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Debbie Hip

Debbie Hipp
Debbie Hipp worked with TLC for Kids, St. Louis' premiere nanny agency since 2000. Debbie held in depth orientations covering topics such as interviewing, reference checking, payroll and taxes, and background checks. Debbie is the mother of three young children. She has a undergraduate degree in Marketing and a Masters in Business and Administration. She is very excited to be working with findthebestnanny.com

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Safety First When Hiring a Nanny Online

Families everywhere are tightening their belts and saving money wherever they can.  With the help of the internet, people can do almost everything themselves.  For some families that means finding your own nanny or babysitter.  Thousands of parents use websites to search for nannies and babysitters.  These sites give parents immediate access to  sitters in almost every city across the country.  But what kind of screening can these low cost websites really provide?

Jordan Liu a 19 year old male was arrested November 22nd on sexual assault charges.  He is accused of molesting two young Glendale California boys.  Liu was the family’s once-a-month babysitter for almost eight months.   The family hired him using  sittercity.comSittercity.com does an instant background check and cross references the applicants name with state run sex offender’s registry.  

While using a web based childcare matching service or Craigslist may be quick it is not the safest option for families.   Traditional brick and mortar agencies still provide the best option for families.  If you prefer to conduct the search on your own please be aware of the screening promised by the website.

Instant background checks do not cover all jurisdictions.  Employers also need to go back to every state and country where the nanny has previously lived and check those records too. 

Findthebestnanny.com is the only web based nanny agency that doesn’t subscribe to instant background checks.  When employers register with us they understand that we do not screen  any of our candidates.  How could an agency properly interview, screen, and run background checks on hundreds of candidates instantly?

Instead we give the parents the tools and education needed to do the search themselves.  And, if in the end parents decide that they would like to hire a traditional agency to conduct their search they can use Findthebestnanny.com’s parent company TLC For Kids, Inc.

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Posted in Hiring a nanny or babysitter, Parenting, Protecting yourself on the internet | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Proud to be a Nanny

I just saw this as a post on someone’s Facebook page and I had to share it with all of you!!  Please share it with all the childcare workers you know.

 don’t wear power suits, make speeches or drive a fancy car. I’ve never made a “big” sale or been elected to an office, and I don’t “do lunch,” have a corner office, or a beeper. I spend my days wiping noses and drying tears. Giving hugs, and making meals. A good day is one without a temper tantrums, bumps or bruises or potty accidents. People may not think what I do is very important and they may whisper behind my back; ‘what a waste of a good mind’- but I know better! I make a difference because I am changing the world one child at a time. Everyday I’m getting the chance to touch the future. I’m proud to say: “I’m a Nanny!!”

 

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Posted in Todays Nanny | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

December To Do List

Did you wake up this morning and realize…Yikes it’s December!!!  There isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done.   Shopping, cooking, work parties, family gatherings, school programs:  You don’t want to forget anything.   Let Findthebestnanny.com help you clean up your to-do-list.

Make this  holiday season less stressful by hiring a babysitter from Findthebestnanny.com.   Book your sitter, grab some friends or your hubby and get shopping.  Checking off the to do list can be more fun without kids in tow. 

Visit Findthebestnanny.com and search for sitters in your area.    Read their profiles and choose the ones you want to talk to about babysitting.   Next, follow our exclusive Safety First Program for parents.

When searching for holiday babysitters make sure you check the babysitters future schedule.  Will she be around for New Years Eve?  Or maybe be available to help during spring break?  You want to find a babysitter that you can call on a regular basis. 

Findthebestnanny.com recommends that you have about three to five babysitters checked and ready to go for your babysitting needs.

Happy December Shopping!!!

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Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Should Granny be a nanny?

I read an interesting statistic today.  According to the US Census Bureau 30% of preschoolers whose mothers work outside the home are cared for by grandparents.  Wow 30%!!  I know my mother watched two of my three kids one day a week.  It was wonderful seeing her interact with them on a weekly basis.   But I also know it got to be too much for her. 

I can certainly see the benefits of having grandparents care for your little ones.  It would be hard to find a more loving and attentive nanny than Grandma!   In today’s economy Grandma and Grandpa are also a more affordable option than daycare. 

But I also worry about the cons.  I know Grandparents want to help but can they afford to not be working at this time?  Also, does taking care of babies everyday what they really want to do in their “golden years?”  And does being the main caregiver and disciplinarian put a strain on the relationship?

Tell me what you think about granny nanny?

 

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Posted in Hiring a nanny or babysitter, Todays Nanny | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Halloween!!

Today is the day! Kids young and old have been looking forward to halloween night for weeks!
Nannies make sure you get a cute picture of the little ones in their costume. Then this week you can work on a fun picture frame and give it to mom and dad. They will love it!
Kids grow up so fast and parents want to hold on to these memories of little princesses and superheros forever.

Have a great night everyone and be safe.
Findthebestnanny.com

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Time Saving Tip When Searching for a Nanny

When looking for a nanny or babysitter through a national website like Findthebestnanny.com you could receive an overwhelming amount of interest. Most families hear from candidates within hours of their job post going live. With your busy work and family schedule how can you manage?

One thing you can do is make your job description and family lifestyle categories detailed!! Be precise about your days, hours, and salary. Let the nannies know what are looking for and how you run your home. If you prefer an action filled day describe what you would like your children to be doing. If you are hiring a nanny so your child can relax in their home environment say it.
Being specific about these things (and others like your personality) on your application for a nanny will help filter out candidates that aren’t a good match for you.

Parents often say to me they want to see a lot of candidates. I like to explain that seeing candidates that are a good match saves time and is easier on everyone than seeing a lot of candidates.

Which would you prefer?

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Posted in Hiring a nanny or babysitter | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Is Apple Juice Safe to Drink?

I’m sure most parents and nannies by now have heard the controversy surrounding kids drinking apple juice. 

Dr. Oz a very popular doctor and television host commissioned his own study on the levels of arsenic in apple juice.   He concluded that there are an unhealthy amount of arsenic found in kids apple juices.  However the FDA and most nutritionists disagree and feel that apple juice is safe for kids to drink.  Click here for a Dr.s Q & A session on this hot debate. 

I was wondering what moms and nannies feel about this topic.  Has Dr. Oz gone to far?  Have you stopped giving your kids apple juice? 

I know that I mix the apple juice with water in our house to try keep the sugar levels down, but I never worried about arsenic levels before.

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Posted in Child health and safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Most people connect separation anxiety with infants.  However, it is normal for kids to experience separation anxiety throughout different times in their lives.  It can occur again at 3-4 years old, 5-7 and again from 11-14.  The older ages correspond with starting school for the first time and again when starting middle school or high school.  

If you have a child that is suffering from separation anxiety here are some things you can do to help. 

1. Start a countdown.  Whether it’s starting school, the first day with a new nanny or babysitter or going to a new daycare.  This will help them get used to the idea that you are leaving.

2. Prepare them as much as possible.  If they are starting school try to visit the classroom and teacher ahead of time.  Or meet some of the other students.  Let your child know what will happen during the day so that the fear of the unknown doesn’t take over.  If it’s a situation where mommy and daddy are going to work have the nanny over a few times before her first day, 

3. Don’t exaggerate the good-bye.  Everyone(teachers, psychologists and nannies) agree ”don’t drag out your good-bye. ” Say a quick farewell and assure them that you will be back.  Lingering or showing any hesitation shows your child uncertainty.  

4. Don’t tell your child you will miss them or go overboard on your reunion.  If a you talk about how much you missed them your child might feel guilty about leaving you.  Not the feeling we want on a first day!

It may take time for your child to get used to the separation.  If the fear doesn’t go away after 4 weeks it’s time to consult an expert. 

If you have any tips on how to help with separation anxiety please share them with us.

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Posted in Behavior, Child health and safety, School | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Back to School!

Yikes! It’s August and that means back to school time.  Stores have school supplies out and teachers are getting their classrooms ready.  Are you ready for school to start this year?

The first thing working parents can do ensure a great school year is to line up childcare.  Will you need after school care?  Will you need back up care for school holidays?  Or last minute emergency sick care? Findthebestnanny.com can help you find nannies and babysitters for the school year.

The second thing you should do is get organized!  A few weeks before school starts go through your “piles.”  Mine are in the kitchen on the counter.  Go through and declutter.  Anything  from last school year or summer camps can be trashed.   Things that you thought you were going to do this summer and didn’t can be thrown away.  You and you kids can do the same thing in their rooms.   Projects from the previous school year can be packed away or recycled to make room for things from this upcoming year.

Pull out anything you will need to start this school year.  Things like your school supply list, immunization records, reading lists, and the school calender.  Review these papers and make sure you have everything you need to get the school year started on the right foot!

Share with us your back to school tips!

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Posted in Parenting | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Are we praising kids too much?

When looking for a babysitter you want to find someone who shares your parenting style and technique.  Often times I have parents who say they want their kids to hear positive praise throughout the day.

This has become a hot topic on parenting blogs.  At school and on the field I’m  hearing more and more parents talk about how kids these days are told “good job” for everything.  Are we praising kids too much and raising them to expect constant approval.   I tend to agree and yet find myself guilty of this at the same time.

Parenting Coach Alison Astair wrote an interesting article on this topic and I’m sharing some of her points here with you.

You do want your children to feel good about themselves and what they have accomplished, but they don’t need to be praised for every little thing they do every day. Praise can work for shaping and changing a behavior and discouraging misbehavior, but it’s unlikely to be effective for long. You ultimately want a child to behave because it’s the right thing to do.

Next time you find yourself wanting to say “good job” try this instead

  • Don’t say anything Children don’t need to be praised for every little thing they do.  A smile goes a long way.
  • State what you saw. “You put your shirt on by yourself.”  “You remembered your backpack.”
  • Ask more and talk less.  “Was it hard to build the blocks so high?”  “How did you figure that out?

REMEMBER TO ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION:

Are your words and reactions helping your child feel good about themselves or are they constantly looking to you for approval?

What do you think?  Is there such thing as too much praise for kids?  Share with me your thoughts.

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Posted in Behavior, Hiring a nanny or babysitter, Parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
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