UltimateMama loves buying her two girls cute Valentine’s Day gifts that are not candy-related. It is always a nice surprise to have some new Living Royal socks, Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty, and Mia hair ties!
Posts tagged ‘Kristen Duca’
Childcare bliss – How to select the right caregiver for your family
By Kristen J. Duca
Selecting a caregiver for your child is one of the most important decisions many families will make. Whether you need childcare because you are returning to work, craving some time to yourself, or spending some time with your significant other, you will want to find the ideal caretaker for your child. Below are a few tips to help you navigate the nanny search:
One size does not fit all
A multitude of childcare possibilities exist for you to consider, and of course there are pluses and minuses to each of them. Just remember that you are in the driver’s seat and can choose the path that best fits your family’s needs. Hiring a caregiver to look after your child is a very personal decision. Every family has its own dynamics and unique views on parenting. Feel secure and confident in your child-rearing decisions.
Be patient
Do not rush the childcare search. Finding the ideal person to take care of your little one will take time and patience. It is important to be prepared and detailed in your search. Finding the ideal caretaker for your child requires a lot of time and hard work. However, if you put the effort into the search up front, you will be rewarded with the result.
Lay groundwork
Laying the groundwork toward building the ideal childcare situation is critical.
Formulating a clear description of your childcare needs now will save you loads of future frustration. You can zero in on exactly what type of situation you need to make sure your household runs smoothly and happily.
The ideal or “perfect” childcare situation depends on you and how specific you are in recognizing and expressing your needs, as well as on how your family spends its time. It is important that before you start your childcare search you set aside time to sit down and ponder what it is that you are hiring for and develop interview questions based on your needs.
Interview candidates thoroughly
Always remember to conduct a thorough interview and check references. You will want to conduct interviews (by phone, in person, or via webcam) with potential candidates in order to screen them through a series of questions. You need to ask prospective candidates the right questions in order to narrow down your list and eventually pick a suitable nanny for your family.
If possible, try to interview candidates in person so you can see their immediate reactions, facial expressions, and overall poise. These interviews do not have to be conducted in your home. You can always meet up at a local diner or coffee shop or get together at another mutually convenient location such as a library or bookstore.
Be reasonable
Be aware of what assistance you are asking for, and make sure it is reasonable. To put it bluntly, if you are not willing or able to do it all, then your childcare provider should not be expected to either.
Childcare providers are not superheroes. They are humans who have strengths, weaknesses, and feelings, just like you. As a rule of thumb, it is generally never a good idea to ask your childcare provider to do tasks that you cannot handle yourself.
Understand that your childcare situation will evolve
As your child changes or your family dynamics change, your childcare needs will change. These childcare needs will constantly evolve as your child blossoms through the stages of life. It is important to realize that you are not pigeonholed into the first childcare situation you created at a specific point in time.
A situation that works for your newborn child will likely need to be scrapped, tweaked, or revised as your child starts school. You may have to realize that expecting the unexpected and having the ability to be nimble is crucial to formulating the right childcare situation at any given point in time.
Go with your gut
You may luck out and hire the first nanny you meet, or you might have to interview several candidates. Everyone has a different experience, but if you are dedicated to the childcare search, you will find the best candidate for your family.
Always go with your gut, and trust your instincts.
Trial
Suggest the nanny candidate you are interested in start working with your family on a trial basis so you can ensure you find the right fit for your family.
A trial period of a few days, a few weeks, or even a month is a good way to find out if your nanny’s personality and style fit well with your family’s. Remember that a happy child makes for a happy parent!
BIO: New York-based working mother Kristen Duca and her husband are the parents of two girls. Kristen has worked in the financial services industry for two decades in addition to serving as a contributing writer for New York area publications. She is the author of “Ultimate Nanny: How to Find, Interview, and Manage the Most Important Person You Will Ever Hire – Your Child’s Nanny” available on amazon.com now. Get the inside scoop on how develop the right criteria, identify, and select the ultimate nanny.
02-01-17 Childcare Bliss – Manhattan Family-KJD article
http://www.nyparenting.com/assets/print/manhattan/2017_02_mf.pdf
Finding the right caregiver for your special-needs child
By Kristen J. Duca
Finding the ideal caretaker for your child requires a lot of time and hard work. However, if you put the effort into the search up front, you will be rewarded with the result.
If you have a child with special needs, behavioral issues, or health/medical concerns, you should communicate that to the childcare candidate in the initial conversation. Ask her directly if she is comfortable taking care of a child with certain needs. If she is at all hesitant or expresses concern about her abilities, then she may not be the right fit for your child, so move on to the next candidate.
Depending on your child’s situation, you may want to focus on hiring a caregiver with experience in dealing with children with special needs and preferably someone who has taken care of a child with similar issues to yours (realizing that all children are unique). Parents of a special-needs child will want to use extra due diligence to find a childcare provider who could appropriately care for their child with patience, maturity, and compassion.
Additionally, since family safety is important realize that conducting a background check on the childcare candidate as well as checking references may be a good idea for your piece of mind.
Here are some important things to look out for when hiring a caregiver for your special-needs child:
Formal Certifications or Degrees
You will want to evaluate whether or not a childcare provider with a medical background or advanced educational degrees is the ideal hire for your situation. If it is then target your search accordingly by networking via word of mouth (friends/relatives); referrals from other parents or childcare providers who understand your situation; special needs support groups; university bulletin boards or college newspapers; local medical or special needs schools; physicians’ offices; birthing centers; nurses; health-care workers; community or religious centers; agencies (be prepared to pay appropriate fees); or online childcare-service providers. Understand that depending on the situation you may need to pay more for a highly skilled childcare provider.
If you do not feel a childcare provider with a formal educational history is necessary you still should make sure the candidate is willing to sharpen her basic skills. Some local doctor’s offices, hospitals, or community groups offer classes in childcare (sometimes with a focus on special needs), child safety, first aid, or CPR on a regular basis. If the candidate lacks formal training, you should ask her up front if she would attend a class or session and offer to pay her tuition.
If the candidate took childcare, child safety, first aid, or CPR training a long time ago, then see if she would be willing to take a refresher course. Tell her that you would be happy to sign her up and compensate her for any fees. Let her know that the class could be taken at a time that would work with her schedule. Make sure she realizes that refresher classes are a great way to reinforce information and techniques that she might have previously learned.
Ability to Nuture
During an interview, it may be hard to judge if the childcare candidate is nurturing. If you have a young baby, then toward the end of the interview, hand the baby over to the candidate and watch how they both respond. Watch her interact with your baby, and take note of her demeanor. Make sure you feel comfortable with the way the caregiver supported your baby’s head and neck. Take note if the caregiver seems gentle or tender. Notice if her movements seem natural.
If you have an older child, you should ask the candidate to interact with him or her by playing a game, doing a project, or participating in a favorite activity with the child. Once again, see how she acts around your child and evaluate whether she would be a good fit. Notice if she tried to engage your child in lively conversation. If the child had questions, think about if she answered them in a clear and pleasant manner. Evaluate if she fully engaged your child in the activity and, if needed, adapted it to better suit your child. Also, you will want to see if she seemed patient as well as encouraging.
Gauging Common Sense
Good judgment and the ability to make rational, wise decisions can be hard to assess in an interview. You will likely have to go with your gut feeling after meeting the candidate. It is a good idea to make unannounced visits from time to time. Also, ask others who may be around your child and childcare provider how they think the relationship is working. Most likely, you will want a situation that provides structure or predictability for your special needs child that makes him or her feel comfortable. The childcare candidate must be able to assess the child’s abilities and create an ideal environment for them to grow.
Communication Skills
You may want to investigate whether or not the chidcare candidate feels comfortable among professionals who may play important roles in the child’s life. Depending on the child’s specific needs, he or she may be in regular contact with speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, teacher aides, and various doctors or medical professionals. Make sure the childcare candidate can work well with various professionals as well as communicate any important information from the child’s sessions or interactions back to you.
Capacity to Deal with Difficult Situations
As any parent knows, every day with a child is different, and things do not always go as planned. It is important to discuss your child’s disposition with the caregiver. As she spends more time alone with your child, she will learn how your child reacts to certain situations.
You should get an idea of how the caregiver would deal with a difficult and realistic situation involving your child by asking her situational interview questions regarding such topics as discipline, frustration, crying, accidents, and so on. Carefully listen to her responses and evaluate if you believe her answers or reactions make sense. Perhaps she can offer creative solutions that you may not have thought of trying with your child.
Safety First
Asking the childcare candidate a situational question regarding how she dealt with an emergency situation tests her ability to handle situations under pressure. Make sure that you communicate your family’s safety rules to the caregiver. Specifically, tell the caregiver what your child can or cannot do inside or outside your home. You should also detail any dietary habits or restrictions or medications that are important for the caregiver to be aware of when watching your child.
Establish a relationship with the caregiver in which she knows she should always ask for help if she needs it. Additionally, remember to always keep your cell phone on and instruct the caregiver to do the same. Make sure the communication lines are always open between you and your caregiver. Raising and caring for your child is a team effort. Safety should always come first.
New York-based working mother Kristen Duca is the author of “Ultimate Nanny: How to Find, Interview, and Manage the Most Important Person You Will Ever Hire – Your Child’s Nanny” available on amazon.com now. Get the inside scoop on how develop the right criteria, identify, and select the ultimate nanny.
http://www.nyparenting.com/assets/print/lispecial/2016_11_lisc.pdf
UltimateMama wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! And easy way to get in the Thanksgiving spirit (not to mention a great centerpiece for your table or buffet) is by decorating cupcakes with Thanksgiving colors! Red, orange, and yellow frosting make for a beautiful and delicious fall treat to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy!
In my new book “Ultimate Nanny: How to Find, Interview, and Manage the Most Important Person You Will Ever Hire — Your Child’s Nanny” which is on Amazon.com now (by Kristen J. Duca) I help parents and guardians navigate the childcare search in an organized manner.
Think about your family’s needs before starting your childcare search. You will want to take a moment to reflect on the following:
Your child/children: What are their ages, developmental stages, and needs?
You/your partner: What are your work/social schedules? Do you have flexibility in the hours you need childcare help?
Your family: Are you hiring solely for childcare? Do you also need assistance with housekeeping, cooking, cleaning, pet care, and errands?
Layers of help: Are their suitable, willing family members or friends nearby who can help you in a pinch?
It may take time and patience to find, interview, and manage the ideal childcare provider for your household but it is worth it in the end.
Read the full Care.com article today and head to Amazon.com to order the book “Ultimate Nanny”!
Oct
06
Ultimate Breakfast Smile
UltimateMama loves serving her children fun breakfast smiles on the weekend – – usually before sporting events. Recently, UltimateMama was able to share her morning creativity with her daughter’s friend who slept over. She was delighted! All it takes for a quick, easy, and cute breakfast is a little turkey bacon (hair), blueberries (nose), scrambled eggs (eyes), and half a donut (mouth).
Aug
07
Ultimate Three Berry Pie
UltimateMama and her kids had a fun time berry picking at 7 Ponds Farm in Water Mill, NY last week! With so many berries we brainstormed recipe ideas but ultimately came up with one of our own. A quick and easy Three Berry Pie that pleases everyone – recipe as follows:
2 Deep dish pie shells (approximately 9 inches each)
For the filling:
2 Cups of blueberries
2 Cups of blackberries
2 Cups of raspberries
2/3 Cups of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
For the topping:
1 Cup brown sugar
1/2 Cup of white flour
1 Cup of oats (we used old fashioned oatmeal)
1/2 cup melted, unsalted butter
Instructions
Preheat oven to 370
Use a big mixing bowl and a wooden spoon and mix all the topping ingredients together.
On the stove top in a medium to large pot cook all the filling ingredients on medium heat.
Pour filling into the 2 pie crusts.
Use a wooden spoon and gently put the topping on top of the filling in the pies.
Bake in the oven on the middle rack for approximately 35 minutes.
Cool or serve warm.
Store in refrigerator.
UltimateMama knows summertime is just as chaotic as the rest of the year so she’s happy when she can involve her kids in creating a meal with “leftovers”. Soft tacos are an easy, appetizing meal to make with leftover kebobs! All you need is the following:
– Corn or flour tortillas
– Leftover vegetables, meat, or seafood from kebobs (cut into strips or bite size pieces from the kebobs)
– Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or monterey jack)
– Olives and/or salsa (if desired)
To do: Heat up your vegetables, seafood, and meat. Have your child grab a tortilla and fill it with the heated vegetables, seafood, and meat. Sprinkle some cheese. Add olives or salsa if desired! Also, if you want to melt the contents of your tortilla it is easy to do just that on a stovetop, in an oven, or on a grill but be careful it doesn’t burn!
UltimateMama loves to involve her two kids in making dinner. Not only is it good for kids to learn the importance of healthy cooking at a young age but also it offers immediate gratification. Now that we are in the thick of summer, UltimateMama wanted to share her quick, easy kabob creation with you. Steps are as follows:
– Preheat your grill (UltimateMama uses charcoal as the taste can’t be beat — always remember to be careful with kids around grills)
– Grab a bunch of wooden skewers (Roland Foods Bamboo skewers work well)
– Precut vegetables into cubes (green zucchini, yellow zucchini), square pieces (red peppers, green peppers, yellow peppers, orange peppers, onions), or remove stems (mushrooms)
– For Chicken Kabobs: Dice the chicken
– For Shrimp Kabobs: peel and devein the shrimp
** (always tell your children to be careful with handling uncooked meat and seafood–wash hands thoroughly both before and after)
– Create an assembly line and have each child grab a skewer and assemble it as they wish
– Grill until thoroughly cooked!
– Enjoy!
UltimateMama wants to let you know that her book, “Ultimate Nanny: How to Find, Interview, and Manage the Most Important Person You Will Ever Hire — Your Child’s Nanny” is now available on Amazon.com.
Learn how to find, interview, and manage the most important person you will ever hire — your child’s nanny.
Buy it today for yourself or a friend!
