by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Sometimes the notification of a new Twitter follower catches your eye. This was just the case when I received a notification that “Australia’s Number 1 Nanny” was now following me. If someone’s going to call themself the best nanny in their country, it goes without saying I want to learn more. So I reached out to Philippa Christian, the nanny behind the number, to learn why she’s known as her country’s best nanny. Here’s what she had to say.

eNannySource:  How long have you been a nanny?

Philippa: I have been working with children since I was 11 years old, so I guess that makes it 15 years now.  I have always combined babysitting and nannying whilst at school, and once I graduated I took on permanent positions doing what I have always loved – caring for children. I could never see myself doing anything else because I truly feel that being involved with children as a nanny is one of the most rewarding careers of all.

eNannySource:  Tell us about your training and experience.

Philippa: Since the very beginning, I have continuously made time to train, not only for the sake of the children in my care, but also because I truly love learning about what I do.  Whether it be attending a professional nanny school, completing online courses, updating my CPR and First Aid training or even reading parenting and nannying books and magazine articles, there is always something new to learn.

Apart from working as a nanny, I have also trained nannies myself at the Australian Nanny Company on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.  This was a wonderful experience and gave me the opportunity to see how important it is to be on top of the latest information regarding childcare.  Along with the guidance from my mum and my gran, I have also gathered a lot of very useful advice from my relationships with other nannies, nanny agency owners, parents, my nanny mentors, my babysitting coach and even through networking online with other nannies overseas.

I think that experience itself has been one of my best teachers. It has allowed for me to learn on the job, and I believe that learning how to handle a real-life situation has several great advantages over simply reading about it.  For example, while nannying you can see what works best and what doesn’t by trial and error.  You soon learn to predict certain behaviours and have more of an instinct about how to manage certain problems the next time they come around.  Once you can carry out the role and gain the confidence you need, it won’t be long before you will know exactly what you are doing.

eNannySource: You call yourself Australia’s number 1 nanny. What makes you the best?

Philippa: As a nanny, your job is to serve others.  As Australia’s ‘Number 1 Nanny’ I plan on doing exactly that by the largest amount of numbers I can.

Whilst serving nannies, babysitters and parents with the free advice and online certificates they can complete, I am using the money made by that to serve children in need from all of the countries I have been fortunate enough to visit whilst working as a celebrity nanny.  I have always believed that success is measured not by what you can achieve for yourself, but by what you can achieve for others.  As a nanny, every day you are helping children achieve their goals and building a solid foundation for their future.  I have always loved this, and have decided to try and do it on a much larger scale.

eNannySource: Can you tell us about your most interesting celebrity experience?

Philippa: Well this is a tricky question!  I have worked for quite a few celebrities and have had to work through some pretty major headlines, some of which might be a little too obvious about who I would be talking about if I were to discuss those times.  It’s a really fun lifestyle – lots of holidays, five star hotels, private yachts, first class plane trips and meeting lots of other famous friends of the families along the way.  But all of the luxury and glamour does come at a cost.  Working for families like these, you have no social life, you are worked very, very hard and the expectations are extremely high.  I’ve always loved a challenge, and to this day I still work as a celebrity nanny.

One of my most interesting experiences in this job would be a couple of years ago when I was on a cruise ship visiting islands in the South Pacific.  The family I was working for were enjoying their time in the water together, so I decided to go for a short walk around the island and let them have some family time.  As I was walking along a dirt road with palm trees and lots of bush land surrounding me, I noticed a group of natives standing in the bush looking out at the cruise ship and the tourists.  The night before arriving on this island we were told on the ship that a lot of the natives have never seen ‘light skinned’ people before.  As I kept walking a little boy who was probably about 3 or 4 ran out of the bushes and stood on the road in front of me, just staring at me.  The women who were amongst the group of children were screaming at him, obviously wanting him to go back to them.  I just stopped in complete silence not knowing what to do.  I looked over at the women and smiled.  Within seconds, they stopped screaming at the little boy and waved their hand to him as if to say, ‘It’s okay, you can go.’  The little boy walked up to me and gave me a hug.  That was an incredible day and a day I will never forget.  Although languages can separate us, a smile is universal.

eNannySource: What’s the state of the nanny industry in Australia?

Philippa: Unfortunately, nannies have never really been featured in this country up until now.  They have definitely existed, but have not been officially recognised as a large group of people needing support. At the next Federal election in September, there will be a campaign promoting a ‘National Nanny Rebate,’ which is designed around giving families the choice of considering a home-based nanny rather than ‘away from home child care’ for their children, as the government is willing to provide in-home care at the same cost as day care.

eNannySource: How do you think nannies in the US and Australia are different?

Philippa: As far as I can see, the role of a nanny has always been an important part of American history.  As a young girl, I loved to watch TV shows from the USA, and many of them were about families with a nanny!  It seemed so wonderful that these children growing up in a family didn’t just have their parents to help them, but also a caring friend that they could rely on to help them through many difficult situations.  Our history hasn’t really made a point of bringing nannies or ‘mothers’ helpers’ into the limelight very much, and so it’s a difficult job to compare the differences.

I must say that I have noticed American nannies seem to be a lot more passionate about their work.  Could one of the reasons for this be that there is a lot more available for nannies in America?  In Australia, we don’t yet have nanny conferences or nanny workshops, we don’t have laws that protect nannies whilst at work, we don’t have a recognition week or even a nanny association, but I’m hoping that very soon this will all change as the more we can make available to our nannies, the more we can encourage them to take on one the best and most rewarding careers they could ever hope to find.   After all, a happy nanny equals a happy family!

eNannySource: Tell us about the book you are writing.

Philippa: I am currently writing ‘The Original Handbook for Australian Babysitters and Nannies.’  This has been a project of mine for the past six years.  I really wanted to write it properly and not miss a thing.  When I began babysitting, I would constantly be calling my Mum asking her so many questions – how do I get the baby to sleep if he keeps crying or how do I stop the kids from running away from the trolley when we are in the supermarket? Once I think I even asked her how to cut up an apple for the kids!

This book will hopefully be the ultimate guide to caring for children and help turn good nannies into great nannies.  It’s really something I wish I had when I first started out.  The book covers everything from nappy changing techniques to ‘meals in minutes,’ and goes on to explain things like child psychology and the different kinds of families you may have the opportunity to work for one day.

eNannySource: What are your favourite nanny resources?

Philippa: My favourite nanny resources would be my Daily Diary and communication book.  I have always believed that communication and a strong relationship with the parents of the children in your care is what makes a great nanny/family relationship.  The Daily Diary includes everything about the day, from the meals and drinks the children had to sleep times and even which activities they enjoyed.  The diary covers exactly what happened during the time that Mum and Dad were not around.

The communication book is a book containing everything that Mum and Dad really need to know.  Examples could include a milestone that one of the children may have reached or are showing signs that they are on their way to reaching, certain things that need to be noted like a reminder for the parents to sign a school form or attend a school function or even things like unacceptable behaviour and the way I have handled the situation.  Sometimes as a Nanny we need to discuss things with parents that aren’t very easy, so a communication book is a great way of noting all those things down and going through each of them with the parent.

For as long as she can remember, Philippa Christian has dreamed of becoming Australia’s best nanny. She has worked nationally and internationally for a very large number of families, including some very well-known faces, and over the years has gained what she now feels is enough knowledge and experience to justify the title of, ‘Australia’s Number 1 Nanny.’ Learn more about Philippa at www.number1nanny.com.au, where she hopes to use the experience and knowledge she’s gained to put together an educational package to assist anyone and everyone who is involved or is planning on becoming involved in the caring of children.

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Identity theft is a real problem and, sadly, children are not exempt from having their identities stolen. Recently, I connected with Julie Myhre, who covers identity theft for NextAdvisor.com, and here is what she had to say. 

eNannySource: How does identity theft happen?

Julie: Identity theft occurs when someone gets a hold of someone else’s personal information and poses as that person or uses that information to create their own fake identity. This information can be a full name, social security number or a bank account number. It’s usually easier for identity thieves to get information about an adult because adults have a lot of personal information about them; however, it is important to also remember that children can be victims of identity theft too. There are a lot of different ways that adults can be hacked; some of these include not having privacy settings on social media, clicking on phishing emails or pop-ups, losing a wallet, throwing away documents that contain personal information, and ATM or credit card skimming, among others.

For children, identity theft occurs a little differently. Child identity thieves are looking for their victim’s Social Security number. Since children don’t have any credit history, it makes it easier for thieves to use their Social Security number and a false birthday to open credit cards. The unfortunate part about this is that people who were victims of child identity theft don’t usually realize it until they are older and trying to apply for a credit card or loan. Thieves usually gather children’s personal information from sports team applications, school documents and any other documents that would have your child’s Social Security number on it.

eNannySource: How is it prevented?

Julie: There are a lot of different steps that you can take to prevent identity theft. One of the major ways to prevent identity theft is to sign up for an identity theft protection service. Most of these services monitor your personal information regularly and alert you if they notice any suspicious or possibly fraudulent activity. A good amount of these services also offer family plans, which will allow you to protect your whole family – including your children – from identity theft.

Some other options to prevent identity theft include shredding all documents that contain yours or your child’s personal information, checking your bank accounts and credit card statements regularly, monitoring your credit report and, lastly, knowing what you and your child post online. A lot of people don’t realize how much information they post about themselves and their family on social media. It’s fine if you want to include some personal information – such as your full name and photo – but make sure that you set your profile to private. Monitor what you and your child post on social media, and check the privacy settings regularly – at least monthly.

eNannySource: What basic things can parents teach children to avoid identity theft?

Julie: Parents should teach their children about identity theft in a similar manner that they teach them about strangers. If you think about it, it’s essentially very similar – someone you don’t know is trying to take something from you. Parents just need to teach their children that their personal information is private and they should not reveal any of it to people they don’t know. Children won’t understand the details of identity theft, so it’s important not to go into too many details. The bottom line is personal information should be kept personal, and it’s important that parents recognize that and teach it to their children.

eNannySource: What age do parents have to start worrying about identity theft?

Julie: Parents should begin to think about ways to protect their child from identity theft as soon as their child has a Social Security number.

eNannySource:  Is it worth investing in some type of protection?

Julie: Yes, in most circumstances identity theft protection is worth the investment. The value of identity theft protection isn’t necessarily in the active personal information monitoring, because the reality is that people can do that part themselves. Instead, the value lies in the identity theft recovery that these services offer. In the instance that yours or your child’s identity is stolen while you’re signed up for an identity theft protection service, you are provided with all the information and tools you need to recover yours or your child’s good name. Identity theft protection services represent you when you’re dealing with the banks, credit bureaus and creditors. It lightens the load on the victim’s side and helps alleviate the nightmare of identity theft. The identity theft recovery assistance is a valuable tool to have if yours or your child’s identity is stolen.

eNannySource: What about the Internet? What are the top tips for parents of kids who use the Internet?

Julie: The most important tip that parents need to follow when their children use the Internet is to monitor what your child is doing and posting on the Internet. Have open communication with your child and make them aware that they shouldn’t be putting any personal information on the Internet – even if it’s your home address in a private message to a friend. Check in with your child and make sure these rules are being followed on all platforms, including the computer, cell phone and tablet. Check your child’s privacy settings on their phone and social media once a month to make sure the information they post on the Internet is set to private.

Julie Myhre is the Content Manager at NextAdvisor.com. You can review identity theft protection reviews and learn more about identity theft on the site. 

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Speaking of technology, through Facebook I’ve had the opportunity to reconnect with high school classmates. One such classmate is Corinne Altham, who serves as a library information integrator in South Portland, Maine. Recently, we had a chance to connect on the topic of introducing kids to technology. Here’s what she had to say.

eNannySource: When is it beneficial to introduce kids to technology?

Corinne: Today’s touch screen tablet is so intuitive for even the youngest minds, so children today are being introduced to technology when they are babies. I think it’s up to parents to decide upon the right time to introduce technology to their kids, but I also would caution against the overuse of technology at an early age. The brain is social. We learn from our interaction with people, not from screens. The more time our infants and toddlers spent tapping the glass instead of reading cues from families and friends, the more they will lose in social skills and understanding of the world.

School-age children are in an ever-increasing digital environment. From one-to-one iPads in kindergarten to digital textbooks in middle and high school, technology is becoming ubiquitous in our schools. I think it’s smart for parents to start the conversation about digital safety and netiquette as early as kindergarten. As the first teachers, parents need to teach kids to protect themselves and their reputation in both the digital and physical world because, to quote The Social Network, “The Internet isn’t written in pencil, it’s written in ink.”

eNannySource: First tech savvy toy. Laptop or Tablet?

Corinne: Tablets and smart phones are much more intuitive for young kids. When you think about it, a laptop is a business machine. There’s so much more to startup, shutdown and running programs on a laptop that in my opinion, a tablet is the better choice. And with the tremendous amount of excellent applications that can be downloaded to a tablet computer, the choice is clear that it’s a superior tool for kids and learning.

eNannySource: When it comes to introducing kids to technology, what should the goals be? What are the real benefits? The cons?

Corrine: As a tech integrator, I love when I see teachers using technology as a tool not a toy. Tech should be used when it’s the right tool for the job. There are tremendous benefits for parents who want to engage their children’s creativity, reinforce a skill or strengthen problem-solving skills. The real benefits are the engagement that technology inspires in kids. Whether they’re collaborating with an aunt on www.storybird.com or practicing math facts with their best friend on www.arcademics.com , the sheer bulk of what’s out there on the web to engage kids’ creativity and imagination is almost endless. As a parent of young children, I think the biggest con of technology is that we sometimes use it as the virtual babysitter. I see kids in restaurants, in the car or in other public places with their noses glued to mom or dad’s phone and I wonder, what are they missing in the world around them? That may surprise people since I am a technology teacher, but I really think that technology is a big part of the reason that one in three kids today is obese. As with anything in life, there must be balance.

eNannySource: Where can parents find age-appropriate games and activities for kids online?

Corinne: My go to guide for any type of media is www.commonsensemedia.org. They vet and review multiple media types and help parents make informed choices about what their kids are doing online and beyond. But with any app, website or game, it’s important for you as a parent to first review what you’re putting into your child’s hands.

eNannySource:  How can parents establish healthy guidelines for technology use?

Corinne: Excessive screen time isn’t healthy for anyone, never mind developing children, so I think it’s important to set healthy limits on technology early. If you set the tone early that as the parent that you will control how much time is spent in front of a computer or television screen, you should have fewer struggles over limits. When I see that my children are spending too much time watching television or a computer screen, I will call a “Screen Free Weekend” to remind them that mom and dad are the bosses and that we can have fun in lots of other ways as a family.

eNannySource: What are some of the common mistakes parents make with regards to kids and technology and how can they avoid them?

Corinne: Being a parent is such hard work. And the digital age has made parenting even harder. I think it’s super important to keep control of the computers in your home. And don’t forget the SmartPhone you gave your child for their birthday: that’s a computer like all the rest.  If your children are young, allow for parent-supervised use of the Internet only. If you have teenagers, check their browser history. If it’s constantly wiped out, chances are they are going somewhere they don’t want you to see. Pop their names into Google to check their digital footprint. Join Facebook and see what you can find. It’s not snooping if you’re the parent. Giving kids access to the Internet and not keeping tabs on how they’re using it is irresponsible and a recipe for disaster. And if you don’t know enough about computers to be able to keep tabs on what your children are doing online, find someone who does and ask for help. By starting the conversation early with your kids, setting boundaries and having the difficult conversations about the dangers of the web, you can create an atmosphere of trust and communication that will help your kids in all areas of their lives.

Corinne Altham is a Library Information Integrator in South Portland, Maine. She has been teaching in public education for fifteen years. She is a master’s candidate in the Wilkes University Instructional Media program. She runs a popular website www.mrsaltham.com that helps kids develop skills in informational literacy. She is also the director of Camp Invention, a STEM-based summer science camp for students in grades 1-6. 

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

With over 12 years of being a Creative Memories consultant under her belt, Donna Vincenzino knows what it takes to capture and document family memories. From how to get started to how to keep it up, here’s what Donna Vincenzino had to say about the art of scrapbooking.

eNannySource: So a mom wants to start scrapbooking, what’s the first thing she needs to do?

Donna: Find a consultant or get a friend to join you.  I find when someone is working with you it’s easier to stay on track and finish the project.  Set out to make your scrapbooking time for you – a fun and social event.  While scrapbooking might seem hard at first, it will get easier as you get more pages done.  Just remember, the final album is so rewarding, not only to you but to others around you.  Albums are a one size fits all kind of gift. Start by printing your photos now.

eNannySource: Digital or paper? Why?

Donna: I prefer traditional scrapbooks.  To be able to touch the photos, paper and layouts is relaxing to me.  For families on the go, digital is faster.  If you are looking for great gifts for several people who attended a special event, like a wedding, birthday or vacation, digital is the way to go.

eNannySource: What’s the initial investment look like for each?

Donna:  For scrapbooking, well under $100. A Traditional Creative Memories Album size 12×12 runs $26.50. Pages are $19.00, page protectors $9.50, tape $9.50 and a pen to journal with is $4.00: $68.50. The 12 x 12 Picfolio Album has pockets to slide photos into and runs around $40.  Try to attend workshops in your area.  This will save you money because you can usually use all the great tools while there. Plus, you meet some nice people with the same goal: making memories for your family to share for a lifetime.

For digital scrapbooking, it can run $7 for basic downloads of designs.  The Storybook Creator 4.0 full DVD for PC is $30-$72. This does not include the price of printing the album.

eNannySource: What is the best way to keep current on your project?

Donna: Be sure to schedule time each month to keep up with your album.  This will save you a lot of time, as your memory will be fresh and you’ll recall the details you want to use to describe the photo or piece of memorabilia. Label and store all of your scrapbook supplies together for easy access.

eNannySource:  What are your top tips for storing and organizing photos?

Donna: Never be afraid to print and store labeled photos in a shoe box filer.  Write down and store notes with the photos that you would like to add when adding the photos to the album.

eNannySource: What should parents do with photos they don’t use?

Donna: You can keep only the good ones, but do keep extras on hand just in case your child might need them for a school project. You can also frame photos and display them around your home. But my personal favorite thing to do with “extra” photos is to make a photo card and send it to the person in the pictures.  This is always a good way to share your wonderful photos with others.

eNannySource: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Donna: Don’t let the time commitment scare you. Find a consultant to help you get started.  Some will even do your scrapbooking for you.  Always start with the current photos because they are fresh in your brain. The past years will already be a challenge and will be easier to complete once you get into the groove.  Scrapbooking does not have to be just photos, but can include special memorabilia, too.  Your pages do not have to be extra decorated to tell the story.  Being able to store your memories in an album will allow you to look back on and share the exciting times of your life.

To learn more about Creative Memories visit www.CreativeMemories.com and use the contact a consultant tool to find a consultant in your area.

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

At eNannySource, our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. As a lifelong Massachusetts resident who has taken past charges to watch the Boston Marathon, the events that unfolded at this year’s event hit too close to home. And like many moms, I wanted to know what to say and what not to say to my young children with regards to the events. I caught up with Child Psychologist Dr. Phyllis Ohr, who offered some helpful tips.

eNannySource:  How can parents offer reassurance to their children?

Dr. Ohr: Parents should offer their children a chance to sit down and talk with them about anything stressful in the news. They can “make a date” to talk, for example, over hot chocolate or when taking a walk or sitting on a park bench or park swings – any time or any place is good for a talk. If they are not directly impacted by the tragedy parents can reassure their children that their life as they know it has not changed- their family members are still there, they still go to the same school and have the same friends. Parents can “normalize” their child’s feelings -which means reassuring their child that feeling upset is very normal and that some kids may feel sad, others may feel scared, and others may feel mad- or all 3 at the same time or different times. Many might not know how they exactly feel, but just know they are upset. And it’s also normal not to feel upset, because the tragedy may seem so far away. Whatever they are feeling, parents should tell their child that if they are so upset that it’s hard to be in school, or with friends, or with family, they should talk to their parent about how hard it is and their parent could help them problem solve what to do to make themselves cope better.

eNannySource: What should parents tell their toddlers? Preschoolers? Elementary-schoolers?

Dr. Ohr: In my opinion, toddlers (2-3) are too young to be told about the events. Preschoolers can be told that some people were hurt in a city called Boston during a race and some very smart people in our country are trying to find out what happened so they can stop it from happening again- I would then ask the preschooler if they have any questions and then answer their questions in a developmentally appropriate way, making sure they give answers directly addressing the question -don’t diverge. For elementary age children I would first ask what they know about what happened to see if they have accurate info- parents should correct any inaccurate info and give the facts and then have their child ask any questions they may have.

eNannySource:  What about media coverage? What age should children be exposed to it? How much?

Dr. Ohr: I don’t think toddlers or preschoolers should be exposed to media coverage- they would have difficulty grasping what’s going on and may be confused by the emotional intensity of the adults covering the news. Perhaps as early as second grade but definitely by fifth grade many children are able to gain exposure to information independently by reading, watching TV or online, even if parents think they are limiting it. I would recommend that parents assume their child can gain access to media information about upsetting events and talk to their child about how to deal with news that’s upsetting, rather than assume they can control the degree of exposure. That doesn’t mean parents can’t set rules (for example, watching news programs together), but they may not be able to enforce rules if they are not with their child all the time.

eNannySource: What’s the three best tips you can give parents for talking to their kids about tragedy?

Dr. Ohr: 1) It’s always good to first ask their child about what they already know of the tragedy 2) Don’t assume you know how your child feels or give your child the expectation that they have to “feel” a certain way. Also, don’t assume that your child knows how he or she feels, sometimes adults can’t identify their feelings in the face of tragedy. 3) Don’t be afraid to show emotion when you speak to your child of tragedy, but model good ways of coping with your emotions- show your child how you can use calm breathing to help cope.

eNannySource: What are some good resources for families impacted by these events?

Dr. Ohr: For families experiencing post traumatic reactions, they may want to consult with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist who is affiliated with a hospital or community mental health center. For support, there are religious groups or hospital-based groups.

eNannySource: What should parents do if they hear their children talking about the events in ways far beyond what they’ve told them?

Dr. Ohr: Calmly, and without negative judgment, correct the misinformation and encourage them to approach you with information they get from others so you can help them understand.

eNannySource: How can parents focus on the good in the world when so much bad seems to surround us?

Dr. Ohr: Show them pictures and tell them stories of all the first responders and the good Samaritans, all of the “helpers” who come out when evil strikes. Together with their children they can think of ways they can help others touched by tragedy so they can do good.

If you would like more information or tips, you can visit www.press4kids.com.

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently I had a chance to catch up with my good friend Lexy Capp of Nannies & Housekeepers USA and talk a little bit about vacationing with kids in her favorite spot in the world, Las Vegas, Nevada. Here’s what she had to say.

eNannySource: I’d say most people think Las Vegas is for adults only. Is Las Vegas family friendly?

Lexy: Las Vegas offers something for everyone in the family! Our website provides a list of Family Friendly Activities, including the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, M & M World, Game Works, Mirage – White Tiger Exhibit, Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy, Circus Circus Adventuredome, Hiking at Red Rock and The Venetian Gondola Rides, to name a few.

eNannySource: What are your top three favorite family friendly things in Vegas?

Lexy: Red Rock Hiking, DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy, plus the dolphins at The Mirage.

eNannySource: What are some of the struggles parents face when traveling with children to Vegas?

Lexy: Parents traveling with small children are often faced with a need for childcare. Nannies & Housekeepers USA offers In Room Nanny Service at the finest hotels in Las Vegas.
Nannies & Housekeepers is approved and referred by the top hotels, concierge and families. The agency is properly licensed, bonded and insured. Risk Management ONLY refers to Nannies & Housekeepers USA.

eNannySource: What should parents consider when choosing childcare on vacation?

Lexy: Make sure the agency is properly licensed, bonded and insured. Ask about the screening process! Nannies & Housekeepers USA offers a boutique agency experience for families. All of the nannies who work at the hotels are employees of the agency. All nannies are available 7 days a week – 24 hours a day. Nannies are CPR Trained & First Aid Certified. All nannies undergo a meticulous background screening.

eNannySource: Tell us about the childcare options you provide for visitors in Vegas?

Lexy: In Room Nanny Service – We are approved and referred by the finest hotels, concierge and families. Licensed, Bonded & Insured – All the nannies are CPR Trained & First Aid Certified. Nannies bring their Mary Poppins’ tote bags filled with arts, crafts and age appropriate activities to serve children at the hotels. Event Childcare – Nannies & Housekeepers USA is licensed as a mobile daycare offering event childcare for weddings, groups and conventions.

eNannySource:  How far in advance should parents make childcare arrangements for their vacation destination?

Lexy: We have successfully filled every request – which is one of the reasons the hotels love working with Nannies & Housekeepers. We suggest families reserve their IN ROOM NANNY as soon as they make their reservations for dinners or shows. We ask for a four hour advance notice – however, we have been able to fill last minute requests.

eNannySource: What are your top three tips for traveling families?

Lexy: Choose a destination that offers family friendly activities. Choose a destination that offers childcare at top resorts, as mom and dad want adult time, too. Go with the flow; travel can be stressful – take it one day at a time.

Lexy Capp is the founder of Las Vegas based Nannies & Housekeepers USA. Nannies & Housekeepers USA was the 2011 APNA Agency of the Year award recipient and the preferred agency for such prestigious hotels as Mandalay Bay, Wynn Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International, Loews Lake Las Vegas, The Venetian, Caesars and many more. To learn more about Nannies & Housekeepers USA visit www.LasVegasNannies.com. 

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

Recently, I had a chance to catch up with Surya Sajnani of the Wee Gallery, an art boutique offering smart art for little minds. Conceptualized by Surya, a graphic designer, and her husband Dave, a teacher, after the birth of their son, Wee Gallery is full of high contrast art designed to stimulate the minds of infants. From art cards to wall art and toys to blankets, there are plenty of bold prints for babies to enjoy.

eNannySource: Tell us about the Wee Gallery.

Surya: Wee Gallery makes smart and artistic products for babies and kids. It was started by us – Surya Sajnani, a graphic designer, and Dave Pinto, an English teacher. We started making the Art Cards for Baby in 2004, and now we have an extensive line of decor and products for babies and kids. Wee Gallery started in California and is now sold all over the world.

eNannySource:  How did you come up with your business?

Surya: When our son was born 10 years ago, we painted a mural in his room. It featured zebras in black and white stripes so that he could enjoy the high contrast pattern when he was a newborn, and later see all the colors behind. He loved staring at the zebras so much that we decided to literally box the idea, and so Wee Gallery was born.

eNannySource: What makes your company eco-friendly?

Surya: Being green is very important to us. And it isn’t enough using recycled paper and eco-friendly materials. We could easily slap our graphics onto bags, cushions, t-shirts and mugs, but when we make a product, we try to be absolutely sure that it’s presence on the planet is welcome. We try to produce as much as we can in the US. When we make products in other countries, like India and China, the social and environmental aspect is key in choosing our suppliers.

eNannySource: Are your children involved with the company?

Surya: Our children have always been involved in Wee Gallery. They are Idea Generators, Product Testers, Models, as well as Trade Show Booth Assistants!

eNannySource:  As a working mother, how do you balance work, family and home?

Surya: It’s not easy. I try and get all my work done when the kids are at school, so that we can play when they get home. It doesn’t always happen that way, but we make it work most days.

eNannySource: What motivates you?

Surya: I LOVE what I do. There’s nothing I enjoy more than sketching, painting, playing on the computer and creating fun and well made products. I feel very lucky to be able to make a living while creating products that bring joy to kids and make a parent’s life easier.

eNannySource:  Is there anything else you want readers to know?

Surya: We appreciate you! There are so many times that a sweet email or a handwritten card from a customer has cheered us up when things were less than perfect, or we have received a suggestion to improve an existing product, or a request for a new one. We read everything. I wish we could write everyone back personally, or please every request, but even if we don’t, we are honored and appreciate that you took the time and effort to get in touch, and that every suggestion of yours is considered.

To learn more about Surya, her family and Wee Gallery, visit www. WeeGallery.com.