The Help Company Blog

Does the below scenario sound all too familiar?

“…Children’s laundry is a typical part of a nanny’s job. The mother reported that she told the nanny, ‘If you have time, would you mind doing the children’s laundry?’ The nanny apparently had not had time. The laundry remained undone.

The agent said that she explained to the mother that she had to be more direct and tell the nanny that doing the laundry was part of her job. This was a brilliant woman, an attorney. But the mother’s response was a timid and uncertain: ‘Oh. All right, I guess.’ ” 

One of our lovely clients brought a NY Times article to our attention, which discusses the difficulties of employer, employee communication in the home. Many of our clients battle with what their needs and wants are, while trying not to hurt their employee’s feelings. Why is it so hard to ask your housekeeper or nanny to throw away the spoiled milk? Or to put a new paper towel roll on when the other runs out?

We think it is vital that whomever you employ in your home- whether it is a housekeeper, nanny, even a part time employee, that you have open and clear lines of communication. It is the responsibility of both the nanny and the parents to speak up when something is bothering them- otherwise it will only turn into a bigger issue in the future.

In these economic times, making your own Valentine’s Day gifts not only saves money, but is also a fun afternoon art project. Here are a few that we think are creative and cute. All projects take approximately an hour.

Clap Happy

Materials Needed:

• Card stock
• Marker
• Tube of lotion or your choice of gift (perfume, candy, book, etc.)
• Double-sided tape

Instructions:

• Trace your child’s hand on card stock.
• Cut out the traced hand and use it as a template to make a second hand.
• Write a message with marker. 
• Affix the hands to a tube of lotion and add card stock hearts with double-sided tape.

Suggested Messages:
“You deserve a hand!” “Hands down, you’re the best.” “I’ve got to hand it to you!”

Valentine’s Butterflies

Materials Needed:

• Sticks of gum
• Licorice strings
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Heart stickers
• Tape

Instructions:

• Place two pieces of string licorice between two sticks of gum, taping the top and bottom closed to secure the antennae in place.
• Next, cut two heart-shaped wings from construction paper, write your valentine message on them, and secure them to the top stick of gum with a heart sticker.
• Add other stickers to give personality to your butterfly.

The Write Card

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard Pencil (to use)
• Colored card stock
• Scissors
• Markers or metallic pens
• Stickers
• Hole punch

Instructions:

• Make a template for your kids to trace around:
• Cut out a cardboard heart.
• Have your child trace the heart onto card stock and cut it out.
• Decorate with pens and stickers.
• Use the hole punch to make holes on each side of the heart and slide the cool pencil through.

The debate about when a child is “too old” to be breastfed is always an interesting one. A new study in Australia proves that breastfeeding your baby for more than 6 months has long term benefits including a stronger mother-child bond and having a greater mental health long term. Breastfeeding supposedly also helps babies deal with stress better.

At the end of the day, how long a mother chooses to breastfeed is entirely her decision and what she feels most comfortable with. We just like to share interesting articles like this with you.

Click on Icon to Read Full Article

How about tackling a little vegetable plot with the little ones? Or just potting up some herbs? Maybe your creature-loving kid would enjoy a little pest-hunting? Look for tons of info and simple how-to primers at kidsgardening.com (click on photo to take you to the site.) Created by the National Gardening Association, this website is friendly and comprehensive—and features an extensive “family room” designed for parents who want to help their kids grow. Even if all they end up doing is moving dirt around, your kids will benefit from stopping for a little while and (figuratively, at least) smelling the roses.

Click on the above image to read an article from this weekend’s LA TIMES HOME section, this article exemplifies the state of today’s economy and it’s affect on domestic workers.

People are trying to save a buck here and there by combining all household chores into one position.  Homeowners want one person that will care for children, clean up, cook, and run errands.  In a better economy, there would have been a nanny for the children, a housekeeper to clean, a chef for the cooking, and a personal assistant to take care of other needs within the home.

“The typical English nanny or governess used to roll her eyes when I’d ask if she’d be open to cleaning,” says Claudia Kahn, owner of the Help Co. “Now they’re all saying, ‘Send me on the interview.’ “