Archive for November, 2012

10 Great Destinations to Bring Kids on a Field Trip

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

Few events are as exciting to kids as the almighty field trip. The thought of escaping the confines of the home for an afternoon can send children into paroxysms of joy, leaving nannies struggling to keep up with their exuberant charges. Here are 10 great field trip ideas to take the kids on that will help them learn in a more hands-on way, which aids greatly in retention and comprehension for some kids that struggle in those areas.

  1. Farms and Orchards – Helping kids understand where their food comes from can be as simple as planning a trip to a local farm or orchard. Most of these places are welcoming to playgroups and children’s organizations, even offering special activities and lessons for touring children.
  2. Petting Zoos – A visit to the petting zoo can provide kids with a hands-on lesson in caring for domestic animals, allowing them the chance to get up close and personal with animals that they might not have access to normally. Kids who live in dense urban areas are often limited in their opportunities to interact with any domesticated animals that can’t be kept as pets; a trip to a local petting zoo can help them have a personal experience with farm and barnyard creatures.
  3. Traditional Zoos – Learning about more exotic animals can be exciting for kids when it entails a trip to the zoo, where they are able to observe animals in an approximation of their natural habitats, and can even catch demonstrations from trained specialists.
  4. Living History Museums – Grasping the concept of life before electricity can be difficult for today’s always-on, constantly connected kids. A field trip to a living history museum can be like stepping into a time machine, helping kids learn more about their ancestors by watching actors portray a specific era in character.
  5. Botanical Gardens – For kids who are fortunate to live in an area with a botanical garden, the opportunities to examine many types of plants, small birds and insects are endless. Pairing natural science with a day outdoors, these field trips are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
  6. Art Museums – Many art museums have special sections that are specifically geared towards kids, providing them with the opportunity to learn about classic masterpieces and, in some cases, even create their own in workshops.
  7. Science Centers – Science centers and museums built solely for kids are always a good choice for field trips; the interactive exhibits and experiments are great ways for kids to grasp scientific concepts by seeing them in action, and are a welcome alternative to reading a description in their text books.
  8. National Parks – The options for education and fun at a national park are almost limitless, as most have specialized programs just for touring playgroups and kids’ organizations. These parks can be a wealth of knowledge, and provide kids with hours of educational fun.
  9. Wildlife Reserves – Petting and traditional zoos offer kids a chance to observe animals in something that resembles their natural habitat, but a wildlife preserve allows them the opportunity to see indigenous creatures actually surviving in the wild with limited human intervention.
  10. Local Historical Landmarks – It’s important for kids to understand their local history and heritage, and visiting local points of interest and historical sites can be a great way to do just that. Whether your group opts for a guided or self-guided tour, there’s plenty to learn about your city and its history from these local treasures.

Depending on your area, there can be dozens of great options for field trips. Many sites offer special tours or activities to playgroups, so look into what’s available near you.

Posted in Child Care Tips | 1 Comment »

Holiday Spirit: Nannies help families devastated by Hurricane Sandy

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

Hurricane Sandy-related fire damage in New York’s coastal area. Click image to enlarge. (Photo courtesy of Beth Lehmann).

Natural disasters bring out the best and worst of humanity.

In a horrifying footnote to the Hurricane Sandy aftermath, several New York City homeowners devastated by the storm reported burglaries over Thanksgiving weekend. The pattern follows an overall rise in crime and looting this month in Queens and surrounding areas. According to the New York Post, there were 14 home break-ins from Nov. 12-18 in the Breezy Point area alone, compared to none during the same time period last year.

However, in many other cases, theft hasn’t happened because there’s been nothing worth stealing. Homes have been flooded or completely knocked off foundations.

As a longtime volunteer with New York Cares, nanny Beth Lehmann is doing her best to balance out the equation. For every stranger who tries to take advantage of the crisis, there’s another stranger reaching out with kindness. For the duration of the hurricane relief effort, Beth has been sorting and delivering donated food and supplies to disabled and elderly citizens who cannot otherwise access them. She also has been canvassing neighborhoods in Coney Island, Howard Beach and the Rockaways, talking to seniors about their medicinal needs.

“I found all these muscles I forgot I had,” says Beth, a 26-year career nanny who recently wrapped up a 10-year assignment with the same family. “It’s one thing to see the destruction on TV, but when you are physically there, you see the people and their emotions up close. You see houses tilted off their foundations and people scared to leave their homes because of looters. Their feelings become your feelings, It really drives home your compassion.”

“When you step into one of these neighborhoods, you can instantly smell the destruction,” she adds. “Words can’t describe the shock. It feels like I’m in a far away war zone, even though it’s a 20-25 minute drive from where I live. Most people in Manhattan have no idea about the full extent of the devastation.”

New York career nanny Beth Lehmann wants to spread some random kindness.

Beth is also the founder of Nannies Supporting Sandy Victims, an independent charity project aiming to distribute $250 cash gifts to random strangers demonstrating need. For the first stage of the project, she is hoping to raise $1,500 from fellow nannies and their families to fund six care packages. To date, she has raised $1,020.

“That might not sound like a lot of money to some people, but it’s a lot when you have nothing. I’ve always wanted to do this,” she says. “I love the idea of spreading random acts of kindness.”

Inside the blank cash envelope is a note that reads:

Hello,
We know this isn’t much, but hope it will help you.
Just spreading a bit of sunshine your way.
A Random Act of Kindness.
Love,

Nannies Supporting Sandy Victims

Beth determines which strangers are good candidates for the gift by listening to people’s stories that they share with her as a city volunteer.  Like the TV show “Secret Millionaire,” her targets have no idea she is giving away money. The nanny has no timeline for giving away money, nor any upper limit, as that will depend on the level of donations. So far, she has given away one envelope — to a woman in the Rockaways who is going through dialysis treatment but has no place to bring her toddler during her appointments.

“She lost her daycare because of the floods,” Beth says. “Hopefully, this can cover her babysitting costs until they figure out a solution.”

“I walked away as she opened the envelope. She sat down on the floor and cried. I had tears in my eyes and walked out of the area. I spoke with her priest later and he was beyond thankful. The mom spoke to priest and had him relay the message that she blessed us and said we were ‘angels’ for doing what we did,” she adds.

Lingering Damage from Hurricane Sandy — a fishing boat landed on an unsuspecting homeowner’s lawn. (Photo courtesy of Beth Lehmann).

“Some nannies have emailed me and said they want to donate money instead of exchanging gifts with each other this year. I also have some nanny agencies helping me spread the word. I’m hoping the whole nanny industry will rally around this idea,” Beth says.

No More Boardwalk — Coastal devastation in the Rockaways. Click image to enlarge. (Photo courtesy of Beth Lehmann).

If you’d like to donate to Nannies Supporting Sandy Victims, visit their FundRazr page or the organization’s Facebook page.

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Posted in Nannies in the News, Real Nanny Stories | 1 Comment »

10 Ways to Prevent Nanny Burnout

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Working as a nanny can be a stressful job, as nannies often work in isolation, take on tasks far outside the typical job description, and struggle to maintain a healthy nanny/family relationship. Burnout is common, and is harmful to both the nanny and the family she works for. Here are 10 ways a nanny can avoid burnout:

  1. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Nannies are natural helpers, and usually are more than willing to take on additional tasks as needed. This inherent desire to help is one of the things that make them great caregivers. However, that trait can backfire when they take on more responsibilities and tasks than they have the time and energy to do. Remember, one person can only do so much, so know what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing, and what’s required in your job. If your employer asks you to take on more than you can handle, politely say no.
  2. Keep the lines of communication between you and your employers open. A stressful nanny/parent relationship can be a huge contributor to nanny burnout. Make it a point to check in with your employers on a regular basis about things that are going on with the kids and things that are going on with the job. Let them know when there’s a problem, and be open to their feedback. By keeping the lines of communication open, you can address issues as they come up. This helps keep job-related stresses at a minimum and helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and burned out.
  3. Maintain a life outside of your job. Nannies typically work 45 to 60 hours a week, and when you add on a commute, the schedule can be grueling. It’s not easy to find the time to do things you enjoy, but maintaining a healthy life/work balance is crucial to staying happy on the job. When all you do is work, or think and stress about work, it’s easy to fall into the burnout trap.
  4. Connect with other caregivers on a regular basis. Being a nanny is a unique job. No one except another nanny can really understand the job’s distinct challenges. By connecting with other nannies in your local area, you’ll have a safe place to turn to for support and resources.
  5. Develop a regular practice that reduces your stress. Working with children all day can be a stressful endeavor. Find a regular practice that you enjoy that can also help you keep stress at bay, such as meditation, a hand craft like knitting or crocheting, or yoga. It’s not important what the practice is, just that you enjoy engaging in it and that you do it on a regular basis.
  6. Exercise regularly. Nannies that have a regular exercise routine are better able to handle stress, which is one of the major contributors to burnout. Exercise doesn’t have to be a boring workout at the gym; the best kind of workout is the kind that you love, that helps you build strength and endurance while still having fun. Try hiking, swimming or biking. Explore a kick-boxing or yoga class. It can be challenging to find the time to fit regular exercise into your day but finding a workout that you love to do can make it easier to make it a priority.
  7. Have a financial cushion. Childcare isn’t a high paying field, and many nannies worry about making ends meet. Financial worries and feeling like you’re not getting paid fairly for the hard work you do can be a big contributor to nanny burnout. To help ease money stresses, build a financial cushion. Save enough money to pay your bills and keep you afloat for at least 4 to 6 months.
  8. Focus on the things about your job that you love. Every job has both good and bad qualities, but sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up solely in the bad things. After a while, it may seem like there are only bad things. By staying aware of the good things too, you can keep a more balanced, realistic view of your job. You will still have struggles and challenges, but you’ll also have lots of joys and fun moments.
  9. Avoid working too many hours. The typical nanny job demands more than the usual 40 hour work week. In some jobs, it’s easy for the hours to get out of control without the parents or the nanny realizing it. Before you accept any overtime, make sure you’re leaving yourself enough time to enjoy your friends, family and hobbies. Balance is the key.
  10. Leave a job when it’s time. Sometimes you’re simply not well suited for a job. Before you enter the burnout stage and your performance starts to suffer, it may be time to leave the position. Although quitting a job is never easy and should be a last resort, sometimes quitting is the best option for both the nanny and the family.

Nanny burnout is a serious thing. By taking precautions against burnout and maintaining a healthy life/work balance, you can stay happy in a position for a long time.

Posted in Nanny Tips | 1 Comment »

30 Blogs With Tips for Screening Nannies

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Making the decision to hire a nanny versus enrolling your child in center-based care can be a difficult one. When you do finally arrive at a concrete decision to opt for in-home care, you’ll still be charged with the equally challenging task of finding a nanny with the right qualifications and beginning the arduous process of thoroughly vetting her. If you’ve chosen to hire independently rather than working with an agency, you’ll also be forced to start the process from scratch, by yourself. These thirty blog entries discuss the many aspects of thoroughly screening nanny candidates, offering valuable hints and information along the way.

Interviews

After wading through the sea of applicants and settling on the most promising among the bunch, you’ll need to begin the process of setting up one-on-one interviews with the candidates you’ve chosen. These interviews will not only be an opportunity for you and prospective nannies to get to know one another, but also for you to continue thinning the list of applicants. These five blogs are filled with nanny interview hints and advice, helping you to begin the process as confidently as possible.

Reference Checks

Career nannies understand that their references are worth their weight in gold, and must be protected at all costs. In an industry reliant largely upon reputation and word of mouth, a quality nanny will guard that reputation carefully and be proud to supply potential employers with the references that corroborate it. Still, you may have little to no experience handling the process of checking references if you’ve never hired a nanny before, which is where these bloggers can offer some pointers.

Keep it Legal

With the power of the Internet and the help of an unscrupulous character or two, it’s actually quite easy to access significant amounts of background information on a nanny candidate. Despite the simplicity of obtaining that information, some of it cannot legally be used to make a hiring decision. In the interest of helping first-time nanny employers keep their background screening process completely above board, these five bloggers provide a bit of information about Federal hiring laws.

Drug Testing

Determining whether or not a promising nanny candidate is a recreational user of illicit drugs is a very important part of the hiring process for some parents, though the process can be anything but simple. These five blogs tackle the subject of pre-employment drug screenings from a practical point of view, offering quite a bit of valuable advice and information.

Background Checks

Whether you want to know about her driving record, criminal history or simply want to make sure that she’s not on the National Sex Offender Registry, there are a variety of reasons for employers to run a criminal background check on a nanny candidate. These five blogs offer advice on how to properly conduct a background check, what they entail and the best methods of legally obtaining the information.

Certifications and Education

Knowing that you’ll be leaving your children in the hands of a well-trained, competent nanny can offer the greatest peace of mind of any childcare decision you ever make. While there’s no standard legal certification process for nannies across the country, the self-regulating industry does offer a variety of potential classes, certifications and workshops. These five blogs discuss the different types of certification a nanny might have, explaining their value to first-time nanny employers.

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Ways a Nanny Can Save Busy Parents Time

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Many of today’s two-parent households have both parents working outside the home. Time at home with the kids is tight, and parents are always looking for time-saving ways to make their lives easier. Fortunately parents that employ nannies have an advantage: their nanny. An organized, proactive nanny can help busy families save time and energy. Here are a few ways your nanny might be able to help your family.

Keep up with family laundry. Nannies typically do all of the children’s laundry as part of the traditional nanny job. However, that still leaves Mom or Dad washing, drying and putting away their own clothes, sheets, and towels in the evening or on the weekend. Because laundry requires that you’re home either for long stretches of time or that you do a lot of running in and out throughout the day, it can be an inconvenient and time-intensive chore. By including this in your nanny’s job description, parents can free up a lot of time and enjoy knowing that they’ll actually have clean clothes, sheets and towels when they need them.

Keep an accurate grocery list and household supply list. How many times have you gone to the grocery store or warehouse store only to realize that you didn’t know exactly what you needed? What a waste of time and energy. By using a simple inventory system, your nanny can keep your list up-to-date so you can make sure your pantry and refrigerator are stocked with everything you need to feed the family. She can also keep a running list of household items you need, such as toothpaste, toilet paper, baby wipes and laundry detergent. Putting your nanny in charge of your shopping lists helps you make the most of every trip and eliminates the need for any last minute, end of the day stops.

Handle grocery and household supply shopping. Having your nanny keep your shopping lists up-to-date is a big time saver, and if she also has the time to do the shopping during the day she can save you even more time. Stores are usually less crowded during the day so it’s likely that your nanny can get in and out quicker than you can on the weekend. She can also make it a fun learning experience for your kids too.

Schedule and oversee small household projects. Need to have the cable guy come out and fix a problem, but don’t want to waste a Saturday morning waiting for him? Need to get the air vents cleaned throughout the house, but can’t seem to find a good time to schedule it? Want to get an estimate on how much it will cost to retile the master bathroom, but don’t want to take off work to meet with the contractor? These and similar jobs can easily be handled by your nanny. She has the advantage of being able to be home for long stretches during the day so she can easily accommodate workmen’s flexible scheduling. Allowing her to manage jobs in a way that fits in with her overall schedule helps you without interrupting her daily rhythm.

Keep up with school to dos. Having children in school comes with a lot of extra projects and tasks. Your kids need supplies for the latest project. It’s your turn to bring in the class snack. The afterschool team needs a volunteer to help create the team roster and email regular reminders and updates. The spring play is around the corner and every child is responsible for his own custom costume. Parents who take on these tasks can save lots of time by asking their nanny for help with the logistics and details. This allows the parents to be active in the school community while delegating much of the behind the scenes work to the nanny. No, this isn’t cheating. This is putting your time and energy into what’s most important to your child.

Take on essential shopping and errands. In a busy household, there’s always something that’s needs to be done. Your child needs a gift for an upcoming birthday party, a new winter coat, or a replacement uniform sweater. The home office printer is low on paper and ink. You need to pick up a prescription refill before your business trip. Instead of spending an entire Saturday afternoon getting all of those things done, your nanny can spread the errands out over the work week or can pick up some extra hours in the evening or on a weekend morning to run errands while you spend time relaxing with your family.

Parents who have a nanny have the opportunity to tailor their job description in ways that can really save them time. Remember as you decide what you want your nanny to take on that one person can only do so much. You want your nanny’s first priority to always be your child.

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Tantrum-Proof Travel: Airline Experiments With Kid-Free Zones

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Malaysia’s popular budget airline is introducing kid-free rows for passengers who demand a quiet flight.

International budget airline AirAsia’s slogan “Now Everyone Can Fly,” is about to become obsolete.

To be more accurate, the company should change it to “Now Everyone Can Fly (Unless You Are a Parent Who Wants to Sit Up Front).”

As a marketing gesture to frequent fliers, the carrier just announced that the first seven rows of its coach seats will be designated a “Quiet Zone,” an innocuous euphemism for banning children under age 12. The policy kicks in on February 1, 2013, but those seats can be reserved now.

AirAsia is based in Malaysia, with additional hubs in Thailand and Indonesia. To sit in the Quiet Zone, passengers must pay the same extra seat reservation fees they would to guarantee themselves exit row seats with more legroom. Rival Malaysia Airlines already broke ground on the anti-kid front by banning babies from their first class sections last year.

On the AirAsia website, the kid-free rows are touted as a place for “some peace and quiet for a more pleasant journey with us.”

Ever get kicked in the back? How would you like to be the passenger sitting in front of this girl? (Source: ABC News)

Only time will tell if this move will be a savvy marketing decision or if it will prompt a massive backlash from young families. Traveling with young children can be stressful enough without having extra inconveniences added to the situation.

In a somewhat encouraging online poll at ABC News — Would You Pay Extra to Fly on a Child-Free Flight? — only 7,381 of 24,932 respondents (or 30 percent) said they would go the extra mile to fly with adults only.  If general consumer sentiment matches that, there is little chance that any of the airlines would move to total child-free travel. Not to mention the potential of being slapped with age discrimination suits.

Candidly, parents and nannies must acknowledge there are times when even the most patient caretakers want to pull their hair out over their children’s behavior — especially when there is no place to go for a “time out” and the embarrassing conduct is magnified due to the cramped quarters.

But according to frequent flier Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare, there are two inexcusable moves that many parents make that irritate fellow passengers:

Error #1
“Exercising zero control over kids. This is a major complaint of passengers: Parents who are unwilling or unable to get the little darlings to behave. We get it. Kids act up, they throw tantrums, but nothing is more maddening than parents who just sit there and stare at the meltdown. Sure, sometimes there isn’t much you can to thwart crazed kids, but at least fake it. That’s right, if parents merely look as if they’re trying to stop the insanity, they’ll have the sympathy of fellow passengers.”

Error #2
“Mistaking any part of the plane (beyond the lavatory) as a changing station. Harried parents have been known to change infants on empty airline seats and – brace yourself – on tray tables. Need I say this is totally unacceptable?”

So there you have it.  We were all kids once and certainly even the grumpiest people on the plane will understand that as long as parents and nannies don’t turn a blind eye.

Yet, there’s also something extremely naive about AsiaAir promising a Quiet Zone based on just removing children from the area. Haven’t they ever encountered obnoxious adults, who certainly are not a rarity these days?

**

(Thanksgiving season, one of the busiest travel times of the year, is here. Do you have a traveling with children story to share? Drop us a line at info@enannysource.com)

 

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Expert Insights: Catching Up With Nanny Stella from Nanny 911

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

I first met Nanny Stella several years ago, and from the moment I met her I knew she was the real deal. Over the years we’ve stayed connected, and recently I was able to catch up with her between caring for other people’s babies and caring for her own. Here’s a bit of what she had to say.

eNannySource: What have you been up to since Nanny 911?

Stella: I have been very busy! Initially, I was doing guest appearances and public speaking all over and traveled as far as Indonesia, but I have ultimately been busy getting pregnant and having a baby.  I got pregnant in 2011 via IVF and had an amazing baby boy the day before I turned 47. Professionally, I predominantly consult with families and work as an infant care specialist/doula. I no longer work as a nanny.

eNannySource: Tell me about the training you’re doing for nannies?

Stella: I had initially attempted to train nannies via The Nanny School of Los Angeles some years ago. That didn’t work out and now I’m focusing on doing training events. On November 10, 2012 we’ll be doing a training event in Los Angeles. You can learn more at http://www.thenannyinstitute.com/.

eNannySource: Why is training important for nannies?

Stella: I believe training is important for any professional. I believe that on the job training and academic training go hand in hand.  Experience and education make a better nanny. I believe in education so much so that I went back to college in the UK when I was in my 30′s to become a qualified nanny.

eNannySource: What are your best  tips for those thinking about becoming a nanny?

Stella: First, love children. Second, be a team player. You are there to help parents, not to take over.

Third, get as much education and training as you can. Whether it be food hygiene training or CPR training, education is important. Lastly, be creative.

eNannySource: What did you think of the reality show Beverly Hills Nannies?

Stella: I can’t watch the show. I watched one episode and wanted to throw up. I feel it is offensive to the profession of nannies.

eNannySource: How do you like being a mom? Is it different than being a nanny?

Stella: Being a mum is the best job I have ever had!  It’s my ultimate job. It is different in the sense that I only have to answer to my husband and myself. We are the bosses. It is also different as I don’t get to give him back at the end of the day or at the end of my shift. I am always on duty. The love is different too. I have one previous charge who is one of the loves of my life – but the love for my son is that love time 100 plus.

eNannySource: Is there anything else you want to share?

Stella: Nannying in the UK is a profession. I hope that the USA looks at the nanny role with the same respect as those in UK do. After all it is a very, very important job. You aren’t handling paper or product, you are handling a child, and if a child is a commodity it is certainly a priceless one.

For over 20 years, Nanny Stella has positively impacted the lives of families all over the world with her expertise and passion as a solution-based family consultant. Stella is a real-life British Nanny, and is regarded as one of the top authorities on parenting. As an author, TV star, and consultant to celebrities and families, her renowned parenting methods are accredited and proven. To learn more about Nanny Stella visit www.NannyStella.com.

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Do You Know What to Do If Your Nanny Is Injured on the Job?

Sunday, November 4th, 2012

When any injury occurs, there’s a certain amount of concern felt by all involved parties. When the injured party is your nanny and she was hurt on the job, however, it can be an entirely different ballgame. Suddenly, there’s what seems like a sea of paperwork and bureaucratic red tape to fight your way through, along with the added pressure of finding a way to accommodate your nanny and her injury while finding a substitute for your out-of-commission primary childcare provider.

Have Insurance

One of the first and most important things to do when a domestic worker is injured is to contact your insurance company. Hopefully you’ve been compliant with state and federal tax laws, and have either added a worker’s compensation rider to your existing homeowner’s policy, or have procured adequate worker’s comp insurance through other avenues. Depending on the state in which you reside, worker’s compensation is likely to be a mandatory part of employing a domestic worker; without that coverage, you can find yourself in fairly serious hot water. That being said, the first thing you should do upon discovering that your nanny has been injured is to see that she receives the medical attention she needs, and then you should immediately contact the insurance company that carries your worker’s compensation policy.

Worker’s compensation insurance is designed to cover the medical costs and compensate your nanny for lost wages for such time as she is unable to work, regardless of who is at fault. Whether she was injured as a result of your negligence, by her own fault, or due to an outside factor, she will be provided for under the terms of the policy. In most states, accepting a settlement from your insurance company means that your nanny has forfeited the right to bring civil charges against you for pain and suffering.

Contact Your Attorney

Though it may seem insensitive and unfeeling to call your attorney the moment that your nanny is injured, it’s in your best interest to do just that. Until she’s accepted a worker’s compensation settlement, your nanny could still file a civil suit against you, especially if her injury was the result of unsafe working conditions. Informing an attorney that a domestic employee has been injured on the job and requesting legal counsel is the single most effective way of protecting yourself until your nanny either accepts a worker’s comp settlement or makes the decision to take legal action. Should she choose the latter, you’ll already have an attorney who understands the intricacies of your case and is ready to go to bat for you.

Determine How Long She’ll Be Out of Work

Depending on the nature and severity of her injury, your nanny might be unable to work for an extended period. Her physician should be able to give her an estimate regarding when she’ll be reevaluated and a tentative possible return date, but you’re unlikely to get a more precise time frame if the injury is a fairly serious one. If she’s released to light duty, it’s important that you discuss with both your nanny and her physician what that “light duty” entails, so that you can begin to make plans for either an alternate childcare provider during her convalescence or supplemental care while she’s under restriction. It’s very important that you don’t ask her to perform tasks that could further aggravate her injury, and that you make every possible concession during a restricted or light-duty period. The well-being of your nanny and her future as an employee in your home rests largely upon the way that you react to her injury and the accommodations that you make during this difficult time.

Take Steps to Minimize Risks and Prevent Future Injuries

If the source of your nanny’s injury was something that could have been avoided, it’s a smart move to take immediate steps to eliminate the problem that will prevent any future recurrences. Addressing any safety issues in your home is as important for the well-being of your household as it is for preventing future insurance claims, so it’s best to make any necessary changes as soon as possible.

The laws that govern workers compensation and injured domestic employees vary from state to state, so it’s important to acquaint yourself with the proper procedures and relevant statutes in your area before misfortunes occur. Familiarizing yourself with the laws and regulations as a precaution will eliminate the need to decipher complex wording during the already-stressful time of managing a nanny’s injury.

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