthusiasm and commitment.

# 6: Where else can you find such a variety of professional training in one day for such a great price?

# 5: Your nanny will learn about the latest research, explore new approaches and techniques, and develop new caregiving skills: things that will make her a more confident and successful caregiver.

# 4: No matter how many years of experience she has your nanny can always learn something new.

# 3: You understand—and respect—your nanny’s need to freshen up on skills and continue her education.

# 2: Everyone benefits from continuing education.

# 1: You value your nanny and want her to be the best she can be.

Event Details:
Date: April 28th, 2012
Time: 9AM – 5PM
Location: Maggiano’s Restaurant
4999 Old Orchard Center Skokie, IL 60077

REGISTER TODAY! Limited seats available

First Class Care is honored that Parenting Perspectives will be SPEAKING at our National Nanny Training Day April 28th.

Their session is:

Homework without Tears, Battles and Headaches Are you or your charges pulling your hair out over homework? This fun and interactive workshop is guaranteed to reduce the power struggles and frustration that can erupt over homework. Learn to avoid common traps that contribute to homework hassles for you and the entire family. This workshop will help you restore peace in the home. Discover tools that will help you:

• Set the stage for homework success
• Maintain a strong connection with children even when strong emotions erupt over homework
• Encourage responsibility and self-motivation
• Set limits that work
• Reduce power struggles, meltdowns and tantrums
• Help your charge learn to cope with frustration
• Avoid over-indulging and rescuing
• Build your charge’s sense of pride and accomplishment

Parenting Perspectives was founded on the belief that children and families will thrive in an environment of love, understanding and connection. We believe that the role of parent is a transformational journey, and that the inevitable challenges it holds offer numerous gifts along the way. As we embark on this journey it can become complicated. With no formal training there are times we feel inadequately prepared. We are faced with conflicting advice and can be constrained by limiting beliefs. Karen and Lauren offer practical solutions to these parenting struggles.

Any family or Chicago nanny can attend one of their amazing Parenting Workshops in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

A few of the topics they offer are:
Top Tips for Quibbling Siblings
Raising Respectful, Responsible and Resilient Children in a Privileged World
Are You Parenting Like a Caveman? Discipline That Works
“All I Want is a Little Respect”
Keeping Your Family Grounded & Connected
Effective Limit Setting – It is Easy as 1, 2, 3
The 8 Biggest Parenting Traps
Top 10 Tips for Raising Successful Kids
Becoming the Parent You Want to Be
Parenting Together: Helping Couples Get on the Same Page

http://parentingperspectives.com/

Thank you to Parenting Perspectives for helping Sponsor our National Nanny Training Day for Chicago Nannies!