If I'm not blogging, you can find me at my day job as a nanny. I take care of a 5 (and three quarters, very important, you know) year old and her baby sister. I recently celebrated my 5th anniversary of working for them! And over the years of being a nanny, I have figured out a few tricks. Here are 3 of them:
1: 1-2-3-Recipes
Kids LOVE to help you. But they are super impatient and have short attention spans. Knock out all 3 of these by using 1-2-3 recipes--these are recipes that have 3 ingredients or fewer. Think banana+egg=pancakes, frozen banana+blender=ice cream, and cake/cupcake/etc in a mug. Kids will learn skills such as teamwork, leadership, patience, and following directions, just to name a few. And if they get messy, that's part of the fun.
Kids are messy, messy, messy (and adorable) humans beings. One of my jobs is to help with the girls' laundry. Kid clothes can be pricey, given how fast they grow, so you want them to look nice and last--a must if the clothes will be passed down to siblings.
Growing up, we had clothing stains like grass, ketchup, or clay. But today, it is totally different. Kids of this generation have those too, but they also have new types of stains like organic baby food (purple carrots with ancient grains anyone?), pressed juices, and kale everything. Luckily, I am a big believer in Shout® to help me out. Shout® is a trusted stain remover and is the only brand I rely on to pre-treat stains and treat stains on the go. The stains disappear and I feel confident I can handle any new stain that comes my way. When I'm out and about with the kids, I keep a stash of Shout® Wipe & Go wipes in my nanny bag.
3: Scrubs
Kids, especially babies, have accidents. The Shout® Wipes are excellent for that. And they somehow always seem to have accidents ON YOU. This is where a pair of scrubs (like you'd see at a doctor's office) come in. Get a cheap pair and keep them in your car for such occasions. I swear by this tip. Put on your scrubs, pre-treat your clothes with Shout® and throw them in the wash. You do not want to wear wet or soiled clothes for the rest of your work day. Trust me on this one. Shout® gives kids the freedom to have fun and get
messy, and it gives parents peace of mind knowing that stains will be gone with a few sprays.
Love those on the go wipes - I need that for myself haha! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas! I always keep a shout wipe in my purse for 'just in case' situations!
ReplyDeleteI try to always have these with me because there will inevitably always be a spill, and they are so great!
ReplyDeletexo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I live by my Shout Wipes! I almost always spill something or end up with a random stain on my outfit so those wipes are perfect!
ReplyDelete<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
I respect the work you do. I lack the patience to deal with children; they demand so much attention. I'm exhausted after just one hour with them.
ReplyDeleteI need the scrubs!! So many messes all the time! And sticky hand prints everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I could definitely use these with my kids. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I have such little patience for messy kids I don't see how you do it! Haha you go girl.
ReplyDeleteBreakfast at Gracey's
I am a huge fan of those Shout & Go wipes... I am a mess - always :)
ReplyDeleteThese products look like they would be great for kids! I can't live without Color Catchers -- I will make a special trip to the store if I am out! I was just with my baby cousins, 6 months and 1 year, over the weekend and I can't even count the number of messes that were made!! Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeletexo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I love the Shout Wipe & Go's! I keep 'em on hand at all times. :)
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I used to use shout all the time. I'm an oxiclean kind of girl now.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home
These are great tips, and I definitely need to get those wipe and go packs--those would come in very handy! I love your 1-2-3 recipe ideas too!
ReplyDeleteThose on the go wipes are a huge lifesaver! Great tips girl :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that's what you did during the day. Great tips Elle! I definitely love the easy recipes, my nephews love to cook and get their hands in everything. :) x/Madison
ReplyDeleteI keep some shout wipes to go with me at all times because I am an adult child! ;)
ReplyDeleteI need to get some of those wipes! I'm always spilling stuff on myself!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
i need those wipe things. i literally just spilled tomato soup all over my (white) blouse. rage.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I didn't know you were a nanny. Nannies are so important to our kids' upbringing and education. These are excellent tips, too.
ReplyDeleteWorking with children would be so challenging at the same time so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tips as always;)
True, kids love recipes and yes, they are messy :) I used to be a school teacher for many years and yes, these tips are perfect! I am sure that the product helps a lot! Accidents do happen and sometimes on us or in the middle of the class! So nice that you are there for these two lovely ones! I bet you love them and that they love you back!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
So agree about the kiddos being so messy. I swear....they're like magnets, eh? :D
ReplyDeleteThe 1-2-3 recipes sound fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea about keeping the pair of scrubs in your car!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch great tips! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ meandmr.com
Love all these ideas. Shout is amazing for stains. I love the 1-2-3 idea! And I love making pancakes with banana and eggs, I always add oats in mine, if you even need a '3' for that recipe haha!
ReplyDeleteI love the shout to go wipes!! They are constantly saving me...especially in the office.
ReplyDeleteI love this nanny-centered post! :) When Mallory was a baby I always had a change of clothes with me because I was always covered in spit up or... well... you know. Other things that come out of babies. Ha! Now that both kids are older, I don't worry about a change of clothes anymore, but I think scrubs would've been a great idea! And I am a fan of Shout too when it comes to serious stains!
ReplyDelete